W.B. Yeats has thought and written much about the theory and practice of his own poetic art. For a full understanding of his poems, it is necessary to have some knowledge of his theory of poetry. He believed in the theory of "Art for art's sake" during the early stage of his poetic career. But actually, his genius was lyrical. It penetrated his essentially lyrical dreams. In the 1919s in his early career, he became the advocate of "art for art's sake". He began writing "pure poetry" under the influence of the French symbolists and the English Aesthetes. He divested such poetry of all the exterior decorations.
In the last phase of his poetical career, he tried to reconcile art with life. There is a nice fusion of the two things in the poetry of his later phase. There, he insisted that the life of the past can be made relevant to the present by the synthetic power of the poet's imagination. "Literature must be flooded with the passion and beliefs of ancient times; it is mere chronicles," he said. Literature is, according to his opinion, always personal, always one man's vision of the world. He also believed that there must be a fusion of the impersonal and the personal, of the objective and the subjective in really great poetry. Above all, Yeats believed that "poetry is the common sense of the soul: it distinguishes greatness from frivolity, mere fancifulness from beauty that lights up the depth of thought." Yeats's poetic theory was unique and had little similarity with other poets' views.William Butler Yeats was a great poet of the early 20th
century. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for literature in 1923. He also wrote some
dramas and some philosophical essays. As a poet, Yeats was acutely conscious of
the spiritual barrenness of his age. His whole artistic career is best seen as
an attempt, at first, to escape from the sordid materialism which he found on
every hand. and later to formulate a new positive ideal which would supply his spiritual
needs. The best remedy for the emptiness of the present seemed to lie in a return
to the simplicity of the past. To this period belong his narrative poem The
Wanderings of Oisin, published in 1889, Poems, published in 1895, and The Wind
among the Reeds, published in 1899. and The Shadowy Waters, published in 1900.
William Butler Yeats was born in Dublin on 13 June 1865. His
father, John Butler Yeats, was a painter of considerable repute. His mother was
of the Pollex fen family of County Sligo. He was educated in London but
returned to Ireland in 1880, and soon afterwards embarked on a literary career.
Recognition came quickly, and in 1891, he became a member of the Rhymers' Club,
of which Ernest Dawson and Lionel Johnson were also members. Soon after 1890,
Yeats began writing plays. He was a strong adherent of the Irish Nationalist
Movement and did much to assist in the creation of a national theatre. As a
result of the efforts of Yeats and his friends, The Abbey Theatre, Dublin, came
under the management of Yeats, who was made director of this theatre along with
J. M. Synge and Lady Gregory. The theatre played a great part in the revival of
Irish drama. In later years, his interest in the cause of Irish freedom led him
to an active participation in the disturbance of 1916.
He married Georgie Hyde-Lees on 20 October 1917. Then he embarked
on a public career which culminated in his election to the Senate of the Irish
Free State, and he remained in that position from 1922 to 1928. In 1923, he was
awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature. He died in France in 1939, and his body
was reinterred in Ireland in 1948.
The poetry that Yeats wrote between 1900 and 1910 shows a gradual
movement away from the escapism of his early work, and a steadily growing
courage in grasping the nettle of contemporary reality. To this period belong
The Green Helmet and Other Poems, published in. 1910, and Responsibilities,
published in 1914. Later on, the experiences of World War I and the Irish
troubles of 1916 induced him to make mystical and philosophical studies and excursions
into spiritualism. These led him to the promulgation of a new philosophical
system. Much of the poetry of this period was devoted to the expounding of his
theories. To this period belong his poems like The Wild Swans at Coole,
published in 1919, The Tower, published in 1928, and The Winding Stair and
Other Poems, published in 1933. In his last poems, his philosophy, hidden
beneath a mask of childlike simplicity, is put into the mouths of such
characters as The Fool. Poems published in 1938 and the last poems, published
in 1939, are poems of this type.
