A Prayer for My Daughter by W. B. Yeats
'A Prayer for My Daughter' by W. B. Yeats
Q.-1: Write a detailed analysis of the poem A Prayer for My Daughter in your own words.
Answer:
Stanza 1:
In the opening stanza of "A Prayer for My Daughter," W. B. Yeats expresses his concerns about the world his newborn daughter will face. He mentions the tumultuous times and prays for her protection.
Stanza 2:
Yeats uses vivid natural imagery in the second stanza, comparing his daughter to a bird and emphasizing her innocence. He wishes her to be shielded from the harshness of life.
Stanza 3:
The poet desires his daughter to grow into a woman of beauty and grace. He hopes she will inherit qualities that make her admirable and charming, and he prays that these attributes will shield her from life's challenges.
Stanza 4:
In this section, Yeats expresses his concern about the possible negative effects of his daughter's beauty. He fears that if she becomes too aware of her allure, it might lead to vanity and superficiality.
Stanza 5:
The poet grapples with the idea that beauty and wisdom may not coexist easily. He fears that his daughter might be caught in a dilemma where her outer charm might overshadow the importance of inner wisdom.
Stanza 6:
Yeats expresses worry about the impact of men on his daughter. He is concerned that she might be swayed by flattery or false promises. The poet hopes she remains strong and discerning in her interactions with others.
Stanza 7:
This stanza focuses on the purity and innocence of childhood. Yeats wishes that his daughter's innocence remains intact, acting as a protective shield against the complexities of the adult world.
Stanza 8:
Yeats prays for his daughter to have a heart strong enough to face challenges. He desires her to possess resilience, courage, and the ability to endure hardships without losing her inner strength.
Stanza 9:
The poet envisions his daughter as a woman who combines beauty with wisdom. He hopes she navigates life's uncertainties with intelligence and makes choices that lead to a fulfilling and meaningful existence.
Stanza 10:
In the concluding stanza, Yeats reiterates his plea for protection for his daughter. He prays that she is shielded from harm, evil influences, and the struggles that life may present.
'A Prayer for My Daughter' is a heartfelt plea by W. B. Yeats for the well-being and guidance of his newborn daughter. The poem is a reflection on the challenges of the world and the poet's aspirations for his daughter's growth into a woman of beauty, grace, and wisdom. The poet addresses themes of innocence, the potential conflict between beauty and wisdom, and the influence of others, especially men, on his daughter. Through simple language and vivid imagery, Yeats crafts a timeless prayer that captures a father's hopes and concerns for his child in a complex world.
Q.-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:
In these lines from 'A Prayer for My Daughter,' W. B. Yeats expresses a nuanced wish for his daughter's beauty. He hopes that she possesses beauty but not in a way that disturbs or troubles others who might be strangers to her. In a contemporary context, especially in India, these lines resonate with the harsh realities girls often face.
In a society where external beauty is sometimes overemphasized and can attract unwarranted attention, Yeats' plea becomes poignant. The wish for beauty without causing distress aligns with the hope that a girl's physical appearance doesn't become a source of discomfort or vulnerability. It humanizes the struggle many girls face in navigating societal expectations, promoting the idea that beauty should not lead to the distress of others but should be a source of empowerment and confidence for the individual.
