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POEM : THE LAKE ISLE OF INNISFREE

I will arise and go now, and go to Innisfree,
And a small cabin build there, of clay and wattlesmade;
Nine bean-rows will I have there, a hive for the honey bee,
And live alone in the bee-loud glade.

And I shall have some peace there, for peace comesdropping 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 evening full of the linnet's wings.

I will arise and go now, for always night and day,
I hear lake water lapping with low sounds by the shore;
While I stand on the roadway, or on the pavements grey,
I hear it in the deep heart's core.

William Butler Yeats

Biography of The Poet

William Butler Yeats (1865 - 1939) was both a prolific poet and a dramatist. He wrote the poem "The Lake Isle of Innisfree" in 1892. The poem is a literary marvel which touches on the human psyche and inner thoughts. Yeats brought out the inner drive of individuals for peace and quiet. 

Yeats produced remarkable literary works which are still appreciated and have special places in the hearts and mind of readers and literary enthusiasts. He was honoured with the Nobel Prize for literature in 1923. The award was to mark his tireless efforts to produce world-class literary works that touched the people and literary communities throughout the world. Although Yeats died in 1939, his literary works live on and are appreciated by people throughout the world.

General Introduction  

 Poets are generally interested in putting across their ideas through their poems. At times, they wish to express what humans long for. They this by bringing out the inner desires or intentions based on their experiences. They wish to share their perceptions and experiences, thier inner feelings and desires with people or their readers. They used words to bring out the human dimensions and inner feelings. These are rich experiences that make readers become aware of some issues or concerns.

In the poem, The Lake Isle of Innisfree by William  Butler Yeats, the persona makes some observations and expresses his inner feelings and what he wants in life. The persona shares his or her feelings or concerns.

Subject of The Poem

The poem relates to a place called the Lake Isle of Innisfree. The subject of the poem is the beautiful Lake Isle of Innisfree. The place is a sanctuary where one can escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. The placer offers various attractions and is unique.

Themes of The Poem

The theme of the poem relates to the general idea or ideas running throughout the poem. A poem may have one or more theme depending on the subject of the poem the persona deals with and the experiences the persona undergoes and inner desires of the persona. There are several themes in the poem "The Lake Isle of Innisfree". The themes are:

• The need for peace and quiet
• The need for preservation of nature
• The inner drive for freedom and harmony
• To be part and parcel of nature
• To appreciate nature's wonders
• To escape the hustle and bustle of city life
•  To be forward-looking or having a vision in life

Tone of The Poem

The tone of the poem refers to the feelings, attitudes, perceptions, experiences and inner drives of the persona It also relates to the mood of the persona (angry, sad, upset, disappointed, regretful, sarcastic, etc.) These feelings, attitudes and perceptions are expressed either directly or indirectly. The persona appreciates the wonders of nature and longs to be with nature.

In "The Lake Isle of Innisfree", the persona feels a strong urge to get away from his present place in the city to the Lake Isle of Innisfree. He wants to enjoy peace and quiet, and be close with nature. He wishes to leave for the sanctuary immediately. The persona says:

"I will arise and go now, and go to Innisfree"
"I hear it in the deep heart's core" 

The persona is hopeful and looks forward to enjoying life with  nature. He wants to do a lot of things. He wants to build a small cabin, plant rows of beans, live in bee-loud glade, see the wonders of nature such as the dropping snow, watch birds and insects, and see the beautiful days and nights.

He wants to find harmony by enjoying peace, hear the cricket sings and linnets fly. He wants to listen to lake water lapping.

The poet is optimistic and believes that there is a greater meaning to live in the lake Isle of Innisfree than to be in his present state. The poem teaches us to be forward-looking and have a vision in life.

Moral Values

The poem deals with nature and the environment. The persona looks forward to find peace and quiet in the Lake Isle of Innisfree. The persona accepts the place as a paradise.

From the poem "The Lake Isle of Innisfree" we learn that it is important to appreciate nature. Nature has many wonders to offer but as human beings we take them for granted.

