1. Who is the author of “A Prayer for My Daughter”?
a) T.S. Eliot
b) W.B. Yeats
c) Ezra Pound
d) Robert Frost
Answer: b) W.B. Yeats
Explanation: The poet who wrote “A Prayer for My Daughter” is William Butler Yeats, one of Ireland’s most renowned poets and dramatists. He was influential in the Irish Literary Revival and was a prominent figure in the Modernist movement. His works often reflect his deep interest in Irish nationalism, mythology, and personal themes such as love and loss. “A Prayer for My Daughter,” written in 1919, is one of Yeats’ reflective poems, focusing on his concerns about the future of his daughter amidst the turmoil of the time.
2. What nationality was the poet who wrote “A Prayer for My Daughter”?
a) American
b) British
c) Irish
d) Scottish
Answer: c) Irish
Explanation: W.B. Yeats was Irish, born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1865. He played a key role in the Irish Literary Revival, a movement that sought to promote Irish culture and literature. Yeats’ works often explore Irish mythology, politics, and history, alongside his personal experiences. His nationality is important because it deeply influenced his poetry, and his works are often considered a significant contribution to both Irish and global literature.
3. What literary movement is the author of “A Prayer for My Daughter” most associated with?
a) Modernism
b) Romanticism
c) Realism
d) Victorianism
Answer: a) Modernism
Explanation: W.B. Yeats is closely associated with Modernism, a literary movement that emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Modernism was characterized by a break with traditional forms and an exploration of new techniques in art and literature. Yeats, particularly in works like “A Prayer for My Daughter,” explores themes of disillusionment, the effects of historical change, and a search for new meanings in a rapidly transforming world, all hallmarks of Modernism.
4. What personal event inspired the author to write “A Prayer for My Daughter”?
a) His wedding
b) A trip abroad
c) A political victory
d) The birth of his child
Answer: d) The birth of his child
Explanation: “A Prayer for My Daughter” was written shortly after the birth of W.B. Yeats’ daughter, Anne, in 1919. This personal event, coupled with his concerns about the political and social upheavals of the time, inspired Yeats to reflect on the future of his child. The poem captures his hopes and fears for her life, especially in a world that seemed unstable and full of uncertainties.
5. What was the full name of the poet who wrote “A Prayer for My Daughter”?
a) William Blake Yeats
b) William Butler Yeats
c) Walter Benjamin Yeats
d) William Bernard Yeats
Answer: b) William Butler Yeats
Explanation: The full name of the poet is William Butler Yeats. He is often simply referred to as W.B. Yeats, but his full name includes his middle name, Butler. Yeats is widely regarded as one of the greatest poets of the 20th century. His works span a wide range of themes, from national identity and politics to personal introspection, making him a key figure in both Irish and global literature.
6. What is the primary setting described at the beginning of the poem?
a) A calm meadow
b) A stormy night
c) A sunny beach
d) A quiet village
Answer: b) A stormy night
Explanation: The poem begins by describing a stormy night, with the wind howling and the poet walking and praying. This turbulent setting serves as a metaphor for the emotional turmoil and uncertainty Yeats felt about his daughter’s future. The storm reflects the chaos and unpredictability of the world, which Yeats wanted to shield his daughter from, hoping for her to live a life of peace and stability.
7. What is the poet doing while his daughter sleeps?
a) Writing a letter
b) Walking and praying
c) Singing a lullaby
d) Reading a book
Answer: b) Walking and praying
Explanation: In W.B. Yeats’ “A Prayer for My Daughter,” while his daughter sleeps, the poet is walking and praying.
The poem begins: “Once more the storm is howling, and half hid / Under this cradle-hood and coverlid / My child sleeps on.” Later, in the second stanza, Yeats writes: “I have walked and prayed for this young child an hour.” This indicates that while his infant daughter sleeps, the poet is pacing—walking— and praying, expressing his hopes and fears for her future amidst the stormy night.
8. What natural element is described as “howling” and “bred on the Atlantic”?
a) The Waves
b) The wind
c) The rain
d) The Fog
Answer: b) The wind
Explanation: In the first stanza, Yeats writes: “Once more the storm is howling, and half hid / Under this cradle-hood and coverlid / My child sleeps on. / There is no obstacle / But Gregory’s wood and one bare hill / Whereby the haystack- and roof-levelling wind, / Bred on the Atlantic, can be stayed.” The “storm is howling” sets the scene, and the “haystack- and roof-levelling wind, / Bred on the Atlantic” identifies the wind as the element that howls (as part of the storm) and originates from the Atlantic Ocean, emphasizing its forceful, noisy presence.
