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Chapter Summary

A Prayer for My Daughter

ICSE · Class 12 · English- Short Stories : Perspectives and Reflections

Summary of A Prayer for My Daughter for ICSE Class 12 English- Short Stories : Perspectives and Reflections. Key concepts, important points, and chapter overview.

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Overview

William Butler Yeats's 'A Prayer for My Daughter' is a deeply personal yet universally resonant poem written in 1919, shortly after the birth of his daughter Anne. Composed during a period of immense political turmoil in Ireland—following World War I and the Easter Rising—this poem reveals a father'

Key Concepts

The opening image of a howling

The opening image of a howling storm represents the turbulent world—both the political chaos of 1920s Ireland and the dangers facing a newborn child.

Yeats's complex view on beauty

Yeats's complex view on beauty is central to the poem. He does not pray for his daughter to be beautiful; rather, he prays that if she is beautiful, i

Rather than beauty

Rather than beauty, Yeats prioritizes courtliness, kindness, and emotional integrity for his daughter. He argues that 'Hearts are not had as a gift bu

Yeats wishes his daughter to become

Yeats wishes his daughter to become 'a flourishing hidden tree / That all her thoughts may like the linnet be.' The tree is rooted in 'one dear perpet

Yeats identifies hatred

Yeats identifies hatred—particularly intellectual hatred (hatred rooted in strong beliefs and opinions)—as 'of all evil chances chief.' He warns that

Learning Objectives

  • Understand the historical and personal context of Yeats's poem written during Irish political upheaval
  • Analyze the central prayer and its evolution through different stanzas
  • Interpret key literary devices including imagery, metaphor, and symbolism used throughout the poem
  • Examine Yeats's views on beauty, character, hatred, and innocence as presented in the text
  • Explore the role of classical allusions (Helen of Troy, Aphrodite) and their significance

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the important topics in A Prayer for My Daughter for ICSE Class 12 English- Short Stories : Perspectives and Reflections?
A Prayer for My Daughter covers several key topics that are frequently asked in ICSE Class 12 board exams. Focus on the core concepts listed on this page and practise related questions to build confidence.
How to score full marks in A Prayer for My Daughter — ICSE Class 12 English- Short Stories : Perspectives and Reflections?
Start by understanding all key concepts. Practise previous year questions from this chapter. Revise formulas and definitions regularly. Use flashcards for quick revision before the exam.

Sources & Official References

Content is aligned to the official syllabus. Refer to the board website for the latest curriculum.

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