Q1 of 15 Page 54

What kind of place is Innisfree? Think about.

(i) The three things the poet wants-to do when he would go back there. (Stanza I)


(ii) What he hears and sees there (Stanza II) and its effect on him?


(iii) What he hears in his "heart's core" even when he is far away from Innisfree? (Stanza III)

Innisfree is a peaceful and tranquil place where the poet had spent a lot of time during the days of his boyhood.

(i) (a) The poet wants to build a small cabin made up of clay and wattles.


(b) He wants to plant nine rows of beans.


(c) He wants to keep a hive for the honeybees and live alone in the bee-loud glade.


(ii) The poet hears the cricket sing as well as experiences peace dropping from the veils of the morning. He enjoys the evenings surrounded by the calmness of the linnet’s wings. The glimmering midnight and the purple glow of the noon unfold a state of serenity which has a very mesmerizing impact on the poet’s mind.


(iii) The poet hears the low sounds of lake water washing the shore in his “heart’s core” even when he is far away from Innisfree.


More from this chapter

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1

Here are some sentences from the story. Choose the word from the brackets which can be substituted for the italicized words in the sentences.

1. A few years later, his marriage faltered. (Failed, broke, became weak).


2. Einstein was constantly at odds with people at the university. (on bad terms, in disagreement, unhappy)


3. The newspapers proclaimed his work as "a scientific revolution." (Declared, praised, showed)


4. Einstein got ever more involved in politics, agitating for an end to the arms buildup. (Campaigning, fighting, supporting)


5. At the age of 15, Einstein felt so stifled that he left the school for good. (Permanently, for his benefit, for a short time)


6. Five years later, the discovery of nuclear fission in Berlin had American physicists in an uproar. (in a state of commotion, full of criticism, in a desperate state)


7. Science wasn't the only thing that appealed to the dashing young man with the walrus moustache. (Interested, challenged, worried)

 2

● Einstein became a gifted amateur violinist, maintaining this skill throughout his life.

● Letters survive in which they put their affection into words, mixing science with tenderness.


The parts in italics in the above sentences begin with -ing verbs, and are called participle phrases. Participle phrases say something more about the person or thing talked about or the idea expressed by the sentence as a whole.


For Example:


Einstein became a gifted amateur violinist. He maintained this skill throughout his life.


Complete the sentences below by filling in the blanks with suitable participle clauses. The information that has to be used in the phrases is provided as a sentence in brackets.


1. ............... the firefighters finally put out the fire. (They worked around the clock.)


2. She watched the sunset above the mountain........... (She noticed the colors blending softly into one another)


3. The excited horse pawed the ground rapidly, ……………..(While it neighed continually.)


4. ............ I found myself in Bangalore, instead of Benaras. (I had taken the wrong train).


5. ……………… I was desperate to get to the bathroom. (I had not bathed for two days)


6. The stone steps …………. needed to be replaced. (They were worn down).


7. The actor received hundreds of letters from his fans, ………(They asked him to send them his photograph.)

 2

By now you may have concluded that Innisfree is a temple, natural place, full of beauty and peace.

How does the poet contrast it with where he now stands? (Read at stanza III)

 3

Do you think Innisfree is only a place, or a state of mind? Does the poet actually miss the place of his boyhood days?