Yeats wrote some dramas also. But his dreams have little
dramatic quality. Their virtues lie only in poetry; they lack actuality and the
normal machinery of the theatre. His dramas are: The Countess Cathleen (1892),
The Land of Heart's Desire (1894), The Shadowy Waters (1900), On Baile's Strand
(1904), The King's Threshold (1904), Hour-Glass (1904), Deirdre (1907), The
Resurrection (1913), At the Hawk's Well (1917), The Only Jealousy of Emer (1919),
Calvary (1921), The cat and the Moon (1926), etc.
His prose works set forth his artistic and philosophical
ideas. Ideas of Good and Evil (1903), Discoveries (1907), The Cutting of an Agate
(1912), Per Amica Silentia Lunae (1918). The most important prose work is A
Vision, published in 1925, in which we have the fullest exposition of his
philosophy. His prose is simple and lucid, and enriched with pungent phrases
and rich pictures.
A Prayer for My Daughter was written in 1919, shortly
after Yeats’ marriage to Georgie Hyde-Lees, and during the chaotic period
following World War I and the Irish War of Independence. The poem
expresses Yeats’ hopes and fears for his newborn daughter, reflecting both
personal emotions and broader concerns about society and Ireland’s future.
Understanding The Poem: A Prayer for My Daughter
The storm is howling once more. My
child sleeps on under its cradle-hood. There is no obstacle in the way of the
blowing of the storm from the Atlantic except Gregory's wood and one bare hill.
I have walked and prayed for an hour because there is great gloom in my mind.
I imagined, in my excited reverie, that
the future years had already come, dancing to frenzied drum, out of the
treacherous calmness of the sea.
I pray that my daughter may have a moderate
amount of beauty, not too much, because too much of beauty creates in the
owner's mind the idea that it is life's objective. It makes her lose natural
kindness and candidness, which enables her to choose a friend.
Helen was granted too much beauty. She
found life dull, and later chose a fool who created much trouble. (Her
elopement with Paris, the Trojan prince,
caused the bloody Trojan War). Again, Athene, the goddess of love, chose
Vulcan, the bandy-legged smith, as her husband. And too beautiful women are
lavish, and destroy the horn of plenty.
I pray that she may have courtesy as
her moral quality. It can win hearts, even if she does not have enough beauty.
Sometimes a charming woman is considered wise if she has courtesy. And many a
poor man who has thought himself beloved can still not ignore kindness shown by
anybody.
She may be like a flourishing hidden
tree from where she can spread her thoughts like a linnet from a laurel tree.
She may not indulge futile merriment or quarrel. She may live like some green
laurel rooted in a dear perpetual place.
My mind has dried up because of my
disappointment with a beautiful lady (Maud Gonne). But I do not have any hatred
against her. Hatred chokes up the mind and is the chief evil. A mind without hatred
is well-protected against any assault (of spiritual nature).
Intellectual hatred is the worst. I
have seen the loveliest woman, born of rich parents, lose her plenty and give
herself up to violent outbursts of anger, because she has that kind of hatred
in her opinionated mind.
If all kinds of hatred are driven away
from the mind, the soul recovers its primeval innocence and learns that the soul
is "self-delighting, self-appeasing" and self-affrighting. It then
becomes the abode of Heaven's will, and happy in the face of all troubles and
adversities.
Her bridegroom may take her to his
house, where customs and ceremonies prevail. Hatred and arrogance belong to the
ordinary people, but in custom and ceremony, innocence is born. Ceremony leads
to prosperity and custom to stability.
Structure and Form
The structure and form of A Prayer for
My Daughter by W. B. Yeats play an important role in conveying the poet’s
thoughts and emotions. The poem is written in a highly organized and
traditional form, reflecting Yeats’s belief in order and discipline as
protection against chaos. It consists of ten stanzas, each containing eight
lines (octaves), making it a regular and balanced structure. This uniform
stanza pattern gives the poem a sense of control and calmness, and a sense of
balance and discipline, which contrasts
with the stormy imagery described at the beginning. It is a mirror of Yeats’s
wish for a well-ordered life for his daughter.