We must learn to be close to nature and enjoy its beauty. We must take time to be in places where we are able to find peace and quiet. This will make our lives less stressful, harmonious and very meaningful. The poem also teaches us to preserve nature (the environment). We should be proud of the natural heritage.

Language

Poets use language to make the presentation of the poem more interesting. They use language to engage the readers senses' and imagination. Poets use different styles to express their ideas, feelings, experiences, and inner drives.

Style refers to the unique features of a peace of poem, which differ from other poems. Poets use a particular style which allows them to get readers to be interested and appreciate their poems. In "The Lake Isle of Innisfree" the poet (William Butler Yeats) makes use of three stanzas to express his feelings and share his dreams or expectations in life.

In "The Lake Isle of Innisfree" the poet uses the following words, phrases or sayings that are commonly used. The poet also uses imagery (words, phrases or expressions) which works on our senses. Our senses are engaged through the use of particular imagery and we, as the readers, feel the experiences, as if we too are part of the experiences or events. We also feel the emotions or moods of the persona, as we read the poems.

Let's look at how the poet uses language to work on our senses:
 
Imagery              :  Words and phrases used in the "The Lake Isle of  Innisfree"
Sense of Sight    :  'a small cabin' 'clay and wattles' 'bean-rows' 'hive for honey bee' 'glade' 'snow'
                              'cricket' 'midnight' 'noon' 'purple' 'evening' 'glimmer' 'linnet's wings'
                              'night and day' 'lake water' 'shore' 'roadway' 'pavements' 'grey'
Sense of hearing : 'bee-loud glade' 'cricket sings' 'linnet's wings' 'water lapping' 'hear it in the deep
                               heart's core'
Sense of smell     : 'honey'
Sense of taste       : 'honey'
Sense of touch     : 'clay' 'wattles' 'veils of the morning'

The poet uses words and phrases to make us share the experiences. He uses words that show determination and seriousness. He says:

"I will arise and go now...."
"I hear it..."

He also repeats the phrase "I will arise and go now..." which further shows that he is very determined to go to Innisfree. He also uses the word 'hear' twice to show that he is listening to the sound of nature, as if he is already in Innisfree.

The poet uses figurative language. Figurative language is the use of words and phrases (words, phrases or saying which provide a mental picture, and often give different meanings from the usual use). Some of these words and phrases make comparisons.

Figurative language used in the poem appears in the form of:
"bee-loud glade", "peace comes dropping slow", "veils of the morning", "midnight's all a glimmer", "noon a purple glow", "the  cricket sings" and "evening full of linnet's wings". These phrases make the poem comes alive and make the readers imagine how the place looks like.

The poet uses words that give us information on the environment. Snow (white), midnight's a glimmer (the sky is full of stars), noon a purple glow (the sight of purple flowers in the afternoon).

There is also mention of the time of the day: now (at a particular moment), midnight, noon, evening, night and day. The poet uses these words to tell us that the place is beautiful all the time and he wishes to go to the place at once or immediately.

In Stanza One, the persona has the urge to go to Innisfree and enjoy the beauty of the place. He wants to build a small cabin to stay,  start a small farm and keep a hive of honey-bees. He wishes to be alone.

In Stanza Two, the persona wishes to experience the wonders of nature, see and feel the snow, watch the fauna and flora, and enjoy the beautiful mornings, evenings, afternoons, and midnights.

In the third stanza, the persona feels the strong pull of nature and wants to be at the lake to hear the water lapping. The persona is in the city but feels that Innisfree is very close to his heart.

The poet uses Innisfree as a symbol. In literature, symbols relate to the use of objects, animals or human experiences or socio-cultural aspects to  mean something. The eagle is often seen as a symbol of freedom and strength. Red symbolises danger. Green would mainly refer to the environment.

