'A Prayer For My Daughter' by William Butler Yeats
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Once more the storm is howling, and half hid
Under this cradle-hood and coverlid
My child sleeps on. There is no obstacle
But Gregory's wood and one bare hill
Whereby the haystack- and roof-levelling wind.
Bred on the Atlantic, can be stayed;
And for an hour I have walked and prayed
Because of the great gloom that is in my mind.
I have walked and prayed for this young child an hour
And heard the sea-wind scream upon the tower,
And-under the arches of the bridge, and scream
In the elms above the flooded stream;
Imagining in excited reverie
That the future years had come,
Dancing to a frenzied drum,
Out of the murderous innocence of the sea.
May she be granted beauty and yet not
Beauty to make a stranger's eye distraught,
Or hers before a looking-glass, for such,
Being made beautiful overmuch,
Consider beauty a sufficient end,
Lose natural kindness and maybe
The heart-revealing intimacy
That chooses right, and never find a friend.
Helen being chosen found life flat and dull
And later had much trouble from a fool,
While that great Queen, that rose out of the spray,
Being fatherless could have her way
Yet chose a bandy-leggèd smith for man.
It's certain that fine women eat
A crazy salad with their meat
Whereby the Horn of plenty is undone.
In courtesy I'd have her chiefly learned;
Hearts are not had as a gift but hearts are earned
By those that are not entirely beautiful;
Yet many, that have played the fool
For beauty's very self, has charm made wisc.
And many a poor man that has roved,
Loved and thought himself beloved,
From a glad kindness cannot take his eyes.
May she become a flourishing hidden tree
That all her thoughts may like the linnet be,
And have no business but dispensing round
Their magnanimities of sound,
Nor but in merriment begin a chase,
Nor but in merriment a quarrel.
O may she live like some green laurel
Rooted in one dear perpetual place.
My mind, because the minds that I have loved,
The sort of beauty that I have approved,
Prosper but little, has dried up of late,
Yet knows that to be choked with hate
May well be of all evil chances chief.
If there's no hatred in a mind
Assault and battery of the wind
Can never tear the linnet from the leaf.
An intellectual hatred is the worst,
So let her think opinions are accursed.
Have I not seen the loveliest woman born
Out of the mouth of plenty's horn,
Because of her opinionated mind
Barter that horn and every good
By quiet natures understood
For an old bellows full of angry wind?
Considering that, all hatred driven hence,
The soul recovers radical innocence
And learns at last that it is self-delighting,
Self-appeasing, self-affrighting,
And that its own sweet will is Heaven's will;
She can, though every face should scowl
And every windy quarter howl
Or every bellows burst, be happy Still.
And may her bridegroom bring her to a house
Where all's accustomed, ceremonious;
For arrogance and hatred are the wares
Peddled in the thoroughfares.
How but in custom and in ceremony
Are innocence and beauty born?
Ceremony's a name for the rich horn,
And custom for the spreading laurel tree.
Editor 1 Interpretation
A Prayer For My Daughter: A Literary Masterpiece by William Butler Yeats
When it comes to poetry, there are very few poets who can match the brilliance of William Butler Yeats. Throughout his career, Yeats produced some of the most beautiful and thought-provoking poems that have come to define modern literature. Among his many masterpieces, one poem that stands out is "A Prayer For My Daughter."
This poem was first published in 1919, and it remains one of Yeats' most popular works. It is a tribute to his daughter, Anne, who was born in 1919. The poem is not just a celebration of his daughter's birth but also a reflection on the world that she would grow up in. Yeats was deeply concerned about the political and social changes that were happening in his time, and he felt that the world was becoming a more dangerous place for his daughter.
The Themes of A Prayer For My Daughter
"A Prayer For My Daughter" is a poem that is rich in themes, and one of its central themes is the idea of innocence. Yeats was deeply concerned about the loss of innocence in the world, and he believed that his daughter's innocence was something that he needed to protect. In the poem, Yeats writes,
"How but in custom and in ceremony Are innocence and beauty born? Ceremony's a name for the rich horn, And custom for the spreading laurel tree."
Yeats is suggesting that innocence and beauty are not things that are innate in people but are instead created through customs and ceremonies. He believes that it is the responsibility of the older generation to create an environment where innocence and beauty can flourish.
Another important theme in the poem is the idea of gender roles. Yeats was a product of his time, and he had very traditional views of gender roles. He believed that men and women had very different roles to play in society, and that men were responsible for protecting women. In the poem, he writes,
"May she be granted beauty and yet not Beauty to make a stranger's eye distraught, Or hers before a looking-glass, for such, Being made beautiful overmuch, Consider beauty a sufficient end, Lose natural kindness, and maybe The heart-revealing intimacy That chooses right, and never find a friend."
Yeats is suggesting that women should be beautiful but not too beautiful, as this can be a distraction. He also believes that women should not be too independent, as this can lead to them losing their natural kindness and the ability to choose the right friends.
The Structure of A Prayer For My Daughter
One of the most striking things about "A Prayer For My Daughter" is its structure. The poem is divided into twelve sections, and each section has a different rhyme scheme. This gives the poem a sense of progression, as Yeats moves from one idea to the next.
