Themes

A Father’s Love and Protection: In this poem, Yeats shows deep love and care for his newborn daughter. As the storm blows outside, he prays for her safety and peace. The storm stands for the troubles of life, and the sleeping baby stands for innocence. Yeats worries about the future world and wishes his daughter to grow up happy, kind, and safe.

True Beauty and Good Character: Yeats believes that beauty alone is not enough. He wants his daughter to be beautiful but also kind and wise. Too much beauty can bring pride and sadness, as seen in the story of Helen of Troy. He prays that his daughter’s beauty will be simple and full of goodness. For Yeats, real beauty comes from a good heart, gentle manners, and love for others.