9. What does the poet fear might come “dancing to a frenzied drum”?
a) The past
b) His daughter’s dreams
c) The future years
d) A storm
Answer: c) The future years
Explanation: In W.B. Yeats’ “A Prayer for My Daughter,” the poet fears that the future years might come “dancing to a frenzied drum.”
This phrase appears in the second stanza: “Imagining in excited reverie / That the future years had come, / Dancing to a frenzied drum, / Out of the murderous innocence of the sea.” Here, Yeats is walking and praying for his sleeping daughter, envisioning her future. The “future years” are personified as arriving in a chaotic, wild manner—dancing to a “frenzied drum”—suggesting his anxiety about the unpredictable, potentially destructive times ahead for her, born from the turbulent, innocent-yet-dangerous sea (tied to the storm earlier).
10. What quality does Yeats hope his daughter possesses in moderation?
a) Intelligence
b) Courage
c) Kindness
d) Beauty
Answer: d) Beauty
Explanation: In W.B. Yeats’ “A Prayer for My Daughter,” the quality Yeats hopes his daughter possesses in moderation is beauty.
This hope is expressed in the fourth stanza: “May she be granted beauty and yet not / Beauty to make a stranger’s eye distraught, / Or hers before a looking-glass, for such, / Being made beautiful overmuch, / Consider beauty a sufficient end, / Lose natural kindness and maybe / The heart-revealing intimacy / That chooses right, and never find a friend.” Yeats prays for his daughter to have beauty but not an excessive amount that could lead to vanity, obsession, or isolation—qualities he associates with women like Helen of Troy or Maud Gonne, whom he critiques later. He wants her beauty tempered to preserve her kindness and ability to form meaningful connections.
11. Why does Yeats wish his daughter’s beauty not be excessive?
a) It might make her arrogant
b) It could distract her from kindness
c) It would make her unpopular
d) It might attract danger
Answer: b) It could distract her from kindness
Explanation: Yeats expresses concern that excessive beauty could lead to vanity and superficiality, which might distract his daughter from cultivating inner qualities such as kindness and empathy. He fears that if she becomes too focused on her physical appearance, she might neglect developing a compassionate and loving nature. Yeats believes that beauty should be complemented by a kind heart, as excessive beauty can alienate one from true human connections, which are grounded in character rather than looks.
12. Which mythological figure does Yeats reference as an example of beauty leading to trouble?
a) Helen of Troy
b) Cleopatra
c) Athena
d) Persephone
Answer: a) Helen of Troy
Explanation: In W.B. Yeats’ “A Prayer for My Daughter,” the mythological figure Yeats references as an example of beauty leading to trouble is Helen of Troy.
This reference appears in the fifth stanza: “Helen being chosen found life flat and dull / And later had much trouble from a fool, / While that great Queen, that rose out of the spray, / Being fatherless could have her way / Yet chose a bandy-leggèd smith for man.” Here, “Helen” is Helen of Troy, whose extraordinary beauty famously sparked the Trojan War (trouble from a “fool,” Paris, or the war itself). Yeats uses her as a cautionary example, contrasting her fate with his hope that his daughter’s beauty remains moderate to avoid such chaos.
13. What does Yeats imply about “fine women” who choose poorly in love?
a) They lack intelligence
b) They eat “a crazy salad with their meat”
c) They are destined for loneliness
d) They reject tradition
Answer: b) They eat “a crazy salad with their meat”
Explanation: In W.B. Yeats’ “A Prayer for My Daughter,” Yeats implies about “fine women” who choose poorly in love that they eat “a crazy salad with their meat”.
This specific phrase appears in the sixth stanza: “It’s certain that fine women eat / A crazy salad with their meat / Whereby the Horn of Plenty is undone.” Here, Yeats suggests that beautiful or accomplished women (like Helen of Troy or Aphrodite, referenced earlier, or Maud Gonne, whom he alludes to later) make erratic, unwise romantic choices—symbolized by the odd, chaotic image of eating “a crazy salad with their meat.” This poor judgment disrupts abundance or fulfillment (the “Horn of Plenty”), implying their decisions lead to personal or broader ruin, not necessarily loneliness, stupidity, or tradition’s rejection.
a) They lack intelligence: Yeats doesn’t directly call them unintelligent; he critiques their choices, not their intellect.
b) They eat “a crazy salad with their meat”: Correct, as this is the exact metaphor Yeats uses for their flawed romantic decisions.
c) They are destined for loneliness: Loneliness isn’t stated; the focus is on the consequences of choice, like undoing plenty.
d) They reject tradition: Tradition isn’t the issue here; their personal choices in love are.
