The lake Isle of Innisfree Question Answer | Assamese Medium | Class 9

CLASS 9 ENGLISH ASSAMESE MEDIUM

Manoj koch

The Lake Isle of Innisfree

By William Butler Yeats

I will arise and go now, and go to Innisfree,

And a small cabin build there, of clay and wattles made:

Nine bean-rows will I have there, a hive for the honeybee,

And live alone in the bee-loud glade.

And I shall have some peace there, for peace comes dropping slow,

Dropping from the veils of the morning to where the cricket sings;

There midnight's all a glimmer, and noon a purple glow,

And evenings full of the linnet's wings.

I will arise and go now, for always night and day

I hear lake water lapping with low sounds by the shore;

While I stand on the roadway, or on the pavements grey,

I hear it in the deep heart's core.

GLOSSARY

wattles: twisted sticks for making fences, walls

glade: clearing; open space

linnet: a small brown and grey bird with a short beak

the lake isle of innisfree summary stanza wise

I. Question Answers:

1. What kind of place is Innisfree?

(i) The three things the poet wants to do when he goes back there (stanza I):

The poet wants to build a small cabin made of clay and wattles (twisted sticks) to live in.
He plans to have nine bean rows to grow his food.
He wishes to keep a hive for honeybees, living alone in harmony with nature, in a quiet open space.

(ii) What he hears and sees there and its effect on him (stanza II):

The poet hears peace descending slowly, like the quiet sounds of the morning. He hears the crickets singing, and the evenings are filled with the sound of Linnet’s wings (a small bird).
He sees the midnight's glimmering stars, the purple glow of noon, and the movement of birds. These sights and sounds give him a sense of calm and inner peace, away from the chaos of modern life.

(iii) What he hears in his "heart's core" even when he is far away from Innisfree (stanza III):

Even when the poet is far away from Innisfree, standing on the grey city pavements, he can still hear the soft sound of the lake water lapping against the shore. This sound stays with him in his "heart's core", reminding him constantly of the tranquillity and beauty of Innisfree.

2. How does the poet contrast Innisfree with where he now stands? (Stanza III):

Innisfree is described as a natural, peaceful haven filled with the calming sounds of water, birds, and nature. It offers a retreat into simplicity and tranquillity.
In contrast, where the poet now stands is in the city, on grey, lifeless pavements, surrounded by the noise and rush of urban life. The city represents a dull, mechanical existence, far removed from the peaceful beauty of Innisfree.

3. Do you think Innisfree is only a place or a state of mind? Does the poet actually miss the place of his boyhood days?

Innisfree is not just a physical place, but also a state of mind for the poet. It symbolizes an ideal of peace and simplicity that he longs for, away from the stress and busyness of the city.
Yes, the poet misses the place from his boyhood days. Even though he is far away from Innisfree, the memory of its peace and beauty lingers in his heart's core, suggesting a deep emotional attachment to the place.

1. Look at the words the poet uses to describe what he sees and hears at Innisfree:

(i) Bee-loud glade:

This phrase creates the image of an open, quiet space where the buzzing of bees fills the air. It evokes a sense of natural harmony and peaceful solitude.

(ii) Evenings full of the linnet’s wings:

This phrase paints a picture of the evening sky filled with the movement and soft fluttering of linnet birds. It suggests a calm, serene evening where nature is alive and beautiful.

(iii) Lake water lapping with low sounds:

This phrase gives the image of a quiet lake, with gentle waves lapping against the shore. The sound is soft and soothing, contributing to the peaceful atmosphere of Innisfree.

2. Look at these words:

"Peace comes dropping slow, Dropping from the veils of the morning to where the cricket sings"

These words suggest that peace comes to the poet in a gradual, gentle manner, much like the morning mist (veils) that slowly spreads over the land. The poet experiences this peace in the quiet of the morning, accompanied by the sound of crickets singing.
The phrase "dropping from the veils of the morning" means that peace is like a mist or light fog that slowly descends in the early hours of the day, bringing calmness with it.
"To where the cricket sings" refers to the quiet natural setting, where the only sound is the crickets chirping, symbolizing the stillness and serenity of the place. This emphasizes the deep, slow-moving peace that the poet longs for in the tranquil surroundings of Innisfree.