In terms of meter, the poem is mainly
written in iambic pentameter, a rhythmic pattern in which each line generally
contains ten syllables with alternating unstressed and stressed beats. This
steady rhythm creates a musical and reflective tone, suitable for a prayer-like
expression. The rhyme scheme of each stanza follows a regular pattern
(ABABCDCD), which further adds to the poem’s harmony and order. The use of such
a strict rhyme also symbolizes control over emotional expression, as Yeats channels
his fears and anxieties into a structured poetic form.
The poem is also structured as a
dramatic monologue or personal meditation, where the speaker (Yeats himself)
directly expresses his thoughts while observing his sleeping child. It begins
with external descriptions of the violent storm, then gradually shifts inward
to the poet’s reflections on beauty, character, and values, and finally ends
with a hopeful vision for the future. This progression from chaos to calmness
is reflected not only in imagery but also in the poem’s structural movement.
The form of a “prayer” in the poem is
also significant. Rather than directly instructing his daughter, Yeats frames
the poem as a series of hopes addressed almost like a blessing. This gives the poem
a gentle, sincere, and contemplative tone. Overall, the controlled structure,
regular rhyme, and traditional meter all reinforce the central idea of order, harmony,
and discipline as protection against the disorder of the modern world.
consistent meter, and controlled rhyme scheme—symbolizes stability, discipline,
and tradition. These formal qualities reinforce the central theme of the poem:
the need for balance, order, and inner strength in a turbulent world.
Themes
The major themes of A Prayer for
My Daughter by W. B. Yeats reflect the poet’s deep concern for his
child’s future in a troubled world and his desire for a balanced, virtuous life
for her.
One of the central themes is parental
love and anxiety. Yeats writes the poem as a prayer for his infant daughter
while a storm rages outside. The storm symbolizes the uncertain and violent
world, and this makes him worried about the life his daughter will face. His
love is protective, and he wishes to shield her from harm, both physical and
moral.
Another important theme is the contrast
between innocence and a corrupt world. The child, peacefully sleeping,
represents purity and innocence, while the storm outside represents chaos,
violence, and disorder. This contrast highlights Yeats’s fear that the harsh
realities of life may disturb his daughter’s innocence.
The poem also explores the idea of
beauty and its dangers. Yeats believes that excessive physical beauty can lead
to pride, vanity, and unhappiness. Referring to examples from history and
mythology, he suggests that too much beauty can bring trouble rather than
happiness. Therefore, he prays that his daughter will have moderate beauty
combined with inner goodness and humility.
A key theme is the importance of inner
virtues over outward qualities. Yeats values qualities such as kindness,
innocence, humility, and good manners more than physical attractiveness or
wealth. He believes that these moral virtues are essential for a peaceful and
happy life.
The theme of tradition and social order
is also very significant. Yeats emphasizes “custom” and “ceremony” as
stabilizing forces in society. He hopes his daughter will grow up in a
structured environment, symbolized by the idea of a “ceremonious house,” where
traditions guide behavior and protect individuals from chaos.
Finally, the poem reflects a broader
theme of the search for stability in a changing world. Written in the aftermath
of World War I, the poem shows Yeats’s concern about political instability and
social upheaval. His prayer expresses a longing for peace, harmony, and
balance, not just for his daughter but for society as a whole.
Overall, the themes of the poem revolve
around love, fear, morality, and the desire for order, showing Yeats’s hope
that his daughter will grow into a strong, virtuous, and well-balanced
individual despite the uncertainties of the world.
Imagery and Symbols
W. B. Yeats’s A Prayer for My
Daughter is rich in imagery and symbolism, through which he expresses his
deep concerns and hopes for his child in a troubled world. The poem opens with
powerful storm imagery, where the “howling wind” and raging sea symbolize chaos
and destruction, reflecting the instability of the time, especially after World
War I. This violent atmosphere mirrors the poet’s anxiety about the future his
daughter will face. In contrast to this chaos, Yeats introduces the symbol of a
tree, particularly the laurel, which represents stability, rootedness, and
peaceful growth. Through this image, he wishes his daughter to develop a
balanced and grounded character.
