The Lake Isle of Innisfree

1. What kind of place is Innisfree? Think about: i. In the first stanza, the poet expresses his desire to return to Innisfree and build a small, simple cabin with "nine bean-rows" and a beehive. He wants to live there alone, enjoying a minimalist, self-sufficient life close to nature. His planned actions—building a small dwelling, planting a small garden, and keeping bees—emphasize his longing for a life of simplicity and harmony. ii. What he hears and sees there and its effect on him. The second stanza describes the sights and sounds of Innisfree. The poet envisions a peaceful environment where "peace comes dropping slow”. He sees the shimmering light of "midnight's all a-glimmer" and "noon a purple glow." He hears the sweet music of crickets ("the cricket sings") and the gentle sounds of the "linnet's wings." The natural sounds and sights have a deeply calming effect on him, suggesting that Innisfree is a place of profound peace and natural beauty. iii. What he hears in his “heart’s core” Even when he is far away from Innisfree, standing on the "roadway, or on the pavements grey," the poet hears the distinct sound of the lake's water "lapping with low sounds by the shore." This sound resonates deep within his "heart's core," symbolizing his unwavering and profound connection to the peaceful island. This memory and the sound of the lake's water provide solace, highlighting his deep longing for this peaceful, natural setting amidst the noise and stress of city life. The contrast between the grey pavements and the tranquil lake further emphasizes his yearning for Innisfree. 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.) The poet contrasts Innisfree with his current location by highlighting the stark difference between natural peace and urban drudgery. While Innisfree is a place of serene, natural sounds—like the "lake water lapping" against the shore—the poet is standing on the "roadway" and "pavements grey," which symbolize a noisy, artificial, and unfulfilling city life. The central contrast lies in what he hears. Although his physical ears are filled with the clamor of the city, his soul hears the soothing, rhythmic sound of the lake "in the deep heart's core." This shows that his internal world is dominated by the memory of Innisfree, which stands in stark opposition to the external, harsh reality of his urban surroundings. 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 both a physical place and a state of mind. The poet genuinely misses the real island of his boyhood, but his longing for it also represents a deeper yearning for a state of peace, solitude, and connection with nature. The poem shows this duality. He has a concrete plan to go to Innisfree, build a cabin, and plant crops, indicating he misses the physical location. However, his most powerful connection to it is internal. He can hear the "lake water lapping with low sounds" in his "deep heart's core" even when he is on the noisy city streets. This suggests Innisfree is not just a place he remembers, but an ideal of tranquility he holds within himself, a refuge from the stress of his current life. 4. Look at the words the poet uses to describe what he sees and hears at Innisfree. What pictures do these words create in your mind? i. bee-loud glade This phrase creates a picture of a sunny, open space (a glade) filled with the gentle, continuous hum of bees. It suggests a lively yet peaceful atmosphere, a place teeming with the quiet industry of nature. ii. evenings full of the linnet’s wings This phrase brings to mind the soft, fluttering movement of birds settling down as dusk approaches. It evokes a sense of calm and gentle activity, painting a picture of a tranquil evening with the soothing sounds of birds. iii. lake water lapping with low sounds This line creates a clear image of small waves gently hitting the shore. The "low sounds" suggest a soft, rhythmic, and calming sound that brings peace to the listener. This picture contrasts with the loud noises of city life and is a symbol of serenity. 5. 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? The words suggest that peace is a gradual, gentle, and natural process, not something that happens suddenly. This phrase personifies peace as something that descends gently, like dew or a soft rain. It implies that peace is not an instant occurrence but rather a gradual feeling that permeates the surroundings and a person's state of mind. This beautiful image suggests that peace is delivered with the arrival of the morning light, as if a thin mist or "veil" is being lifted to reveal a serene world. This creates a picture of tranquility settling over the landscape with the break of dawn. This part of the phrase indicates the specific location where this peace can be found: a place in nature. The sound of a singing cricket symbolizes a quiet, rustic environment. It suggests that peace is found in simple, natural settings, away from the noise and chaos of urban life.

