Discuss the possible theme in W.B. Yeats’s “The Lake Isle of Innisfree” and how that theme is presented in the poem.
A.The poem might be read as a declaration of the poet's longing for rustic/natural life as opposed to city/civilized/artificial life. This idea is expressed throug contrasting images such as simple, peaceful country life suggested by "a small cabin" of "clay and wattle, ""bean-rows," "a hive for the honeybee,""bee-loud glade,"etc., as opposed to the artificial/civilized life suggested by "the roadway"and "the pavement gray".
B.If the sound of the lapping water by the shore is a call upon the poet, then the repetition of "I will arise and go now"reveals the poet's determination to escape into that fairyland where he could live in peace and enjoy the beauty of nature.
C.Examinees may also have noticed that the images that suggest the beauty of natural life outnumber those that suggest undesirable city life, and this also shows the poet's preference.