MCQs on "The Lake Isle of Innisfree"

What does the poet plan to build at Innisfree?
a) A mansion
b) A cabin made of clay and wattles
c) A houseboat
d) A castle
Answer: b) A cabin made of clay and wattles
How many bean rows does the poet intend to have at Innisfree?
a) Five
b) Nine
c) Twelve
d) Twenty
Answer: b) Nine
What kind of sound fills the glade at Innisfree?
a) Bird songs
b) The sound of the lake
c) The buzz of bees
d) The wind through the trees
Answer: c) The buzz of bees
What time of day does the poet describe as having a "purple glow"?
a) Morning
b) Afternoon
c) Noon
d) Evening
Answer: c) Noon
What bird does the poet mention filling the evenings with its wings?
a) Sparrow
b) Linnet
c) Nightingale
d) Pigeon
Answer: b) Linnet
What does the poet hear "in the deep heart’s core"?
a) The wind blowing
b) The bees buzzing
c) The lake water lapping by the shore
d) The linnet’s song
Answer: c) The lake water lapping by the shore
What kind of place is the poet standing in when he hears the sounds of Innisfree in his heart?
a) A busy street
b) A meadow
c) A forest
d) On grey pavements
Answer: d) On grey pavements
Which natural element symbolizes peace in the poem?
a) The trees
b) The mist (veils) of the morning
c) The waves
d) The flowers
Answer: b) The mist (veils) of the morning
What is the primary emotion that the poet feels towards Innisfree?
a) Fear
b) Longing
c) Anger
d) Indifference
Answer: b) Longing
What effect does Innisfree have on the poet even when he is far away from it?
a) It fills him with anxiety.
b) It makes him forget the city.
c) It provides him inner peace.
d) It fills him with curiosity.
Answer: c) It provides him inner peace.

Short Question-Answers

What does the poet plan to do at Innisfree?
- Answer: The poet plans to build a small cabin made of clay and wattles, grow nine bean-rows, keep a hive for honeybees, and live alone in peace and harmony with nature.
How does the poet describe the atmosphere of Innisfree?
- Answer: The poet describes Innisfree as a peaceful, natural place with the sounds of bees, crickets, and birds. The midnight glimmers, noon has a purple glow, and the evenings are filled with the soft fluttering of linnet’s wings.
What is the significance of the phrase "bee-loud glade"?
- Answer: The phrase "bee-loud glade" signifies the quiet, peaceful nature of Innisfree, where the sound of bees buzzing fills the air in an open, tranquil space.
Why does the poet want to go to Innisfree?
- Answer: The poet longs to go to Innisfree to escape the noise and chaos of city life and to find peace and solitude in nature.
What does the poet hear in his "heart’s core" even when he is far from Innisfree?
- Answer: The poet hears the sound of lake water lapping softly by the shore, a sound that stays with him deeply, even when he is far away, standing on the grey pavements of the city.
What does the poet mean by "peace comes dropping slow"?
- Answer: The poet means that peace comes gradually and gently, like the morning mist or dew. It descends slowly, bringing a sense of calm and tranquility.
What contrast does the poet draw between Innisfree and the city?
- Answer: The poet contrasts the natural beauty and tranquility of Innisfree with the dull, lifeless grey pavements of the city, where he feels disconnected from nature and peace.
How does the poet describe the sounds of Innisfree?
- Answer: The poet describes the sounds of Innisfree as the lapping of lake water, the buzzing of bees, the chirping of crickets, and the fluttering wings of linnets, all of which contribute to the peaceful atmosphere.
What does "purple glow" refer to in the poem?
- Answer: The "purple glow" refers to the soft, warm light of the sun at noon, reflecting on the landscape, enhancing the beauty of nature at Innisfree.
What does the poet stand on in the city, and how does it affect him?

