Class 9 Beehive Poem Chapter 4 Question Answers - The Lake Isle of Innisfree

Q1: Describe the Lake Isle of Innisfree as seen through the eyes of the poet.
Ans: The Lake Isle of Innisfree is an island that exudes incredible peace and natural beauty. The poet paints a vivid picture of its appeal, from the diverse birdlife and insects to the enchanting play of light at different times of day. The landscape remains untarnished by human interference, a pristine haven of serenity.

Q2: Why does the poet want to go to Innisfree?
Ans: The poet yearns for Innisfree as an escape from the noise and monotony of city life, particularly London. He desires a tranquil existence, where he can cultivate a connection with nature. Innisfree offers him the opportunity to lead a self-sufficient life, building a cabin, cultivating beans, and harvesting honey from his bees, far away from the bustling urban chaos.

Q3: How is the city life different from the life at the Lake of Innisfree?
Ans: City life, according to the poet, is characterized by routine and weariness. In contrast, the Lake Isle of Innisfree promises a sanctuary of natural beauty. The poet envisions a life surrounded by the soothing sounds of the lake water lapping against the shore, the hum of bees, and the melodies of birds. Innisfree stands as a stark contrast to the grey pavements and noise of the city.

Q4: What kind of life does the poet William Butler Yeats imagine in his poem “The Lake Isle of Innisfree”?
Ans: Yeats envisions a simple and idyllic life on the Lake Isle of Innisfree. He imagines himself living in a small cabin crafted from clay and wattles, sustaining himself with beans and honey produced by his own labor. The poet seeks solace and a deep connection with nature, surrounded by the serene beauty of the island.

Q5: Write three things that the poet would like to do when he goes back to Innisfree.
Ans: The poet envisions building a small cabin of clay and wattles, cultivating nine rows of beans, and tending to a hive of honeybees upon his return to Innisfree.

Q6: How will the poet live on the island of Innisfree?
Ans: The poet will reside in a self-built cabin on the Lake Isle of Innisfree, living in harmony with nature. He will grow his own food by cultivating beans and tending to bees for honey, thereby leading a self-sufficient and peaceful existence.

Q7: Why does the speaker in the poem “The Lake Isle of Innisfree” desire to spend his time alone in his cabin?
Ans: The speaker craves solitude and a respite from the noise and chaos of urban life. He longs to immerse himself in the tranquil sounds of nature, such as the gentle lapping of the lake water against the shore and the buzzing of bees. The cabin represents a haven where he can find inner peace and reconnect with nature.

Q8: ‘And I shall have some peace there, for peace comes dropping slow.” Where will the poet have some peace? How?
Ans: The poet anticipates finding peace on the Lake Isle of Innisfree. The tranquility will gradually envelop him, from the misty mornings to the glowing afternoons and the serene evenings filled with the sounds of birds. The slow and natural rhythm of the island will bring him the peace he longs for.

Q9: How does the poet describe the lake’s waves?
Ans: The poet portrays the lake’s waves as producing a soft and gentle sound, distinct from the clamor of the city. He finds solace in this soothing sound, which he can hear in his heart even when he is far away from Innisfree.

Q10: How is the ‘roadway in London’ different from the Lake Isle of Innisfree?
Ans: The 'roadway in London' is characterized by its dullness and greyness, a stark contrast to the vibrant and serene beauty of the Lake Isle of Innisfree. While the city is noisy and lacks the soothing sounds of nature, Innisfree offers a harmonious environment filled with the gentle lapping of lake water and the buzzing of bees.

Q11: What does the poet hear in his ‘heart’s core’ even when he is far away from Innisfree?
Ans: Even when far away from Innisfree, the poet hears the soft sounds of the lake water lapping against the shore in his heart's core. This peaceful and natural sound remains with him, providing comfort and a connection to the island.

Q12: What words does the poet use to describe how calmness and tranquillity will come to him at Innsifree?
Ans: The poet envisions a calm and tranquil existence on Innisfree. He describes building a small cabin of clay and wattles, cultivating rows of beans, and maintaining a beehive. The serenity and peace will descend upon him slowly, akin to the gentle dropping of peace from the veils of morning to the sounds of nature.

Q13: How does the poet describe midnight, noon, and evening?
Ans: The poet portrays Innisfree as a place of magical transformation throughout the day. In the morning, mist veils the lake, while at noon, the purple heather shines brilliantly under the sun. Evenings are accompanied by the fluttering of birds' wings and the melodious sounds of crickets, while nights are adorned with shimmering stars.

Q14: Innisfree is a simple, natural place, full of beauty and peace. How does the poet contrast it with where he now stands?
Ans: The poet contrasts the serene and enchanting attributes of Innisfree, such as the bee-loud glade, the sounds of nature, and the gentle lapping of lake water, with the mundane and monotonous qualities of his current urban environment. The grey pavements and noisy surroundings of London stand in stark juxtaposition to the beauty and tranquility of Innisfree.