The poet also uses beauty as an
important symbol, suggesting that excessive beauty can lead to vanity and
unhappiness, as seen in mythological examples. Therefore, he hopes his daughter
will possess moderate beauty along with kindness and humility. Furthermore, the
image of a “ceremonious house” symbolizes order, tradition, and a harmonious
domestic life, indicating Yeats’s desire for his daughter to live within a
stable and respectful social structure. Classical symbols like the laurel and
myrtle further emphasize the balance between intellectual virtue and love.
Throughout the poem, there is a clear
contrast between innocence and experience, as the sleeping child represents
purity while the storm outside suggests a harsh and corrupt world. Yeats also
highlights the importance of “custom” and “ceremony” as symbols of cultural
stability and moral discipline, which can protect individuals from chaos.
Overall, the poem moves from images of disorder to symbols of peace and
harmony, revealing Yeats’s ultimate hope that his daughter will grow up with
inner strength, dignity, and a life shaped by tradition and virtue.
At a glance, the symbols that are used
in the poem:
- The Sea / Storms: Represent the chaotic forces of
the world that might threaten innocence.
- The Tower: Symbolizes protection,
isolation, or stability—a safe environment for growth.
- Flowers / Garden: Symbolize beauty, nature, and
moral simplicity.
- The Dragon / Irish Turmoil:
Alludes to nationalistic struggles and societal unrest.
A short note on Maud Gonne.
Maud Gonne is important in the discussion of Yeats's poetry. Yeats
fell in love with her very passionately when he met her for the first time in
February 1889. Yeats's sister Elizabeth wrote in her diary on 30 January:
"Miss Gonne, the Dublin beauty (who is marching on to glory over the
hearts of the Dublin youths), called today on
Willie ..... She is immensely tall and very stylish and well-dressed
in a careless way. She has a rich complexion and hazel eyes and is, I think,
decidedly handsome ..... " One of the hearts was Yeats's own. Though he
was already a nationalist, it was Maud Gonne who set the seal on his heart.
Yeats has referred to her in various phrases, like "that straight back and
arrogant head" and "beautiful lofty things", in some of his
poems. No Second Troy is wholly on Maud Gonne.
Yeats's meeting with Maud Gonne in 1889 was, indeed, very crucial
in shaping the rest of his life. Yeats was a young and ambitious poet. He was
inspired to know Ireland to the heart in all her moods, and to become "the
poet of a people, the poet of a new insurrection." And to do this for a
beautiful young woman who seemed to personify Ireland. It was she who led him
deeper into the complicated factional politics of the Irish Republican
Brotherhood. Yeats proposed marriage to Maud Gonne two times, once in 1891 and
again in 1899, but he was rejected both times. Maud Gonne married Major John
Mac Bride vital role in Yeats's poetic career.
Conclusion
In conclusion, W. B. Yeats, as
reflected in A Prayer for My Daughter, emerges as a deeply thoughtful
and concerned poet who blends personal emotion with universal ideas. Through
the poem, he presents himself not only as a loving father but also as a
philosopher of life who worries about the moral and social condition of the
modern world. His use of rich imagery, balanced structure, and meaningful
symbols reveals his desire for order, stability, and harmony in contrast to the
chaos of contemporary society. Yeats strongly values inner virtues such as
kindness, humility, and innocence over superficial qualities like excessive
beauty or material success. At the same time, his emphasis on tradition,
“custom,” and “ceremony” shows his belief that cultural continuity and
discipline can protect individuals from disorder and corruption. Thus, Yeats
appears as a poet of wisdom and foresight, whose work expresses both personal
affection and a broader vision for a peaceful and well-ordered human life
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