The Lake Isle of Innisfree

Answer: Innisfree is a peaceful, natural place on a lake island in Ireland. (i) The poet wants to build a small cabin, plant nine bean-rows, and keep a hive for honeybees, living alone in the bee-loud glade. (ii) He hears the sound of crickets, sees the morning veils and purple glow of noon, and hears the linnets' wings in the evening — all of which bring him peace. (iii) Even when far away, he hears the lake water lapping with low sounds by the shore in his "heart's core."

Answer: In stanza III, the poet contrasts Innisfree with his present location — the "roadway" and "pavements grey." The natural, peaceful lake island is contrasted with the grey, artificial world of the city or town where he now stands.

Answer: Innisfree is both a real place and a state of mind. It represents the poet's longing for peace, simplicity, and nature. The poet deeply misses the place of his boyhood days, as he hears its sounds in his heart even when far away. It is a place of escape from the noise and stress of modern life.

Answer: These phrases create vivid sensory images: (i) "bee-loud glade" — a clearing in the woods filled with the buzzing sound of bees, suggesting life and activity in nature. (ii) "evenings full of the linnet's wings" — the sky filled with birds flying at dusk, suggesting peace and beauty. (iii) "lake water lapping with low sounds" — the gentle, rhythmic sound of water touching the shore, suggesting calmness and tranquility.

Answer: The words create a feeling of gentle, natural peace that descends slowly like morning mist. "Dropping slow...from the veils of the morning" suggests peace arriving gently with the dawn. "To where the cricket sings" means the peace spreads to the natural world where crickets chirp, indicating a harmonious connection between peace and nature.