symbolist with reference to his poem
“A Prayer for My Daughter.”
W. B. Yeats’ (1865-1939) “A Prayer for My Daughter” (1919) is a prayer from a father to his newborn daughter. The poem was written just after World War I and during the political violence in Ireland. So, Yeats was worried about the world in which his daughter would grow up. To express his hopes and fears, Yeats used very strong and clear symbols. These symbols help us understand the father’s love, his fear of the future, and his wish for a peaceful, good life for his daughter.
In this essay, we will see how Yeats uses the storm, the laurel tree, and the Horn of Plenty as important symbols.
The Storm as a Symbol of Danger and Violence: At the beginning of the poem, there is a great storm blowing outside. The poet hears the wind howling. This real storm becomes a symbol of the violent world around him. Yeats had seen war, political unrest, and social changes. So, by the storm, Yeats means the dangers, confusion, and suffering of the modern world. Yeats writes:
“Once more the storm is howling…”
Outside, the storm is raging again. Yeats is walking for an hour and praying for his daughter, while she sleeps in a cradle. This moment shows a father’s fear. He worries that the world may not be kind to his daughter when she grows up. The storm becomes a picture of all the future troubles that may hurt her life. So, he prays for his child’s safety and happiness in such a world.
The Laurel Tree as a Symbol of Peace and Stability: The laurel tree is a beautiful symbol in this poem. Yeats prays that his daughter will grow strong like a green laurel tree.
“O may she live like some green laurel…”
Here, the laurel tree stands for peace, happiness, and stability. A laurel tree is evergreen. It stays fresh and green throughout the year. Yeats wants his daughter to have a life that is peaceful, steady, and full of natural goodness. He wants her to stay rooted in the values of love, kindness, and tradition. By wishing that she becomes a “flourishing hidden tree,” Yeats hopes that she will be safe from the storms of the world.
The laurel also symbolizes victory and honour, especially in ancient cultures. So, this symbol shows the poet’s hope that his daughter will be victorious with a life full of happiness and love.
The Horn of Plenty as a Symbol of Blessings: Yeats also uses the Horn of Plenty as a symbol. It is an ancient symbol of blessings, joy, and abundance. In the poem, Yeats mentions that he knew the loveliest woman. She was full of joy and blessings.
“Have I not seen the loveliest woman born
Out of the mouth of Plenty's horn,”
But, Yeats says she wasted her blessings because of her pride, hatred, and anger. Because of her “opinionated mind,” she wasted that “horn.” Here, Yeats is referring to Maud Gonne, a beautiful Irish politician. Yeats loved her, but she rejected him many times. Later, she married another Irish nationalist, but the marriage did not last long.
So, Yeats uses the Horn of Plenty as a symbol to show that beautiful women sometimes waste their blessings and joy for their hatred and foolish choices. By showing this example, Yeats prays that his daughter will not lose her blessings.
In conclusion, Yeats uses rich and meaningful symbols in “A Prayer for My Daughter.” The storm shows danger, the laurel tree shows peace and stability, and the Horn of Plenty shows blessings. Through these symbols, the poet expresses a father’s deep love and gentle prayers for his child’s future.
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