The Lake Isle of Innisfree : Literary devices
The Lake Isle of Innisfree is a notable literary work by William Butler Yeats. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, and various study materials of The Lake Isle of Innisfree.
Literary devices
Figures of Speech
- Metaphor: Peace is described as something that “drops” slowly, like rain or dew. But peace is not a real object that can drop. So, this is a metaphor.
- Personification: The evening is described as being “full of wings”, as if evening can hold something. This gives a human-like quality to the evening.
- Imagery: It helps us clearly see a picture of the place with bean-rows and a beehive. It creates a peaceful image in our mind.
- Symbols:
- Lake Isle of Innisfree: Symbol of peace, simplicity, and escape from modern life. Innisfree is a small island, but in the poem, it is a dream place. It stands for peace, freedom, and natural life. The speaker wants to leave the busy city and live there in silence.
- Bee-loud glade: Symbol of harmony with nature. A glade is a small open space in a forest. When Yeats says “bee-loud glade,” it means a place where bees hum in peace. It shows a simple, quiet life close to nature.
- Nine bean-rows and hive: Symbol of self-sufficiency and rural life. The speaker wants to grow beans and keep bees. These show a peaceful rural life and self-dependence. He does not want a rich or fast life, just simple living.
- “Peace comes dropping slow”: Symbol of spiritual peace. Peace is shown like gentle rain falling slowly. It means deep, calm, and inner peace that comes from nature.
- “Lake water lapping”: Symbol of connection to nature through sound. The sound of the lake water touching the shore is soft and calm. It shows the speaker’s deep connection with nature.
Main Message:
- Nature gives peace.
- Simple life gives joy.