Answer: The poet stands on the grey pavements in the city, which symbolizes a lifeless, mechanical existence. This contrast makes him long for the peace and beauty of Innisfree, which he carries in his heart.

Extra Question Answers

What does the poet wish to escape from, and why does he choose Innisfree as his destination?
- Answer:
  The poet, William Butler Yeats, wishes to escape from the chaos, noise, and dullness of urban life. He contrasts the bustling city, symbolized by the grey pavements, with the natural beauty and tranquility of Innisfree. Innisfree represents an ideal place for the poet, where he can find peace and solitude in the lap of nature. It’s a place from his childhood, where he experienced calmness and harmony, far removed from the pressures of city life. The poet imagines building a small cabin, growing beans, and keeping bees, living a simple, self-sustained life. Innisfree offers him the peace and quiet he longs for, and he is drawn to the idea of reconnecting with nature and escaping the distractions of modern life.

How does the poet use imagery to describe the beauty and peace of Innisfree?
- Answer:
  Yeats uses vivid imagery to paint a serene and peaceful picture of Innisfree. He describes the bee-loud glade, where the sound of bees buzzing fills the air, creating a sense of natural harmony. The poet also mentions the midnight’s glimmer, which evokes the image of stars shining brightly in the night sky, and the purple glow of noon, which suggests a warm, radiant light at midday. The evenings are filled with the sound of linnet’s wings, capturing the soft flutter of birds, further enhancing the sense of peace. Through these images, Yeats contrasts the simplicity and beauty of nature with the harshness of urban life, making Innisfree seem like a tranquil sanctuary. The lake water lapping against the shore provides a soft, soothing sound that the poet can hear even when he is far away, deep in his heart.

What effect does the sound of the lake water have on the poet, and how does it connect him to Innisfree?
- Answer:
  The sound of the lake water lapping against the shore has a profound emotional impact on the poet. Even when he is far from Innisfree, standing on the grey pavements of the city, this sound resonates in his "deep heart's core". It symbolizes the deep connection he feels to Innisfree, reminding him of the peace and calm that the place represents. The constant, gentle sound of the lake serves as a mental and emotional escape from the noise and distractions of urban life. It keeps the memory of Innisfree alive in his heart, functioning as a source of comfort and tranquility. This connection between the poet and Innisfree is not just physical but also spiritual, as the sound becomes a reminder of the simplicity and solitude he longs for.

Explain the significance of the line "peace comes dropping slow" in the context of the poem.
- Answer:
  The line "peace comes dropping slow" reflects the gradual and gentle way in which peace descends upon the poet when he imagines life at Innisfree. It suggests that peace is not immediate or overwhelming but arrives slowly and naturally, much like the quietness of the morning mist or the dew falling from the sky. This slow and steady peace contrasts with the fast-paced, hectic nature of the poet’s current urban environment. Yeats uses this line to convey the idea that true inner peace is found in nature, where time moves more slowly, and life is simpler and more reflective. The phrase emphasizes the tranquil rhythm of nature, where peace is something that envelops the poet gradually, providing him with the calm and solace he craves.

How does the poet contrast the peaceful life at Innisfree with the life he currently leads in the city?
- Answer:
  Innisfree is depicted as a place of natural beauty and tranquility, where the poet can live in harmony with nature, surrounded by the sounds of bees, birds, and the gentle lapping of the lake water. The poet imagines a simple life, building a small cabin, growing his own food, and living alone in a bee-loud glade. This contrasts sharply with the poet’s current life in the city, which is represented by the grey pavements — a symbol of dullness, confinement, and the lack of connection with nature. In the city, the poet is surrounded by the noise and rush of urban life, but in his heart, he longs for the quiet, peaceful life at Innisfree. The contrast between the natural world of Innisfree and the artificial, monotonous world of the city highlights the poet’s yearning for escape and his deep connection to the natural world.