A Truly Beautiful Mind

1. Explain what the reasons for the following are. i. Einstein leaving the school in Munich for good. Einstein left because he hated the school’s strict discipline and rigid teaching methods. He felt unhappy and suffocated in the authoritarian environment. ii. Einstein preferred Switzerland over Munich because: He preferred Switzerland because it had a more liberal and flexible education system (like the Zurich Polytechnic) and no militarism, unlike Germany’s oppressive atmosphere. iii. Einstein saw Mileva as an ally because: Mileva Marić was intelligent and a fellow student of physics. She understood Einstein’s ideas and provided emotional and intellectual support, unlike others who ignored him. iv. What do these tell you about Einstein? These show that Einstein was a free-thinking and independent person who disliked rigid systems. They also reveal that he valued intelligence and companionship, seeking environments and relationships that nurtured his brilliant mind. 2. What did Einstein call his desk drawer at the patent office? Why? Einstein humorously called his desk drawer at the patent office the "bureau of theoretical physics" because he secretly worked on his groundbreaking scientific theory of relativity while pretending to be assessing other people’s inventions in the patent office in Bern. This shows his wit, dedication to science, and ability to think creatively even in a routine job. 3. Why did Einstein write a letter to Franklin Roosevelt? Einstein wrote a letter to U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1939 to warn him that Nazi Germany might be developing an atomic bomb. He urged America to start nuclear research first because he feared the Nazis could use such a weapon to dominate the world. This shows Einstein's deep concern for humanity and his sense of moral responsibility as a scientist, even though he later regretted his role in starting the nuclear arms race. 4. How did Einstein react to the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki? Einstein was deeply shocked and regretful after the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Though his famous equation E=mc² had contributed to atomic theory, he had never wanted his scientific discoveries to be used for destruction. He publicly campaigned against nuclear weapons after WWII, calling for peace and international cooperation. This shows his humanitarian values and remorse over how science could be misused. 5. Why does the world remember Einstein as a “world citizen”? Albert Einstein is remembered as a "world citizen" because he transcended national boundaries in his pursuit of knowledge and peace. A vocal advocate for global cooperation, he used his fame to campaign against nuclear weapons and militarism after World War II. It highlights his deep humanitarian values—he fought for civil rights, opposed discrimination, and believed science should benefit all humanity. His vision extended beyond politics or patriotism, embodying the spirit of universal brotherhood. Einstein's legacy as a scientist and moral leader makes him a timeless symbol of global citizenship.

Rain on the roof

1. What do the following phrases mean to you? Discuss in class. i. humid shadows They refer to the dark, damp clouds that bring rain. These shadows hang low in the sky and create a gloomy, moist atmosphere. ii. starry spheres They are the night skies filled with twinkling stars. The poet imagines these beautiful star-filled skies before the rain clouds cover them. iii. what a bliss It expresses a deep sense of joy and peace. The poet feels it is a great pleasure to lie in bed and listen to the gentle sound of rain on the roof. iv. a thousand dreamy fancies into busy being start This means that the sound of rain sparks countless imaginative thoughts and dreams in the poet's mind, even while he is awake. v. a thousand recollections weave their air-threads into woof This phrase means that the rain brings back many memories from the poet’s past, which blend together like threads in a woven fabric of thoughts. 2. What does the poet like to do when it rains? When it rains, the poet loves to lie on his bed in his cottage and listen to the soft sound of the rain falling on the roof. 3. What is the single major memory that comes to the poet’s mind? Who are the “darling dreamers” he refers to? The single major memory that comes to the poet’s mind during the rain is the memory of his mother. He remembers how she used to look lovingly at her children before they went to sleep. The “darling dreamers” he refers to are the poet and his siblings when they were young. His mother would tuck them into bed, and they would fall asleep while dreaming. The sound of the rain brings back this tender memory of their mother’s love and care. So, the rain reminds the poet of his childhood days and the warmth of his mother’s presence. 4. Is the poet now a child? Is his mother still alive? No, the poet is not a child now — he is an adult, remembering his childhood. From the lines in the poem, we understand that his mother is no longer alive. The poet is recalling her from his memories, which come back to him when he hears the rain. 5. When you were a young child, did your mother tuck you in, as the poet’s mother did? Yes, when I was a young child, my mother would tuck me in lovingly, just like the poet’s mother. It made me feel safe, cared for, and peaceful before going to sleep. 6. Do you like rain? What do you do when it rains steadily or heavily as described in the poem? Yes, I like rain. When it rains steadily or heavily, I enjoy sitting by the window and listening to the soothing sound of the raindrops. Sometimes, I like to read a book, sip something warm, or just relax and watch the rain, just like the poet in the poem. It feels calm and peaceful. 7. Does everybody have a cosy bed to lie in when it rains? Look around you and describe how different kinds of people or animals spend time, seek shelter, etc. during rain. No, not everybody has a cosy bed to lie in when it rains. While some people enjoy the rain from the comfort of their warm homes, many others struggle to find shelter. Homeless people often take cover under flyovers, shop roofs, or bus stops to stay dry. Street vendors quickly cover their stalls with plastic sheets, trying to save their goods. Children in poor areas may play joyfully in the rain, but later feel cold and uncomfortable. Stray animals like dogs and cats hide under vehicles or buildings, while birds seek shelter in trees or on balconies. Farmers and construction workers try to find nearby sheds or trees for protection. For many, rain is not just peaceful—it brings discomfort and difficulty.