CBSE Class 9 English: The Lake Isle of Innisfree Poem NCERT Solutions
This resource provides detailed NCERT Solutions for CBSE Class 9 English Poem 4, 'The Lake Isle of Innisfree' by W.B. Yeats. The solutions cover extract-based and short answer questions, helping students understand the poem's imagery, themes, and literary devices. Key concepts explored include the poet's longing for the natural beauty and tranquility of Innisfree, his desire to escape the 'grey pavements' of city life, and the sensory details that make the island vivid. These solutions offer clear explanations and step-by-step answers, aiding students in their exam preparation and deepening their appreciation of the poem's evocative language and themes of peace and nature.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 9 |
| Subject | English |
| Session | 2026 |
| Language | English |
| Type | NCERT Solutions |
| Chapter | 4. The Lake Isle Of Innisfree Poem |
Chapter summary
NCERT Solutions for 'The Lake Isle of Innisfree' (Poem 4) for Class 9 English. This chapter focuses on understanding the poem's imagery, the poet's yearning for nature, and the contrast between urban life and rural peace. The solutions address extract-based questions, requiring close reading of specific stanzas, and short answer questions that delve into the poem's themes and the poet's motivations. Key elements like the description of Innisfree, the poet's plans for building a cabin, and the literary devices used are explained.
Learning outcomes
- Understand the central theme of longing for nature and peace in 'The Lake Isle of Innisfree'.
- Identify and interpret the imagery used by W.B. Yeats to describe Innisfree.
- Analyze the contrast between the poet's urban surroundings and his idealized vision of Innisfree.
- Explain the poet's desire to escape the hustle and bustle of city life.
- Recognize literary devices employed in the poem, such as metaphor and rhyming scheme.
- Answer extract-based and short answer questions related to the poem.
Topics covered
Paper topics
- The Lake Isle of Innisfree
- W.B. Yeats
- Poetry Analysis
- Imagery in Poetry
- Themes of Nature
- Peace and Tranquility
- Urban vs. Rural Life
- Literary Devices
- Extract-Based Questions
- Short Answer Questions
- Poem Comprehension
- CBSE Class 9 English
Important topics
- The poet's longing for Innisfree
- Imagery of nature at Innisfree
- Contrast between city life and Innisfree
- Symbolism of Innisfree
- Literary devices used (metaphor, rhyme scheme)
- Poet's plans for his cabin
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Questions and Solutions
Question 1
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
And I shall have some peace there, for peace comes dropping slow
Dropping from the veils of the morning to where the cricket sings;
(i) What does the word 'there' in the above lines refer to?
(ii) How does peace enter the huts of peasants?
(iii) Name the literary device used in the poem. (SA-1, 2014)
Solution:
(i) The word 'there' in these lines refers to the poet's desired destination, the Lake Isle of Innisfree, a place he longs to be.
(ii) Peace is depicted as entering the huts of peasants metaphorically through the gentle, slow-falling dew drops of the morning, which bring a sense of calm.
(iii) The literary device used is metaphor. Peace is compared to something that 'comes dropping slow', like dew, without explicitly stating the comparison using 'like' or 'as'.
Question 2
While I stand on the roadway, or on the pavements grey,
I hear it in the deep heart's core.
(i) Name the poem and the poet.
(ii) What does "It" in the second line stand for?
(iii) Give the noun form of the word "deep." (Board Term 1, 2013, K2G41GH)
Solution:
(i) The poem is titled 'The Lake Isle of Innisfree', and the poet is W.B. Yeats.
(ii) The word "It" in the second line refers to the persistent inner call or longing for the Lake Isle of Innisfree, which the poet hears even when he is surrounded by the city's harsh environment.
(iii) The noun form of the word 'deep' is 'deepness' or 'depth'.
Question 3
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 evenings full of the linnet's wings.
(i) What did the poet see in the morning?
(ii) What did the poet hear?
(iii) Find a word from the extract which means 'weak, faint, unsteady light.' (Board Term 1, 2012, ELI-014)
Solution:
(i) In the morning, the poet imagines seeing dewdrops falling gently, which he associates with the slow arrival of peace.
(ii) The poet heard the singing of crickets, which contributes to the natural soundscape of Innisfree.
(iii) The word from the extract that means 'weak, faint, unsteady light' is 'glimmer'.
Question 4
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 evenings full of the linnet's wings.
(i) Write the rhyming scheme of the given stanza.
(ii) What does the stanza suggest about the poet?
(iii) Name any two things the poet is fond of. (Board Term 1, 2012, ELI-016)
Solution:
(i) The rhyming scheme of the given stanza is ABAB. (slow - A, sings - B, glow - A, wings - B)
(ii) This stanza suggests that the poet has a deep love and appreciation for nature. He finds beauty and peace in the natural elements and activities of Innisfree.
(iii) The poet is fond of the cricket's song, the sight of evenings filled with the flight of linnets, and the glimmering light of midnight.
