Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
William Butler Yeats, a pivotal figure in the Irish Literary Revival, consistently grappled with themes of Irish identity, mythology, and the decline of traditional values. His poetry often reflects a yearning for a romanticized past, a sentiment deeply rooted in his own aristocratic background and anxieties about the modern world. “A Prayer for My Daughter,” written in 1919, is a poignant example of this tendency. The poem isn’t merely a paternal blessing; it’s a complex articulation of Yeats’s desire for his daughter to inhabit a world of grace, beauty, and aristocratic privilege, shielded from the harsh realities of a rapidly changing Ireland and a post-war Europe. This answer will explore the facets of Yeats’s ‘fancy’ for an aristocratic life as manifested in the poem, examining its imagery, themes, and historical context.
Yeats’s Background and Influences
Yeats’s aristocratic sensibilities were shaped by his upbringing. While his father, John Butler Yeats, was a struggling artist, the family traced its lineage back to landed gentry. This instilled in Yeats a deep appreciation for tradition, aesthetics, and a certain social order. He was also heavily influenced by the Pre-Raphaelite movement and the aestheticism of figures like Walter Pater, which emphasized beauty and art for art’s sake. The political turmoil in Ireland, particularly the Easter Rising of 1916, further fueled his anxieties about the future and his desire for a more stable, harmonious world – a world he associated with the aristocratic past.
The Poem as a Reflection of Aristocratic Values
“A Prayer for My Daughter” is replete with imagery that evokes a world of aristocratic elegance and leisure. The poem’s central concern is not merely the daughter’s happiness, but her ability to inhabit and perpetuate a specific way of life. This is evident in several key aspects:
- Emphasis on Physical and Spiritual Beauty: Yeats repeatedly emphasizes the importance of his daughter possessing “inner grace” and physical beauty, qualities highly valued in aristocratic circles. He prays that she be “hidden from the staring eye” and possess a “sweetness” that protects her from the vulgarity of the modern world.
- Desire for a Pastoral Existence: The poem’s setting, with its references to “fruit-garden” and “rose-garden,” evokes a pastoral ideal, a traditional aristocratic domain of leisure and contemplation. This contrasts sharply with the industrializing and politically volatile Ireland of the time.
- Rejection of Materialism and Political Engagement: Yeats explicitly prays that his daughter be spared the “clamorous” world of politics and materialism. He desires a life for her free from the anxieties and compromises of public life, a life dedicated to beauty and contemplation.
- The Importance of Lineage and Tradition: The poem subtly underscores the importance of lineage and tradition. Yeats hopes his daughter will inherit not just physical beauty but also the virtues and values of her ancestors.
Imagery and Symbolism
The poem’s imagery is crucial to understanding Yeats’s aristocratic fancy. The use of symbols like the “rose” and the “emerald” are not merely decorative; they represent ideals of beauty, purity, and spiritual refinement. The “staring eye” symbolizes the intrusive and often hostile gaze of the modern world, a world that threatens to corrupt innocence and beauty. The references to Helen of Troy, a figure associated with both beauty and tragedy, suggest Yeats’s awareness of the dangers that even the most beautiful and privileged individuals face.
Historical Context and Yeats’s Political Views
The poem was written in the aftermath of World War I and the Easter Rising. Yeats, while a fervent Irish nationalist, was deeply disillusioned by the violence and chaos of the Rising. He believed that a purely political solution to Ireland’s problems was insufficient and that a cultural and spiritual revival was necessary. This belief is reflected in the poem’s emphasis on inner beauty and spiritual values over political engagement. He saw the aristocratic past as embodying a sense of order and stability that was lacking in the modern world. His views were often criticized as elitist, but they stemmed from a genuine concern for the future of Ireland and a belief in the power of art and culture to transform society.
The Poem’s Limitations and Criticisms
While the poem is a beautiful and moving expression of paternal love, it is not without its limitations. Its idealized vision of aristocratic life can be seen as naive and out of touch with the realities of social inequality and political struggle. The poem’s emphasis on female beauty and passivity also reflects the patriarchal norms of the time. However, it’s important to remember that Yeats was writing within a specific historical and cultural context, and his poem should be understood as a product of its time.
Conclusion
“A Prayer for My Daughter” is a complex and multifaceted poem that reveals Yeats’s deep-seated longing for an aristocratic life of elegance, beauty, and tradition. The poem is not simply a celebration of privilege, but a poignant expression of anxiety about the modern world and a desire to protect his daughter from its harsh realities. While its idealized vision may be criticized, the poem remains a powerful testament to Yeats’s artistic vision and his enduring fascination with the past. It serves as a window into the anxieties of a generation grappling with the aftermath of war and the challenges of a rapidly changing world.
Answer Length
This is a comprehensive model answer for learning purposes and may exceed the word limit. In the exam, always adhere to the prescribed word count.