The Lake Isle of Innisfree is used to show that there is a place for everyone to find peace and quiet. I allows people to escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. It also allows one to be stress-free and take time to appreciate nature. Innisfree is the symbol of inner peace and freedom.

Glossary

arise - to occur as a result from a particular situation / wake up and go
cabin - a small house or shelter
clay - a type of heavy, sticky earth that becomes hard when it is baked and is used to make things such as pots and bricks
wattles - sticks twisted together as a material for  making fences, walls
hive - a structure made for bees to live in
bee-loud glade - a small open area of grass in a wood or forest
peace - a situation or a period of time in which there is no war or violence in a country
veils -  a thin layer that stops one from seeing something
glimmer - a faint unsteady light
linnet - a small brown and grey bird of the FINCH family
lapping - touching something gently and regularly, often making a soft sound
shore - the land along the edge of the sea or ocean
roadway - a road or the part of a road used by vehicles
pavements - a flat part of the side of a road for people to walk on
grey - having the colour of smoke or ashes
core - the most important or central part of something

Additional words
desires - strong wishes in a person to do something
urge - a strong desire or drive to do something
expectation - believe that something would  happen, hope for something
optimistic - a positive feeling that things would turn out well
paradise - a sanctuary or place where one can find peace and harmony
determination - a drive to do something to achieve a goal
natural heritage - the natural environment, the environment that we inherit

JOKE : A Really Bad Day

There was this guy at a bar, just looking at his drink. He stays like that for half of an hour.

Then, this big trouble-making truck driver steps next to him, takes the drink from the guy, and just drinks it all down. The poor man starts crying. The truck driver says, "Come on man, I was just joking. Here, I'll buy you another drink. I just can't stand to see a man cry."

"No, it's not that. This day is the worst of my life. First, I fall asleep, and I go late to my office. My boss, outrageous, fires me. When I leave the building, to my car, I found out it was stolen. The police said that they can do nothing. I get a cab to return home, and when I leave it, I remember I left my wallet and credit cards there. The cab driver just drives away."

"I go home, and when I get there, I find my wife in bed with the gardener. I leave home, and come to this bar. And just when I was thinking about putting an end to my life, you show up and drink my poison."

JOKE : Generous Lawyer

A local United Way office realized that the organization had never received a donation from the town's most successful lawyer. The person in charge of contributions called him to persuade him to contribute.

"Our research shows that out of a yearly income of at least $500,000, you give not a penny to charity. Wouldn't you like to give back to the community in some way?"

The lawyer mulled this over for a moment and replied, "First, did your research also show that my mother is dying after a long illness, and has medical bills that are several times her annual income?"

Embarrassed, the United Way rep mumbled, "Um ... no."

The lawyer interrupts, "or that my brother, a disabled veteran, is blind and confined to a wheelchair?"

The stricken United Way rep began to stammer out an apology, but was interrupted again.

"or that my sister's husband died in a traffic accident," the lawyer's voice rising in indignation, "leaving her penniless with three children?!"

The humiliated United Way rep, completely beaten, said simply, "I had no idea..."

On a roll, the lawyer cut him off once again, "So if I don't give any money to them, why should I give any to you?"

POEM : THE DEAD CROW

He saw a death crow

in a drain

near the post office.

He saw an old man

gasping for air

and a baby barely able to breathe

in a crowded morning clinic.

This land is so rich.

Why should we suffer like this?

I want clean air

for my grandchildren.

I want the damned fools

to leave the forest alone.

I want the trees to grow,

the rivers run free,

and earth covered with grass.

Let the politicians plan how we may live with dignity,

now and always.

A.Samad Said

Biography of The Poet

A. Samad Said is well known for his literary works and is a distinguished personality in the literary world. He has a number of National Award to honour him and his remarkable literary works. He has been honoured with the title Sasterawan Negara or National Laureate in 1985, which was awarded as recognition for his contributions to literature.

