philosophy, metaphysics, paintings and drawings. Yeats believed that symbols are given, not deliberately chosen or invented. The symbols used in his earlier poems are elementary and cause no obstacles in the way of the readers. But as he developed as a poet, his symbols become more complex, inconclusive, personal and individual.
Yeats’s poem ‘A Prayer for My Daughter’ is marked by his use of symbols. In the poem, he uses his symbols through a series of images like wind, sea and tree. The storm itself is a symbol of ruin and misery, and the woods and trees are the obstacles before the ruining power. The violence of nature —“the murderous innocence of the sea”— is symbolic of the violence of man which is calculated and inexorable. It also recallsmost sarcastic poems, he chooses this form in order to mock
- ABAB Rhyme Scheme, simple structure and strong rhyme carry political messages better.
John O’Leary - died in 1907
- Founder of Young Republic Brotherhood
- Yeats was influenced by him- revolution could be born of art
Stanza 1: -
Against the apathy of business owners in Dublin
A direct retaliation to the general strike
He is disgusted by the business owners, as they are undermining the true Romantic Ireland.
Quotes: - “But fumble in a greasy till”- untrustworthy, corrupt, greed of the owners, became shiny due to the over-use
“And add the halfpence to the pence / and prayer to shivering prayer” – Money and religion is all they care about, pence is such a small amount emphasise their greed, forgotten to care about Ireland. Not