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.