A. Samad Said introduces a new form of literary style in his works which marked uniqueness in his writings and poems. He is a sharp observer, and records his observations in writing, paying attention to minute details and narrative accuracies. This has enabled him to produced literary works that mirror real life situations and dramatic experiences. His novel "Salina" provides detailed descriptions of life and the human dimensions. Most of his literary works relate to human experiences in society and provides socio-cultural dimensions, into the lives of the ordinary peoples. Many of his literary works have been translated into English and other languages. His literary works are well-received and appreciated for their remarkable literary richness.

General Introduction

Poets are generally interested in putting across their ideas through their poems. They do this through their observations and based on their experiences. They wish to share their perceptions and experiences with people or the readers. They use words to bring out the human dimensions and what they go through in their lives. These are rich experiences that make readers become aware of some issues and concerns. 

In the poem, The Dead Crow by A. Samad Said, the persona makes some observations and expresses his feelings of what is happening. The persona shares his or her feelings and concerns.

Subject of The Poem

The poem relates to pollution and issues concerning the environment. The subject of the poem is the preservation of the environment for future generations. The environment is everyone's concern and there is a need for everyone to protect the environment.

Theme of The Poem

The theme of the poem relates to the general idea or ideas running throughout the poem. A poem may have one or more themes depending on the subject of the poem the persona deals with and the experiences the persona undergoes. There are several themes in the poem "The Dead Crow". The themes are :

• The pollution of the environment
• The need for preservation of nature
• The dangers of modernisation
• Awareness for the need for balanced development

Tone of The Poem

The tone of the poem refers to the feelings, attitudes, perceptions and experiences of the persona. It also relates to the mood of the persona (angry, sad, upset, disappointed, regretful, sarcastic, etc). These feelings, attitudes and perceptions are expressed either directly or indirectly.

In "The Dead Crow", the persona feels angry and disappointed. He feels regretful that the environment is taken for granted. The persona asks "Why should we suffer like this?" The poet is cynical when he says: "I want the damn fools to leave the forest alone."

People are suffering because of the polluted environments. The persona demands for clean air, forest to be left alone, trees to grow, rivers to flow freely and the earth to be covered with grass. The persona hopes for a better and cleaner environment for the people and future generations.

Moral Values

The poem deals with pollution and the environment. Environmental problems and pollution are happening everywhere. The persona notices that a crow is dead in the drain, 'an old is gasping for air', a baby having difficulty breathing, and a crowded clinic. The environment is a threat to animals and people. The persona is fearful that the would no longer be clean, forests would be destroyed, rivers being polluted and cannot flow freely, trees are not allowed to grow and are felled, and the Earth is no longer green. The persona is worried that there would be nothing left for future generations to appreciate the beauty of nature if the damage to the environment continues.

From the poem "The Dead Crow" we learn that, it is important to protect the environment. We cannot allow modernisation to rob us of the environment and nature. We need to preserve nature (the environment) for the good of the people and for future generations. We should be proud of the natural heritage and protect it.

We should learn to take care of the environment and carry out development in a balanced manner without destroying the fauna (animals) and flora (forests, trees, earth) and nature (rivers, atmosphere). Thus, we need to play our part in the preservation of the environment and in reducing pollution.

Language

Poets use language to make the presentation of the poem more interesting. They use  language to engage the readers' senses and imagination. Poets use different styles to express their ideas, feelings and experiences.

Style refers to the unique features of a piece of poem, which differs from other poems. Poets use a particular style, which allows them to gain readers' interest and appreciation for their poems. In "The Dead Crow" the poet (A.Samad Said) makes use of two stanzas to express his feelings and share his experiences.

In "The Dead Crow" the poet uses the following words, phrases or sayings that are commonly used. The poet also uses imagery (words, phrases or expressions) which works on our senses. Our senses are engaged through the use of particular imagery and we, as the readers feel the experiences, as if we too are part of the experiences or events. We also feel the emotions or moods of the persona, as we read the poems.

