LAKE ISLE OF INNISFREE BY W.
B YEATS
The poem presents W.B. Yeats’ longing for peace and solitude in a natural setting, far away from the chaos
of city life. Innisfree symbolizes a simple, self-sufficient life in harmony with nature, where one can
experience peace through the sounds of bees, birds, and water. The poem highlights the contrast between
the artificiality of urban life and the serenity of rural life, showing the poet’s deep spiritual connection with
nature.
Explanation of the Poem
Stanza 1
The poet declares that he will arise and go to Innisfree, a small island, and build a tiny hut made of clay and
sticks. He dreams of living there alone, planting nine rows of beans, and keeping a beehive. The quiet
buzzing of bees and the solitude of the glade attract him to this place.
Stanza 2
The poet describes thile peace of Innisfree. It comes slowly and naturally, like the morning mist. The days
will be calm, filled with the sounds of crickets, the glittering stars at midnight, the glowing skies at noon,
and the gentle wings of linnets in the evening. These images suggest beauty, harmony, and the healing
power of nature.
Stanza 3
Even when he is far from Innisfree, standing in crowded city streets, the poet’s heart hears the sound of the
lake’s water lapping against the shore. This sound symbolizes inner peace and continues to echo within him,
reminding him of the spiritual comfort he seeks at Innisfree.
Poetic Devices Used in the Poem
1. Alliteration – Repetition of initial consonant sounds in the same line.
o lake water lapping with low sounds (repetition of consonant sounds)
2. Visual Imagery – It pertains to graphics, visual scenes, pictures or the sense of sight.
o veils of the morning
o midnight’s all a glimmer
o and noon a purple glow
o and evenings full of the linnet’s wings
3. Auditory Imagery – It pertains to sounds, noises, music, or the sense of hearing.
o bee-loud glade
o cricket sings
o lake water lapping
o hear it in the deep heart’s core
4. Metaphor – A device which compares two things or qualities which are unlike.
o peace comes dropping slow
o veils of the morning
o bee-loud glade
5. Onomatopoeia – Using a word which suggests the meaning by its sound.
o I hear lake water lapping
6. Repetition – Repetition of words/phrases in the same line.
o And I shall have some peace there, for peace comes dropping slow, Dropping from the veils…
(The words peace and dropping are repeated.)
o I will arise and go now (phrase repeated in the first and third stanzas).
1. What kind of place is Innisfree? Think about:
(i) the three things the poet wants to do when he goes back there (stanza I);
(ii) what he hears and sees there and its effect on him (stanza II);
(iii) what he hears in his “heart’s core” even when he is far away from Innisfree (stanza III).
Ans 1 Innisfree is a quiet, natural place full of beauty and calmness. It is uninhabited and offers the poet
peace of mind.
(i) The three things the poet wishes to do there are:
• build a small hut with clay and wattles,
• plant nine rows of beans,
• keep a hive for honeybees.
(ii) The poet hears the soothing hum of bees, sees the purple glow of noon, the sparkling stars at midnight,
and the flapping of linnets’ wings in the evening. These sights and sounds bring him serenity.
(iii) Even when far away, the poet carries Innisfree within him. The memory of the lake water lapping softly
at the shore echoes in his “deep heart’s core.” It shows that Innisfree is not just a place but also a spiritual
refuge that stays with him always.
2. By now you may have concluded that Innisfree is a simple, natural place, full of beauty and peace.
How does the poet contrast it with where he now stands? (Read stanza III.)
Ans 2 According to the poet, Innisfree is a simple and natural space close to the heart of nature. It is calm,
quiet, and full of life with bees, crickets, birds, stars, and sunlight. On the other hand, his present
surroundings in the city are noisy, crowded, and dull, full of grey pavements and restless activity. Thus, the
poet finds a striking contrast between the lively calm of Innisfree and the lifeless bustle of urban life.
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?
Ans 3 Innisfree is both a real place and a state of mind for the poet. It was his childhood retreat, and so it
holds personal memories. At the same time, it also represents the poet’s longing for peace and harmony,
away from worldly chaos. Yes, the poet does miss the calmness of his boyhood place, but more
importantly, he yearns for the state of tranquillity that Innisfree symbolizes.
4. Look at these words: “… peace comes dropping slow, Dropping from the veils of the morning to where
the cricket sings.” What do these words mean to you? What do you think “comes dropping slow … from
the veils of the morning”? What does “to where the cricket sings” mean?
Ans 4. The phrase “peace comes dropping slow” suggests that true peace does not arrive suddenly, but
seeps in gently, just like dew forming quietly in the morning. It means that communion with nature brings
calmness steadily and quietly into one’s life.
The expression “to where the cricket sings” refers to a peaceful setting filled with the soft, vibrant sounds
of nature, such as the chirping of crickets at dawn.
5. By now you may have concluded that the poet’s wish to escape to Innisfree is a desire for a peaceful
world. What does he mean by “I hear it in the deep heart’s core”?
Ans 5 By saying “I hear it in the deep heart’s core,” the poet means that even when he is standing on the
crowded pavements of the city, he can still inwardly hear the soothing sound of the lake water. This inner
echo of nature reflects how deeply connected he feels to Innisfree. It is not just a memory, but a source of
inner strength and peace that continues to guide him.
