The Lake Isle of Innisfree Summary Stanza Wise | Class 9

The Lake Isle of Innisfree Summary Stanza Wise:

William Butler Yeats’ poem, "The Lake Isle of Innisfree," reflects the poet's deep yearning for peace, solitude, and a return to nature. The poem is a lyric, which means it expresses the poet's personal feelings and emotions. In this case, Yeats' longing is for the quiet and simplicity of Innisfree, a small island in Ireland, where he spent his childhood. The poem expresses the contrast between the poet’s idealized view of nature and the noise and busyness of city life. Through vivid imagery and sensory descriptions, Yeats portrays Innisfree as a peaceful haven.

Stanza 1: The Poet’s Desire to Escape to Innisfree

In the opening lines, Yeats declares his intention to "arise and go" to Innisfree. This strong desire to leave is a clear indication of his need to escape the pressures of modern life. Innisfree represents a place of freedom, away from society’s demands. Yeats envisions building a small, simple cabin made of clay and wattles (twisted sticks used to build fences and walls), where he can live self-sufficiently.

He also imagines growing nine bean rows and keeping a hive for the honeybees, which reflects his desire to live in harmony with nature and sustain himself through its gifts. The image of the "bee-loud glade" suggests that the sounds of bees buzzing in the open space of nature will provide a comforting and peaceful atmosphere. This simplicity, with only the sounds of nature to surround him, reflects the poet’s craving for isolation and peace.

Stanza 2: Nature as a Source of Peace

In the second stanza, Yeats elaborates on the kind of peace he expects to find in Innisfree. He says that peace will "drop slow" like the veils of the morning, suggesting that it will come to him gradually and naturally, with the unfolding beauty of each day. He contrasts the cricket’s song at dawn with the glimmer of midnight and the purple glow of noon, evoking different times of day and the serene beauty that nature offers.

The mention of Linnet’s wings (a small bird with a melodious song) filling the evening further emphasizes the sense of calm. The imagery here conveys an almost magical world where each part of the day brings its own beauty and peacefulness. The midnight’s glimmer refers to the stars in the night sky, while noon’s purple glow might describe the warm sunlight reflecting off the land, enhancing the sense of tranquillity that Yeats longs for.

Stanza 3: Innisfree in the Poet’s Heart

In the final stanza, Yeats reaffirms his decision to go to Innisfree, stating that both "night and day" he hears the sound of the lake water lapping softly against the shore. Even while standing on the dull grey pavements of the city, he is reminded of Innisfree. This line reveals that the poet’s longing for peace and nature is not just physical, but deeply emotional and spiritual. The sounds of the lake are something he carries within him, deep in his "heart’s core".

This final image of standing in a city, surrounded by grey pavements, serves as a sharp contrast to the vibrant, natural landscape of Innisfree. The lapping of the water represents a constant reminder of the peaceful life he dreams of, showing that no matter where he is physically, his heart and mind are always yearning for the quiet solitude of Innisfree.