Imagery : Words  and phrases used in the "The Dead Crow"
Sense of sight : 'a dead crow' 'drain' 'post office' 'old man' 'baby' 'clinic' 'earth covered with grass'
Sense of hearing : 'crowded clinic' 'rivers run free'
Sense of smell : 'a dead crow'

The poet uses words to state that people are suffering because of the polluted environment. He uses words or phrases like 'an old man gasping for air' and 'a baby barely able to breath' (in Stanza 1) to show the seriousness of the problem of pollution.

In Stanza One, the poet uses the word "He" to refer to someone (a male; as it could be a young man, a boy, and adult or an old man). The poet tells what the person sees (the dead crow, and the suffering of the people, both young and old). In Stanza Two, the poet uses the word "I" and becomes involved in the poem. The poet, states what he wishes to see, and what should not be done. The poet uses the word "want" showing us that the persona is making demands. His demands are: 'clean air', 'leave the forest alone', 'trees to grow', 'rivers run free', 'earth covered with grass'.

The poem "The Dead Crow" relates to observations someone makes on what is happening and the persona's demands for a cleaner and better environment for the people and future generations. The poet uses the words "forests", "grass" and "trees" (in Stanza Two) which relate to the environment. We get the impression of a green environment.

The poet uses a dead crow as a symbol. In literature, symbols relate to the use of objects, animals or human experiences or socio-cultural aspects to mean something. The eagle is often seen as a symbol of freedom and strength. Red symbolises danger. Green would mainly refer to the environment.

The dead crow is used to show that the issue of pollution needs to be taken seriously. A crow is a scavenger which lives on the carcasses of animals or carrion, rubbish, and left-over food. If a scavenger like a crow could be found dead, then something is seriously wrong with the environment. The poet also uses the suffering of the people, who find it difficult to breath, to show the seriousness of the problem of pollution. There is an urgent need to protect the environment.

Glossory

1. gasping - wanting or needing something very badly 
2. barely - in a way that almost does not happen or exist
3. suffer - to be badly affected by a disease, pain, sadness, a lack of something
4. damned - to show annoyance or disappointment
5. covered - placed something over or in front of something in order to hide or protect it
6. politicians - people who are concerned with politics
7. dignity - a sense of your own importance and value

Additional words:

1. issues - important topics or matters that people discuss, problems that draw people's attention
2. concerns - are matters that cause people to worry or fear
3. cynical - showing a negative attitude that things would not turn out well 
4. imagery - words that create pictures in one's mind, words that engage one's senses
5. observation - watching or noticing something carefully
6. symbol - the use of objects to represent ideas and meanings
7. scavenger - an animal that looks for food in waste or rubbish, or eats dead animals 
8. carcasses - dead bodies of animals 
9. carrion - the flesh of decaying animals

  

POEM : LIFE'S BRIEF CANDLE

 

To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow,

Creeps in this petty pace from day to day

To the last syllable of recorded time,

And all our yesterdays have lighted fools

The way to dusty death. Out, out brief candle!

Life's but a walking shadows, a poor player,

That struts and frets his hour upon the stage,

And then is heard no more; it is a tale

Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,

Signifying nothing.

 William Shakespeare

 Biography of the Poet

William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon, in 1564. He wrote many plays for theatre. He was a creative and serious playwright and actor, who earned the respect of aristocrats and commoners alike.

William Shakespeare plays brought out the human dimensions. Human emotions, experiences and perceptions made his plays interesting and exciting. His plays were of comedy, tragic-comedy, and dramatic. Throughout his lifetime, he wrote more than 37 plays. His works include "Macbeth", "Mid-Summer Night's Dream", "Romeo and Juliet", "Hamlet", "King Lear", "The Tempest" and other interesting plays. He also wrote poems that appeared in his plays. Although William Shakespeare died in 1616, his literary works are still popular and well-received by people throughout the world. 

General Introduction

Poet are generally interested in putting across their ideas through their poems. They used words to bring out the human dimensions relating to joyful and tragic events, incidents or situations.

