W. B. Yeats - Poet - William Butler Yeats, widely considered one of the greatest poets of the English language, received the 1923 Nobel Prize for Literature. His work was greatly influenced by the heritage and politics of Ireland. This poem reflects Yeat ' s complicated views on Irish nationalism and sexuality and is considered an important work of modernist poetry.

The poem written by William Butler yeats in 1919 . The poem is a prayer like poem . Yeats reflects how he wants his daughter' s future to be. A few weeks after Yeat' s daughter Anne was born. This poem speaks about the anxiety felt for the well - being of his daughter. As anxiety shared by all father's all over the world turn by war and greed.

He thinks how his daughter will face the course and vulgar world. He believes that she can protect herself by cultivating virtues of nobility and courtesy. He prays that his daughter should have Beauty but not vanity. He wants his daughter to have happy and innocent thought in her mind. Her soul should flourish like a flourishing tree. He wants his daughter to be free from hatred. He wishes his daughter to get married in a good aristocratic family and lead a happy life.

" Hearts are not had as a gift but hearts are earned ."


The poet expresses deep concern for his infant daughter who sleeps in a cradle . She is well covered and protected from the onslaughts of violent wind. He paces up and down and prays for well being of his daughter. The strong wind makes the poet gloomy , he thinks his daughter will have to face the vulgar world.

He thinks that cruelty of man is more dangerous that is murderous innocence of the sea. She must protect herself by a shield of qualities and virtues. So the poet wants his daughter to be virtuous and good.  " Virtues " in the woman are more important than physical beauty. Daughter with happy and innocent thought in her mind. Yeats prays that his daughter should be free from the evil.

If hatred is replaced by innocence , it can bring happiness to all. It will give inner peace to his daughter. Her daughter ' s Marriage in aristocratic family , which observes the traditional manners and courtesies . Hatred and arrogance will have no place in that family. He wants his daughter to follow the traditional norms and values. Thus overall about the love and care of father for his daughter. And how he wants her daughter to be in future.