A PRAYER FOR MY DAUGHTER BY W. B. YEATS

A PRAYER FOR MY DAUGHTER BY W. B.YEATS

Question 1:Write a detailed analysis of the poem A Prayer for My Daughter in your own words.

ABOUT AUTHOR:

William Butler Yeats, born in 1865, was a prominent Irish poet and dramatist known for his role in the Irish Literary Revival and association with the Abbey Theatre. He received the Nobel Prize in Literature. Notable works include "Reveries over Childhood and Youth," influenced by his relationship with Maud Gonne. Yeats delved into Irish folklore and explored themes related to the Irish War of Independence. Works like "The Tower" and "The Winding Stair" showcase his evolving interest in mysticism, occultism, and a shift from romantic to political themes. His oeuvre reflects a fusion of philosophical, spiritual, and realistic elements.

ANALYSIS:

The poet starts by describing a storm, symbolizing difficult times. The storm is compared to a cradle covering, suggesting that it affects something innocent and vulnerable. Despite the storm, the poet's child continues to sleep peacefully. The poet mentions two things: "Gregory's wood" and a lone hill. These could symbolize obstacles or challenges.

The poet expresses concern about a powerful wind and mentions walking and praying to alleviate a heavy sense of gloom. The poet reveals that the walk and prayer were specifically for the well-being of the child. The imagery of the sea-wind screaming suggests turmoil, echoing the storm mentioned earlier. The poet starts to imagine what the future holds for the child, getting caught up in these thoughts.

The imagery shifts to a dance, perhaps symbolizing the chaotic nature of life. The poet wonders what could have influenced the child to carry such a tune in her metaphorical tongue. The poet expresses a sense of emptiness, comparing it to the seemingly empty moon on stormy seas. The poet continues walking, mentioning winning a golden troth-plight (promise) in the shadow of the hill. The tone turns contemplative, expressing a desire for peace.

The poet hears voices in the night, likening them to the busy murmur of the moving air. The poet reflects on experiences of encountering anger and fleeting dreams. There's a plea for understanding and a recognition of the need to shed tears. The poet envisions their prayer as a sturdy tower, unaffected by external forces. The burning leaves may symbolize the lasting nature of the prayer.

The mention of a severed head on a plate is likely symbolic, and the poet continues to sing about an imagined ocean, possibly representing the vastness of life. The poet refers to imagined deer and mirages, highlighting the illusory nature of certain experiences. The description of troops and the shore emphasizes this surreal quality.

The poet encourages the singing to continue, suggesting that sleeping is an image of cold death, and emphasizing the vulnerability of the poor. The poet reflects on a strange and monstrous thought – that the worst player wins. This thought leads to the idea that mismanagement and folly are rewarded, and things transition from the physical realm to the realm of the mind.

The poet explores the idea that everything moves from the mind to the will, and only empty souls can tolerate misfortune, pride, and deafness. The poet talks about bidding the unborn to kneel and obey, drawing a comparison to tall candles on birthdays that wax and wane, symbolizing the transient nature of life. A vivid image of white hens laying eggs on snow is presented, symbolizing a situation and a place that reflects the mind. The poet admits to not having stood upon the summit to observe the plain, farmhouse, chimney, vane, yellow rocks, and fan-tailed parrots. The poet confesses to exaggerating things because they haven't personally witnessed the scenes described earlier.

Question:2: "

  " May she be granted beauty,and yet           not

    Beauty to make a stranger’s eye                  distraught,"

What is your interpretation of these lines?

Answer:

The lines from "A Prayer for My Daughter" by W. B. Yeats show a father's concern for his daughter's well-being. He wishes for her to be beautiful but not to the extent that it bothers strangers. This reflects the challenges of dealing with societal expectations about appearance.

In our modern society, where looks matter a lot, the father may want his daughter to be physically attractive so she can feel confident. However, he's also aware of the potential issues that come with it, like unwanted attention or judgments from others.

The wish may address problems like objectification, where people, especially women, face unfair treatment based on their looks. The father seems to understand the balance between appreciating beauty and dealing with a world that can be judgmental.

Considering concerns about body image today, the father may hope that his daughter's beauty boosts her self-esteem instead of causing problems like feeling unworthy.

In simple terms, the lines convey the father's hope for his daughter to handle societal expectations about beauty gracefully, ensuring that her looks enhance her life without causing distress or harm.