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NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Poem Chapter 4 The Lake ...

NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Poem Chapter 4 The Lake Isle Of Innisfree

Author at PW

February 09, 2025

Class 9 English Poem Chapter 4 The Lake Isle Of Innisfree:- In Chapter 4 of your Class 9 English curriculum, we explore The Lake Isle of Innisfree by W.B. Yeats, a poem that beautifully captures the poet’s longing for peace and simplicity. Imagine a place so serene and untouched by the rush of everyday life that it feels like a dream. Yeats paints a picture of Innisfree as this tranquil escape, a small island on a lake where he dreams of building a cosy cabin and living in harmony with nature. The poem takes us on a journey to this idyllic spot, filled with the soothing sounds of crickets and the gentle lapping of lake water. Check out the lake isle of Innisfree class 9 below:-

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Chapter 4 The Lake Isle Of Innisfree Notes

Get the Lake Isle of Innisfree question answer below:-

Question 1. What kind of place is Innisfree? Consider the following:

(i) The three things the poet wishes to do when he returns to Innisfree (stanza I);

(ii) What he hears and sees there and the impact it has on him (stanza II);

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

Answer: Innisfree is depicted as a serene and enchanting place where the poet spent his youth.

(i) When he returns to Innisfree, the poet wants to:

Build a small cabin made of clay and wattles: The poet envisions constructing a modest and rustic cabin using natural materials. Clay and wattles are traditional building elements that signify simplicity and harmony with nature. This cabin represents a retreat from the complexities of modern life, providing a tranquil and self-sufficient haven where the poet can reconnect with the serene environment of Innisfree.
Cultivate nine rows of beans: The poet desires to create a small farm with nine rows of beans. This agricultural detail emphasizes the poet’s wish to live in harmony with the land, embracing a life of simplicity and self-reliance. The presence of bean rows suggests a life of quiet industriousness, where nature and human effort blend seamlessly.
Keep a hive for honeybees: The poet plans to establish a beehive, reflecting his appreciation for nature’s small wonders and the benefits they provide. Honeybees are essential for pollination and symbolize the natural cycle of life and productivity. The presence of a beehive highlights the poet’s desire for a life rich in natural beauty and sustenance.

(ii) The poet hears the soothing sound of crickets and observes the beauty of the midnight glimmer. He sees the sky glowing purple at noon and enjoys the sight of evenings filled with the fluttering wings of linnets. These elements contribute to his sense of peace and tranquillity.

The sensory experiences described in this stanza enhance the poet’s perception of Innisfree as a place of profound calm and beauty:

The soothing sound of crickets: The gentle, rhythmic chirping of crickets creates a calming auditory backdrop that adds to the tranquillity of the setting. The sound is often associated with peaceful, rural evenings, reinforcing the poet’s sense of relaxation and contentment.
The beauty of the midnight glimmer: The poet finds beauty in the subtle light of the night, which likely refers to moonlight or the soft glow of stars. This nocturnal illumination adds a magical quality to the landscape, contributing to the poet’s feeling of peace.
Sky glowing purple at noon: The poet describes the sky with a rich, purple hue at midday, suggesting a stunning and unusual beauty in the natural world. This vibrant colour adds to the serene and idyllic atmosphere of Innisfree.
Evenings full of the fluttering wings of linnets: Linnets, small, lively birds, enhance the evening scene with their graceful flight. Their presence adds vitality and movement to the serene setting, creating a harmonious blend of peace and liveliness.

(iii) Even when he is far from Innisfree, the poet can still hear the gentle lapping of the lake water at the shore in his “heart’s core.”

Despite being physically distant from Innisfree, the poet remains emotionally and spiritually connected to it. The gentle sound of the lake water lapping against the shore continues to resonate deeply within him, symbolizing a profound and enduring bond with the place. This auditory memory evokes a sense of calm and nostalgia, illustrating how the peaceful experiences of Innisfree remain vividly alive in his heart and mind. The phrase “heart’s core” emphasizes the deep emotional impact that Innisfree has on the poet, suggesting that its tranquil essence is an integral part of his inner self.

Question 2. How does the poet contrast the simple, natural beauty of Innisfree with his current surroundings? (Refer to stanza III.)

