In A Prayer for My Daughter, W.B. Yeats reflects on the turbulence of the world. What does he hope his daughter will be protected from?

Correct option is A

Explanation:

In A Prayer for My Daughter, W.B. Yeats expresses his deep concern about the world’s instability, particularly the effects of war and conflict. Written after the aftermath of World War I, Yeats prays for his daughter to be shielded from the turmoil and violence that have marked his era. The poem conveys Yeats's anxiety about the future and the damage that external forces, like war and political upheaval, can have on the individual’s peace of mind and well-being. Yeats hopes for his daughter to lead a life free from the destructive impacts of war, chaos, and the uncertainties of the world, which were prevalent during his time.

Information Booster:

William Butler Yeats, a leading poet of the Irish Literary Revival, wrote A Prayer for My Daughter in 1919, during a time of intense political and social upheaval.

His own country, Ireland, was in the midst of the Irish War of Independence, and the world was reeling from the effects of World War I.

• Yeats’s work frequently explores themes of nationalism, identity, and individualism, alongside a deep introspection on life’s transient nature.
  
• This poem reflects Yeats’s personal anxiety about the state of the world and his worries about the future for his loved ones, particularly his young daughter.
• Through the lens of a father’s prayer, Yeats delves into broader themes of protection, legacy, and the hope for a better future amidst overwhelming external turmoil.
  
• The poem is structured as a father’s heartfelt prayer for his infant daughter, reflecting on the chaotic world around him and his desire for her to lead a life that is free from the pain and conflict that defined the poet’s era.
• Yeats wishes for his daughter to grow up in an environment of peace, where she can be shielded from the emotional and physical toll of war and strife.
• He prays for her to be endowed with wisdom, virtue, and inner strength, rather than chasing superficial beauty or fame.
  
• Yeats emphasizes the importance of inner qualities, such as integrity, simplicity, and peace, over outward appearance or social status. His prayer ultimately seeks a life of balance, hoping that his daughter will find contentment and solace amidst the challenges of the world.
• Protection and Innocence: Yeats emphasizes the need to protect innocence, particularly from the harsh realities of the world, symbolized through war and conflict. He juxtaposes the ideal of a peaceful life with the external dangers that threaten it.
  
• Personal Reflection: The poem reflects Yeats’s own philosophical views, considering the role of wisdom and peace in a world of violence and turmoil. His hope for his daughter represents a more universal desire for humanity to find inner peace amid external conflict.
  
• Symbolism: Yeats uses symbolism to convey his feelings. The daughter represents innocence and the future, and the storm in the poem symbolizes the turbulence and challenges of the world.
  
• A Prayer for My Daughter is a lyric poem that expresses the personal thoughts and emotions of the poet.
• The poem is reflective and introspective, written in a prayer-like form, making it deeply personal and tender in tone. Yeats’s use of regular meter and rhymed verse adds a solemnity to the poem, highlighting the gravity of his wishes for his daughter’s future.