A Detailed Study Note on "A Prayer for My Daughter" by W.B. Yeats
W.B. Yeats’ poem A Prayer for My Daughter was written in 1919, shortly after the birth of his daughter, Anne Yeats. The poem reflects Yeats’ concerns about the turbulent world she will grow up in, particularly in the aftermath of World War I and the Irish political conflicts. The poem conveys his deep fatherly love, his fears about the influence of modernity, and his hopes for his daughter’s character and future. Yeats envisions an ideal life for Anne, emphasizing moral virtues, traditional values, and a life shielded from destructive forces such as vanity, hatred, and arrogance. Through vivid imagery, symbolism, and philosophical reflections, he crafts a heartfelt prayer for his child’s well-being and character. Theme of the Poem The poem primarily explores parental love, the passage of time, and the contrast between innocence and chaos. It also touches upon ideal femininity, the dangers of beauty without virtue, and the importance of stability and traditional values. Yeats, as a poet...