Question 5
I will arise and go now, and go to Innisfree,
And a small cabin build there, of clay and wattles made.
Nine bean row will I have there, a hive for the honeybee,
And I live alone in the bee loud glade.
(i) What does the poet wish to build at Innisfree?
(ii) What does "Innisfree" symbolise?
(iii) Why does the poet wish to stay at Innisfree? (Board Term 1, 2012, ELI-021)
Solution:
(i) The poet wishes to build a small cabin at Innisfree. He specifies that it will be made of natural materials like clay and wattles (interwoven sticks).
(ii) Innisfree symbolises an idealized place of peace, tranquility, and natural beauty for the poet. It represents an escape from the chaos and artificiality of urban life.
(iii) The poet wishes to stay at Innisfree primarily to find peace and serenity in a natural environment. He also wants to escape the hectic and noisy schedule of city life and live a simple, solitary existence surrounded by nature.
Question 6
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.
(i) Write about any two things the poet wants to do when he goes back to Innisfree.
(ii) Why does the poet miss the place?
(iii) Trace a word from the extract that means 'open space'.
Solution:
(i) When the poet goes back to Innisfree, he wants to build a small cabin using clay and wattles, and he plans to have nine rows of bean plants and a hive for honeybees.
(ii) The poet misses Innisfree because he yearns for the profound peace, natural beauty, and simple lifestyle that the island offers, which contrasts sharply with his current urban existence.
(iii) The word from the extract that means 'open space' is 'glade'.
Question 7
"And I shall have some peace there, for peace comes dropping slow – Dropping from
the veils of the morning to where the cricket sings"
(i) Name the poet.
(ii) Which place is the poet referring to in the above lines?
(iii) What is the poet looking for? (Board Term 1, 2012, ELI-058)
Solution:
(i) The poet is W. B. Yeats.
(ii) The place the poet is referring to in these lines is the Lake Isle of Innisfree.
(iii) The poet is looking for peace and serenity, a sense of calm that he feels is lacking in his current environment.
Question 1
Describe the person, the place or the thing brought vividly to life by the poet.
Solution:
The poet, W.B. Yeats, vividly brings to life the place known as the Lake Isle of Innisfree. He describes it as an idyllic island where he can find profound peace and tranquility. He paints a picture of simple living, with plans to build a cabin, cultivate beans, and live amidst the natural sounds of bees, contrasting it sharply with the 'grey pavements' of his current urban life.
Common mistakes
- Confusing the literal meaning of Innisfree with its symbolic representation of peace.
- Misinterpreting the 'it' or 'there' references in the poem.
- Failing to identify the contrast between city life and the natural setting.
- Overlooking the sensory details that create the vivid picture of Innisfree.
Revision tips
- Read the poem aloud to appreciate its rhythm and imagery.
- Focus on the sensory details (sight, sound) the poet uses to describe Innisfree.
- Understand the poet's motivation for wanting to leave his current environment.
- Practice answering extract-based questions by referring back to the poem.
- Note down key phrases and their meanings for quick revision.
Practice MCQs
Q1. What does the word 'there' refer to in the line 'And I shall have some peace there'?
Explanation: The word 'there' specifically refers to the place the poet wishes to go, which is the Lake Isle of Innisfree, a place he associates with peace.
Q2. According to the poem, how does peace arrive at Innisfree?
Explanation: The poem states that 'peace comes dropping slow, / Dropping from the veils of the morning', suggesting a gentle and gradual arrival of peace.
Q3. What does the poet hear in his 'deep heart's core' while standing on the 'roadway, or on the pavements grey'?
Explanation: The 'it' that the poet hears represents the persistent call and memory of Innisfree, which he hears even amidst the grey urban environment.
Q4. What materials does the poet plan to use to build his cabin at Innisfree?
Explanation: The poet explicitly mentions building a 'small cabin there, of clay and wattles made', indicating his preference for natural, simple materials.
Q5. What does Innisfree symbolize for the poet?
Explanation: Innisfree represents an idealized escape for the poet, a sanctuary of natural beauty and profound peace away from the stresses of modern life.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main theme of the poem 'The Lake Isle of Innisfree'?
The main theme is the poet's deep longing for the peace and natural beauty of Innisfree, and his desire to escape the noise and stress of urban life.
Who is the poet of 'The Lake Isle of Innisfree'?
The poet is W.B. Yeats.
What does the poet plan to do when he goes to Innisfree?
He plans to build a small cabin of clay and wattles, have a hive for honeybees, and live alone in the bee-loud glade.
How does the poem describe peace?
Peace is described as coming 'dropping slow', like dew from the morning veils, suggesting a gentle and gradual arrival.
What does the poet hear in his 'deep heart's core'?
He hears the call of Innisfree, a persistent inner voice urging him to return to the island's tranquility, even when he is in the city.
What literary device is used when the poet refers to peace 'dropping slow'?
This can be seen as a metaphor, comparing the gentle arrival of peace to the slow descent of dew drops.
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