In the poem Life's Brief Candle by William Shakespeare, the main character in the play "Macbeth" deals with the situation where he finds out that his wife, Lady Macbeth is dead. The news of Lady Macbeth's death makes him feel remorse and he is in despair. Macbeth realises that life is short and meaningless.

 

Subject of Poem 

The poem relates to a tragic moment. The subject of the poem is death. Life is short or brief; just like the candle, which can only burn for a fixed period of  time. The poem deals with death. Death is unpredictable. No one can live forever, when the time comes, all of us will have to meet the end of life.

Theme of The Poem 

The team of the poem relates to the general idea or ideas running throughout the poem. A poem may have one or more themes depending on the subject the persona deals with and the experiences the persona undergoes. There are several themes in the poem "Life's Brief Candle". The themes are:

• life is short (just like a brief candle)
• life is meaningless (no one realises the importance of life)
• life is unpredictable (no one can live forever as one's lifetime is limited; death is unpredictable, and it can happen anytime)
• life is temporary (just like the brief candle) 

  

Tone of The Poem

The tone of the poem refers to the feelings, attitudes, perceptions and experiences of the persona. It also relates to the mood of the persona (angry, sad, upset, disappointed, regretful, sarcastic, etc). These feelings, attitudes and perceptions are expressed either directly or indirectly. The persona undergoes certain experiences that make him or her react in a particular way or shows particular emotions. These emotions show whether the persona is sarcastic, furious, lamenting, emotionally strong, weak or even sceptical about an issue or the future.

In Life's Brief Candle, the persona is regretful that his wife, Lady Macbeth is dead. He is saddened with the death and feels that life is too short and meaningless. He realises that both life and death are unpredictable. He feels despair and expects bad things to happen in life. These feelings show that the persona is pessimistic. He says that:

"The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle! Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player"

Moral Values

The poem deals with death and shows that life is short. We learn that life is short and unpredictable. Therefore, one should learn to use time wisely and to the fullest to ensure a successful life. The poem teaches us that we must also set goals in life and make life meaningful, so that we know what we want to do in life.

Language

Poets use language to make the presentation of the poem more interesting. They use language to engage the readers' senses and imagination. Poets use different styles to express their ideas, feelings, and experiences. 


Style refers to the unique feature of a piece of poem which differ from other poems. Poets use a particular style which allow them get the readers be interested and appreciate their poems. 


In "Life's Brief Candle" the poet uses the following figurative language (words, phrases or sayings which provide a mental picture, and often give different meanings from the usual use). The poet also uses imagery (words, phases or expressions) which works on our senses. Our five senses are engaged through the use of particular imagery and we, as the readers feel the experiences, as if we too are part of the experiences or events. We also feel the emotions or moods of the persona, as we read the poems. 

Imagery : Words and phrases used in the "Life's a Brief Candle"

Sense of touch : 'creeps in this petty pace' (line 2)

Sense of sight : 'a walking shadow' (line 6)

Sense of hearing : full of sound and fury (line 9)

The poet uses words to state that life is like a brief candle. Life moves slowly from day to day until the end of time. The end of time is until one's death.

"Creeps in this petty pace from day to day 

  To the last syllable of recorded time"

The poet uses words to show that life is nothing but 'a walking shadow' and 'a poor player'.

Glossary

1. creeps - moves slowly, quietly and carefully
2. petty - small and unimportant 
3. pace - the speed at which something happens
4. syllable - any of the units into which a word is divided
5. all our yesterdays - the recent past
6. dusty - full of dust
7. brief - short
8. shadow - the dark shape made when a light shines on a person or an object
9. struts - to proudly show one's ability
10. frets - to be worried or unhappy and not able to relax
11. stage - a raised area, usually in a theatre where actors, dancers perform 
12. heard - listened or paid attention to somebody or something 
13. tale - story created using the imagination especially one that is full of action and adventure
14. idiot - a very stupid person
15. sound and fury - noise and extreme anger
16. signifying - meaning