Background Information
A Prayer for My Daughter is a poem by the Irish poet William Butler Yeats. The poem was written in 1933 and published in the same year in Yeats’ collection The Winding Stair and Other Poems. Written shortly after the death of Yeats’ daughter Iseult, the poem can be seen as a lament for the loss of his daughter. It is also seen as a call for justice and peace in the world and contains themes that are relevant to the political milieu of the time. The poem is often read as a prayer that is meant to be both personal and universal.
Poetic Form and Structure
A Prayer for My Daughter is written in blank verse, which is iambic pentameter with no rhyme scheme. It is divided into seven stanzas of uneven length. The poem follows a somewhat complex and non-linear narrative structure, with the first stanza setting the stage for the rest of the poem. There are several references to nature and to religious and pagan beliefs throughout the poem, which adds to its complexity and makes the message even more powerful.
Theme and Meaning
At the heart of A Prayer for My Daughter is a desire for justice, peace, and mercy in the world. In the poem, Yeats expresses his wish that his daughter and all children in the world will be protected from the violence, hardships, and inequality of the world around them. He also speaks of his unease with the state of the world, a theme that resonates with readers in the present day. By invoking various religious figures and pagan deities in the poem, Yeats is attempting to draw upon the spiritual forces of the world to bring justice and peace.
Reception
Since its publication in 1933, A Prayer for My Daughter has become one of Yeats’ most renowned and beloved works. It has been widely anthologized and studied in literary criticism. Scholars have noted the poem’s universal appeal and connected it to significant political and social events,such as the Cold War and the Troubles in Northern Ireland. It has been featured in numerous films and television shows, and has become a popular song lyric. It is featured on the Poetry Foundation website, and has been translated into many languages, making Yeats’ poem accessible to readers around the world.
Analysis
In A Prayer for My Daughter, Yeats is making a poignant plea for justice and peace in the world. While his words are grounded in his own personal grief, they ultimately represent a broader message of hope and optimism. Yeats’ poem speaks to the common experience of loss and the need for collective action to bring about a better world. It is a tribute to his daughter and all children who have been lost to violence, poverty, and injustice.
Symbols and Figures
The poem contains several symbols and figures that are used to emphasize its themes. The Virgin Mary serves as a maternal figure, offering protection from violence and misfortune. The figure of God is also invoked, as a force for justice and peace in the world. Clouds, stars, and the moon are used to express a sense of hope and divine intervention. These symbols are repeated throughout the poem, creating a powerful and unified message.
Influence
Yeats’ poem has been a major influence on writers and poets from around the world. Its themes of justice and peace remain pertinent today, and continue to inspire writers to bring about change. A Prayer for My Daughter has been cited by authors such as J.R.R. Tolkien, and it has been adapted into a musical by the Irish composer Michael Holohan. Its legacy continues to be celebrated, as a testament to the power of poetry in times of doubt and despair.
Language and Ideology
The language of A Prayer for My Daughter is direct and straightforward, and the words are often used in a dualistic fashion. This speaks to the idea that there are two conflicting yet interconnected forces in the world, the forces of hope and despair. Yeats’ poem is a call to balance these forces, rather than let one overtake the other. The poem is also very evocative, using words and phrases that push the reader to think beyond the words on the page.
Perception and Outlook
The Poetry Foundation calls A Prayer for My Daughter a “timeless poem in which the speaker, a father, begs the Virgin Mary to protect his daughter and shield her from the injustices of life.” The poem is seen by many as a timeless reminder that hope and justice are possible, even in the midst of sorrow and despair. It serves as a reminder of the power of poetry to express our deepest feelings in times of difficulty, and serves as an indicator of the need for collective action to bring about a better world.