14. What does Yeats suggest hearts are earned by?
a) Wealth and status
b) Physical strength
c) Those not entirely beautiful
d) Intellectual brilliance
Answer: c) Those not entirely beautiful
Explanation: Yeats suggests that hearts are earned by people who are not solely defined by their beauty. He argues that true affection and love come from qualities beyond physical appearance, such as kindness, sincerity, and character. Those who are “not entirely beautiful” may develop deeper, more meaningful connections because their value lies in their inner virtues, rather than just external looks. This reflects Yeats’ belief that lasting love is built on emotional and moral connections, not just superficial attraction.
15. How does Yeats metaphorically describe his daughter’s thoughts?
a) Like a flowing river
b) Like a stormy sea
c) Like the linnet’s song
d) Like a towering oak
Answer: c) Like the linnet’s song
Explanation: Yeats compares his daughter’s thoughts to the song of a linnet, a small, cheerful bird known for its melodious voice. This metaphor suggests that Yeats hopes his daughter’s mind will be free, natural, and joyful, much like the pure and carefree song of the linnet. The linnet’s song is a symbol of lightness and grace, qualities Yeats wishes for his daughter’s intellectual and emotional development. He envisions her thoughts as being harmonious, positive, and unburdened by the negativity of the world.
16. What kind of life does Yeats wish for his daughter in the stanza about the “flourishing hidden tree”?
a) Adventurous and bold
b) Peaceful and rooted
c) Ambitious and public
d) Solitary and intellectual
Answer: b) Peaceful and rooted
Explanation: In the metaphor of the “flourishing hidden tree,” Yeats wishes for his daughter to lead a life that is stable, grounded, and serene. The tree symbolizes strength and rootedness, while its “hidden” nature suggests a life not driven by fame or public attention but by inner peace and quiet contentment. Yeats hopes that his daughter will grow in wisdom and virtue, away from the chaos of the world, living a life that is fulfilling and enduring, much like a well-rooted tree that flourishes in its place.
17. What does Yeats consider the “worst” type of hatred?
a) Emotional hatred
b) Intellectual hatred
c) Physical hatred
d) Silent hatred
Answer: b) Intellectual hatred
Explanation: Yeats says, “An intellectual hatred is the worst,” meaning hatred based on ideas or opinions is the most harmful.. This type of hatred is particularly destructive because it stems from a closed-minded and inflexible attitude, where individuals cannot see beyond their beliefs. Intellectual hatred can lead to arguments, division, and conflict, as it is tied to pride and a refusal to consider other perspectives. For Yeats, this kind of hatred is more harmful than emotional or physical hatred, as it corrodes the soul and stifles growth.
18. What does Yeats associate with “Plenty’s horn”?
a) Wealth and abundance
b) Chaos and destruction
c) Wisdom and knowledge
d) Love and romance
Answer: a) Wealth and abundance
Explanation: Yeats refers to “Plenty’s horn,” a symbol of abundance and prosperity. In mythology, the horn of Plenty (also known as the cornucopia) represents overflowing abundance, particularly material wealth. Yeats uses this image to critique the notion of beauty and wealth being sufficient for a fulfilling life. He contrasts this with his belief that true happiness and fulfillment come from inner qualities, such as kindness, wisdom, and emotional connection, rather than external riches or superficial beauty.
19. What does the poet suggest happens when the soul is free of hatred?
a) It becomes weak
b) It recovers “radical innocence”
c) It seeks revenge
d) It turns to isolation
Answer: b) It recovers “radical innocence”
Explanation: Yeats writes, “The soul recovers radical innocence” when it lets go of hate. Yeats suggests that when the soul is free from hatred, it can return to a state of “radical innocence,” a purity of heart and mind that is untainted by negativity or malice. This “radical innocence” refers to a return to an authentic, uncorrupted state, where the soul is open, unburdened, and capable of experiencing life with joy and clarity. Yeats believes that hatred clouds the soul, and without it, one can regain a fundamental, untouched purity that leads to happiness and peace.
20. What does Yeats mean by “self-delighting, self-appeasing, self-affrighting”?
a) The soul’s independence
b) The mind’s confusion
c) The body’s frailty
d) The heart’s desires
Answer: a) The soul’s independence
Explanation: Yeats uses the phrase “self-delighting, self-appeasing, self-affrighting” to describe the soul’s independence and self-sufficiency. The soul that is free from hatred and external influences can find joy and peace within itself (“self-delighting” and “self-appeasing”). Additionally, it can confront its own fears and challenges without needing external validation or support (“self-affrighting”). This suggests that true freedom and happiness come from within, and the soul is most at peace when it is independent and self-reliant, guided by its own will.
