NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Beehive - Poem - The Lake Isle of Innisfree

Thinking about the Poem
I.
Q1: What kind of place is Innisfree? Think about:
(i) the three things the poet wants to do when he goes back there (stanza I);
Ans:
(a) The poet wants to build a small cabin of clay and wattles.
(b) He wants to plant nine rows of beans.
(c) he wants to have a hive for honeybees.

(ii) what he hears and sees there and its effect on him (stanza II);
Ans: 
(a) He hears the cricket’s song.
(b) He hears linnets flying in the sky.
(c) He sees glimmering midnight and glowing rooms.

(iii) what he hears in his “heart’s core” even when he is far away from Innisfree (stanza III).
Ans: When the poet is far away from Innisfree he hears the sound of the lake water washing the shore in his “heart's core”, which resonates deeply within him, even when he is far removed from Innisfree. This connection to the natural sounds of Innisfree continues to soothe him no matter where he is.

Q2: 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: The poet contrasts the vibrant natural beauty of Innisfree with the dull and lifeless roadways and grey pavements of the city he now resides. The term "grey" symbolises the absence of colour and vitality, highlighting the city's lack of liveliness compared to Innisfree's serene and colourful environment.

Q3: 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:  Innisfree is not just a physical location but also a state of mind for the poet. While it represents the poet’s boyhood memories, it symbolizes an idealized escape from the chaotic city life to a place of peace and serenity. The poet longs for the tranquility that Innisfree offers, a contrast to his current surroundings. Though he is physically distant from Innisfree, he carries its soothing memories within him, which continuously resonate through the sound of the lake water in his heart.

II.
Q1: Look at the words the poet uses to describe what he sees and hears at Innisfree
(i) Bee-loud glade
(ii) Evenings full of the linnet’s wings
(iii) Lake water lapping with low sounds
What pictures do these words create in your mind?
Ans:
(i) "Bee-loud glade" evokes an image of a forest clearing filled with the gentle buzzing of honeybees, creating a tranquil and natural atmosphere.
(ii) "Evenings full of the linnet’s wings" paints a picture of a red-orange sky brimming with linnets. These beautiful birds enhance the place's scenic beauty as they flutter and fly, adding a sense of liveliness to the evening.
(iii) "Lake water lapping with low sounds" immerses us in a peaceful scene where the lake's gently flowing water produces a soothing sound, contributing to the serene ambience of the setting.

Q2: 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: The given lines indicate that peace of mind can be slowly acquired from the natural surroundings.
It is peace that “comes dropping slow...from the veils of the morning”.
The phrase “to where the cricket sings” indicates a peaceful place where one can hear the vibrant sounds of nature− sounds such as the songs of the crickets at the time of dawn.