Answer: The poet contrasts the natural, tranquil beauty of Innisfree with the dull, lifeless environment of the city, characterized by its grey pavements. The term “grey” underscores the drabness and lack of vibrancy in his present surroundings.

Question 3. Do you think Innisfree is merely a physical place, or does it represent a state of mind? Does the poet truly long for his boyhood days spent there?

Answer: Innisfree appears to be both a physical place and a state of mind. The poet nostalgically yearns for the natural beauty and peace of his boyhood days at Innisfree. He is reminded of the soothing sounds of the lake and misses both the place itself and the tranquillity it once provided

II.

Question 1. Analyze the imagery created by the poet’s descriptions of Innisfree:

(i) “bee-loud glade”

(ii) “evenings full of the linnet’s wings”

(iii) “lake water lapping with low sounds”

What images do these phrases evoke?

Answer:

(i) “Bee-loud glade” conjures an image of a peaceful, forested area alive with the gentle buzzing of bees.

(ii) “Evenings full of the linnet’s wings” paints a picture of a sunset sky, adorned with the vibrant presence of linnet birds, enhancing the scenic beauty.

(iii) “Lake water lapping with low sounds” creates a tranquil image of a lake with gently flowing water, producing a soothing and rhythmic sound.

Question 2. Consider the lines:

“… peace comes dropping slow

Dropping from the veils of the morning to where the cricket sings”

What do these lines signify to you? What is meant by “comes dropping slow…from the veils of the morning”? What does “to where the cricket sings” convey?

Answer: These lines suggest that peace arrives gradually and gently. The phrase “comes dropping slow…from the veils of the morning” implies that peace slowly emerges with the morning light. “To where the cricket sings” indicates that this peace settles in the tranquil environment where the cricket’s song adds to the serene atmosphere.

Chapter 4 The Lake Isle Of Innisfree Summary

The Lake Isle of Innisfree by W.B. Yeats is a poignant poem that expresses the poet’s deep longing for peace and simplicity away from the bustle of city life. The poem describes Innisfree, a small, tranquil island on a lake, as a place of natural beauty and serenity.

In the first stanza, Yeats reveals his desire to escape to Innisfree, where he envisions building a small cabin made of clay and wattles, cultivating nine rows of beans, and keeping a hive of honeybees. These simple, pastoral activities symbolise his wish to return to a life of harmony with nature.

The second stanza explores the sensory experiences that make Innisfree so appealing to the poet. He hears the soothing sound of crickets and sees the beauty of the night with its glimmering light. The sky’s purple glow at noon and the sight of linnets’ wings in the evening contribute to the peaceful atmosphere that Yeats yearns for.

In the third stanza, despite being physically far from Innisfree, the poet continues to feel a deep connection to the island. He hears the gentle lapping of the lake water in his heart, suggesting that the tranquillity of Innisfree is always present in his thoughts and emotions.

Overall, the poem conveys the poet’s idealization of Innisfree as a sanctuary where he can find inner peace and solace, contrasting sharply with the hectic and often overwhelming reality of urban life.

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Chapter 4 The Lake Isle Of Innisfree FAQs

Q1. What is the central theme of The Lake Isle of Innisfree?

Ans. The central theme of the poem is the poet's longing for peace and a return to a simpler, more harmonious life. Yeats contrasts the tranquil, idyllic life on Innisfree with the chaos of urban existence, highlighting the desire for solitude and connection with nature.

Q2. What does Yeats want to do when he returns to Innisfree?

Ans. Yeats expresses a desire to build a small cabin of clay and wattles, cultivate nine rows of beans, and keep a hive for honeybees. These activities symbolize a return to nature and a life of simplicity.

Q3. How does the poet describe the natural beauty of Innisfree?

Ans. The poet describes Innisfree with vivid imagery, including the soothing sound of crickets, the beauty of the midnight glimmer, the purple sky at noon, and evenings filled with the fluttering wings of linnets.

Q4. What sensory experiences does Yeats highlight in the poem?

Ans. Yeats highlights auditory experiences such as the sound of crickets and the lapping of lake water, as well as visual experiences like the glimmering night and the purple sky.

Q5. How does the poet feel about being away from Innisfree?

Ans. Even when physically distant from Innisfree, the poet remains emotionally connected to the island. He continues to hear the gentle lapping of the lake water in his heart, suggesting that the peace and tranquillity of Innisfree are always with him.

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