The first section of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the poem. Yeats begins by describing the world that his daughter will grow up in, and he expresses his concerns about the dangers that she will face. He then goes on to describe the kind of person that he wants his daughter to be. He writes,
"May she be granted beauty and yet not Beauty to make a stranger's eye distraught, Or hers before a looking-glass, for such, Being made beautiful overmuch, Consider beauty a sufficient end, Lose natural kindness, and maybe The heart-revealing intimacy That chooses right, and never find a friend."
This section sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as Yeats expresses his hopes and fears for his daughter.
The second section of the poem is where Yeats begins to explore the idea of innocence. He writes,
"An intellectual hatred is the worst, So let her think opinions are accursed."
Yeats is suggesting that his daughter should not be too intellectual, as this can lead to a kind of cynicism that is harmful to her innocence.
The third section of the poem is where Yeats begins to explore the idea of gender roles. He writes,
"May she be granted beauty and yet not Beauty to make a stranger's eye distraught, Or hers before a looking-glass, for such, Being made beautiful overmuch, Consider beauty a sufficient end, Lose natural kindness, and maybe The heart-revealing intimacy That chooses right, and never find a friend."
This section sets the stage for the rest of the poem, as Yeats expresses his views on what it means to be a woman.
The rest of the poem is a series of reflections on the world that his daughter will grow up in. Yeats explores themes such as politics, religion, and the nature of beauty. He also reflects on the role that he will play in his daughter's life, and he expresses his hopes and fears for her future.
The Language of A Prayer For My Daughter
"A Prayer For My Daughter" is a poem that is rich in language. Yeats was a master of the English language, and he used it to great effect in this poem. The language in the poem is very poetic, and it is full of metaphors and imagery.
One of the most striking things about the language in the poem is the use of repetition. Yeats repeats certain phrases throughout the poem, and this gives the poem a sense of rhythm and unity. For example, he repeats the phrase "May she" throughout the poem, and this gives the poem a sense of purpose.
Another important aspect of the language in the poem is the use of imagery. Yeats uses a wide range of imagery in the poem, from the beauty of nature to the horrors of war. He also uses imagery to explore themes such as gender roles and the loss of innocence.
Conclusion
Overall, "A Prayer For My Daughter" is a masterpiece of modern literature. It is a poem that is rich in themes, language, and structure, and it is a tribute to Yeats' skill as a poet. The poem explores ideas such as innocence, gender roles, and the nature of beauty, and it does so in a way that is both beautiful and thought-provoking. If you have not read this poem before, I highly recommend that you do so.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
A Prayer For My Daughter: An Analysis of Yeats' Classic Poem
William Butler Yeats is one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century. His works are known for their deep symbolism, rich imagery, and profound insights into the human condition. Among his many masterpieces is the poem "A Prayer For My Daughter," which was written in 1919, shortly after the birth of his daughter, Anne Butler Yeats. In this poem, Yeats expresses his hopes and fears for his daughter's future, and offers a prayer for her protection and well-being. In this article, we will analyze and explain the themes, imagery, and language of this classic poem.
Themes
The central theme of "A Prayer For My Daughter" is the relationship between fathers and daughters, and the anxieties that fathers feel about the future of their daughters. Yeats was deeply concerned about the political and social upheavals of his time, and he feared that his daughter would be exposed to the same dangers and uncertainties that he saw around him. In the poem, he expresses his desire to protect his daughter from these dangers, and to ensure that she grows up to be a virtuous and happy woman.
Another important theme of the poem is the role of women in society. Yeats was a staunch advocate of women's rights, and he believed that women had an important role to play in shaping the future of society. In "A Prayer For My Daughter," he expresses his hope that his daughter will be a strong and independent woman, who will be able to resist the pressures of a male-dominated society.
Imagery
The imagery of "A Prayer For My Daughter" is rich and evocative, and it helps to convey the themes and emotions of the poem. One of the most striking images in the poem is the image of the "dancing-masters" who "wring from the foolish or the brave / The timid or the passionate / Great glory, and they praise the dead." This image represents the dangers of fame and glory, and the way in which they can lead people astray. Yeats is warning his daughter to be wary of these temptations, and to focus instead on the more important things in life.
Another powerful image in the poem is the image of the "bee-loud glade." This image represents the beauty and harmony of nature, and the way in which it can provide a refuge from the chaos and turmoil of the world. Yeats is suggesting that his daughter should seek out this kind of beauty and harmony in her own life, and that it will help to sustain her through the difficult times ahead.
Language
The language of "A Prayer For My Daughter" is both beautiful and complex. Yeats uses a variety of poetic techniques, such as alliteration, rhyme, and repetition, to create a musical and rhythmic effect. He also uses a rich and varied vocabulary, which includes many archaic and obscure words, to create a sense of depth and complexity.
One of the most striking features of the language of the poem is its use of symbolism. Yeats uses a wide range of symbols, such as the "dancing-masters," the "bee-loud glade," and the "blue and gold" of the sky, to represent different aspects of the human experience. These symbols help to create a sense of unity and coherence in the poem, and to convey its deeper meanings and themes.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "A Prayer For My Daughter" is a powerful and moving poem that expresses the hopes and fears of a father for his daughter's future. Through its rich imagery, complex language, and profound insights, the poem offers a meditation on the nature of human existence, and the challenges that we all face in our lives. It is a testament to Yeats' genius as a poet, and to his deep love for his daughter, that this poem continues to resonate with readers today, almost a century after it was written.
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