Of course the first thing that came to my mind when reading this was my dad--that's why I liked it so much. I think that this passage really captures the thoughts and prayers of almost any father who has a young daughter. There was so much beauty and emotion that was put into this writing…and so much truth as well. I found the setting on little weird—they’re out on a sea in the middle of a storm while the child sleeps—but nevertheless, it doesn’t take out any of the tenderness of the prayer.
Once more the storm is howling, and half hid
Under this cradle-hood and coverlid
My child sleeps on. There is no obstacle (lines 1-3)
And for an hour I have walked and prayed
Because of the great gloom that is in my mind.
I have walked and prayed for this young child an hour
And hear the sea-wind scream upon the tower,
And under the arches of the bridge, and scream (lines7-11)
In the beginning it seems that maybe he has taken his young daughter out to sea with him and they are caught in the middle of a storm and his hear is troubled—perhaps he fears that she would lose her life at such a young age, so he begins to pray that they will make it to safety and she will live out the rest of her life into adulthood.
May she be granted beauty and yet not
Beauty to make a stranger’s eye distraught (lines 17-18)
May she become a flourishing hidden tree
That all her thoughts may like the linnet be,
And have no business but dispensing round
Their magnanimities of sound. (lines 41-44)
And may her bridegroom bring her to a house
Where all’s accustomed, ceremonious; (lines73-74)
He wants the best for his daughter—beauty, intelligence, husband, house. Through his words Yeats was able to express the unconditional love and affection that he had for his daughter. He earnestly prayed with great emotion, and this is what made it so touching to me. My dad came to my mind when reading it because he always expresses how he wants the best for me, and tends not to accept anything less than perfect. Fathers and daughters have a unique relationship and Yeats was really able to bring that out in this passage…I can imagine the love that he felt for his daughter…and how much he probably spoiled her.
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Wow,what a great tribute to YOUR dad. I know he would be beaming to read your comments on the impact he's made your life. I agree with you, fathers and daughters do have a unique relationship. It's nothing wrong with being spoiled at little too! I enjoyed your blog.
ReplyDeleteTrenae,
ReplyDeleteVery perceptive and well-supported exploration of Yeats's poem. Good analysis of specific passages (although I am not sure where you get the idea the speaker and his daughter are on a ship). Very insightful tribute to your father here, too!
I really liked this poem as well, I think it held a very powerful message for the love fathers have for their daughters. The wishes and expectations they hold for them that is still very common among fathers today. I totally agree that while reading this you can't help but think of your own relationship with your father. It really brings a smile to my face because it defiantly hits home!
ReplyDeleteI liked your approach to this poem. It can be viewed as the prayer of a very concerned father. After reading your approach my understanding of the poem has actually become more clear, previously I wrote of the mother's outlook of her daughter's future.I do also like the fact that you pointed out the strength and emotion behind his prayer.
ReplyDeleteVery nice tribute to your father. I believe that it is every father's dream to see their daughter to become little princess and this poem is no different. And I do believe that father daughter relationships are very important in the growth of the daughter.
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