Q15: Where is the speaker when he hears lake water lapping?
Ans: The speaker mentions that he stands "on the roadway, or on the pavements grey." It is implied that he is in London, away from Innisfree, when he hears the memory of the lake water lapping against the shore.

Q16: In “The Lake Isle of Innisfree,” what does the poet feel while standing on the pavement?
Ans: While standing on the pavement, the speaker reflects on his desire for the tranquility and peace that Innisfree offers. He contrasts his current state of restlessness and discontent with the calmness he envisions on the island. He yearns to be in a place where he can experience a deep connection with nature.

Q17: What does Innisfree symbolize for the poet? Does the poet actually miss the place of his boyhood days?
Ans: Innisfree symbolizes a utopian retreat and a return to the poet's roots. It represents a yearning for a simpler, more harmonious life. While Innisfree itself may not specifically be the place of the poet's boyhood, it embodies his longing for a peaceful and natural existence that he seems to have left behind.

Q18: What is the tone of the poem?
Ans: The tone of the poem is reflective, contemplative, and wistful. The poet expresses a longing for an idyllic and serene existence on Innisfree, which contrasts with the urban environment he currently inhabits. There is a sense of yearning for a deeper connection with nature and an escape from the complexities of city life.

Q19: What sound is the poet looking forward to hearing in Innisfree?
Ans: The poet eagerly anticipates hearing the soothing sounds of nature in Innisfree, including the gentle lapping of lake water against the shore, the buzzing of bees in the glade, and the melodic chirping of crickets. These sounds represent the tranquility and peace he seeks on the island.

Q20: Briefly describe the major theme of the poem ‘The Lake Isle of Innisfree’, Nature vs City life.
Ans: A major theme in “The Lake Isle of Innisfree” is the contrast between the tranquility and harmony of nature and the dreary monotony of city life. The poem portrays the speaker's longing for an escape from urbanity to the peaceful haven of Innisfree, highlighting the stark disparity between the two environments.

Q21: How does Yeats create the atmosphere of the island and its sights and sounds in “The Lake Isle of Innisfree”? Refer closely to the use of language in the first two stanzas.
Ans: Yeats creates the atmospheric setting of Innisfree through vivid sensory descriptions. He envisions building a cabin and cultivating a garden on the island. In the first stanza, he uses tactile imagery by mentioning "clay and wattles made" for the cabin's construction. The second stanza is rich in auditory imagery, with buzzing bees, flapping linnets' wings, and the singing of crickets. The language immerses the reader in the island's sights and sounds, emphasizing its natural beauty.

Q22: In W.B. Yeats’s poem, “The Lake Isle of Innisfree,” what indications does the speaker give of his present environment?
Ans: The speaker indicates his dissatisfaction with his current environment through contrasts with the envisioned Innisfree. He describes the somber "pavements grey" and the urban bustle of London, highlighting his desire for escape. The speaker's yearning for the serene and vibrant nature of Innisfree underscores his discontent with his present surroundings.

Q23: Explain the contrast between the last four lines of “The Lake Isle of Innisfree” and the rest of the poem.
Ans: The majority of the poem is filled with the speaker's dreamy anticipation of escaping to Innisfree. The tone is hopeful and idyllic, emphasizing the island's allure. However, in the final four lines, there is a sudden shift in tone as the speaker acknowledges his current location on the city pavement. The contrast lies between the dream-like, peaceful imagery of Innisfree and the stark reality of the urban environment, creating a poignant juxtaposition.

Q24: Why does the poet want to go to Innisfree?
Ans: The poet wishes to escape the monotony and chaos of city life, seeking solace and tranquility on Innisfree. He envisions building a cabin, cultivating a garden, and living a simple life in harmony with nature. The island symbolizes a retreat from the complexities of urban existence, providing the poet with a sense of inner peace.

Q25: In the poem “The Lake Isle of Innisfree”, what does the poet find so attractive about ‘The Lake Isle of Innisfree’?
Ans: The poet finds the promise of peace and harmony with nature incredibly attractive about Innisfree. He longs for a life away from the city's noise and busyness, where he can build his own shelter, cultivate his own food, and immerse himself in the soothing sounds and colors of the natural world.

Q26: Does the poet wish to escape reality in "The Lake Isle of Innisfree"?
Ans: The poet does wish to escape the realities of urban life in favor of the tranquil beauty of Innisfree. While he acknowledges the contrast between his current environment and his envisioned paradise, his yearning for the island serves as a form of escapism. Innisfree represents an idealized refuge from the demands and stresses of his actual surroundings, allowing him to find solace and renewal in his imagination.