The Lake Isle of Innisfree by William Butler Yeats - Critical Analysis, Theme, Summary, Q&A Solved

The Lake Isle of Innisfree

Table of Contents

1. The Poem
2. Analysis
• Themes
• Imagery
• Structure and Form
• Personal Reflection
3. Thinking About the Poem (Q&A)

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 evening 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.

Analysis

Themes:

1. Nature and Solitude: The poem expresses a desire to escape the hustle and bustle of urban life and find solace in nature. The speaker yearns for the tranquility and simplicity of the Lake Isle of Innisfree, away from the noise and chaos of the city.
2. Idealization of Rural Life: Yeats idealizes the rural life, portraying it as a place of peace and contentment. The imagery of the cabin, bean-rows, and honeybees evokes a sense of self-sufficiency and harmony with nature.
3. Inner Peace: The repeated reference to peace suggests a longing for inner calm and spiritual fulfillment, which the speaker believes can be found in the natural setting of Innisfree.

Imagery: 

Yeats uses vivid and sensory imagery to bring the Lake Isle of Innisfree to life. The sights, sounds, and sensations of the island are depicted in a way that appeals to the reader's senses:

• Visual Imagery: "midnight’s all a glimmer," "noon a purple glow," and "evening full of the linnet’s wings."
• Auditory Imagery: "lake water lapping with low sounds," "the cricket sings," and "bee-loud glade."

Structure and Form: 

The poem is written in three quatrains with a consistent ABAB rhyme scheme. The rhythmic and melodic quality of the poem enhances its meditative tone and reflects the natural harmony the speaker seeks.

Personal Reflection: 

The final stanza reveals that the speaker's longing for Innisfree is a deeply ingrained part of their being. Even while standing in the city, the speaker can hear the "lake water lapping," suggesting that the memory and desire for Innisfree are ever-present in their heart.

This poem is a beautiful expression of the universal desire for peace and a connection to nature, encapsulated in Yeats's evocative and lyrical style.

Thinking About the Poem (Q&A)

I.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):

• Build a small cabin: The poet wishes to build a simple dwelling made of clay and wattles.
• Plant bean-rows: He plans to cultivate nine rows of beans, indicating a desire for self-sufficiency.
• Keep a hive for honeybees: This symbolizes a connection with nature and the sweetness of life.

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

• Hears: The poet hears the cricket singing, which adds to the serene and peaceful atmosphere. The sound of the bees is also mentioned, creating a lively yet tranquil environment.
• Sees: He sees the glimmering midnight, the purple glow at noon, and the linnet’s wings in the evening. These visual images create a picture of natural beauty and tranquility.
• Effect on him: The sights and sounds of Innisfree bring him a sense of peace and contentment.

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

• Hears: Even when the poet is far from Innisfree, he hears the lapping of the lake water in his deep heart’s core. This shows that the memory and longing for Innisfree are deeply ingrained in him.

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

• The poet contrasts the natural, peaceful environment of Innisfree with the urban setting where he currently stands. Innisfree is depicted as a place of tranquility and natural beauty, whereas the city is represented by "roadway" and "pavements grey," suggesting a monotonous and lifeless environment.

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 seems to be both a place and a state of mind for the poet. It represents an idealized version of nature and peace that he longs for. While it is a physical place, it also symbolizes a state of inner peace and contentment that the poet yearns to return to. The poet does indeed miss the place of his boyhood days, as indicated by the vivid memories and the deep longing he expresses throughout the poem.

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

(i) Bee-loud glade:

• This phrase creates a picture of a quiet, sunlit clearing in the woods, filled with the gentle humming of bees.

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

• This evokes an image of the evening sky filled with the fluttering wings of small birds, specifically linnets, adding to the serene and picturesque setting.

(iii) Lake water lapping with low sounds:

• This phrase conjures up a calming image of gentle waves softly hitting the shore, contributing to the tranquil ambiance of the place.

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 is something that gradually envelops the surroundings, much like the way morning mist slowly descends. The "veils of the morning" represent the early hours of the day when everything is still and quiet. "To where the cricket sings" signifies the natural world coming alive with the sounds of insects, emphasizing the calm and serene atmosphere of Innisfree.