Read the following passage and answer the questions given below: 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 The chooses right, and never find a friend. (William Butler Yeats: ‘A Prayer for My Daughter’) i) What kind of beauty does the poet want his daughter to have? ii) What are the hazards of being made beautiful overmuch’? How does the poet illustrate his point?

Beauty with Balance: The Poet's Aspirations for His Daughter

In the poem "A Prayer for My Daughter" by William Butler Yeats, the poet conveys his heartfelt wishes and concerns for his daughter's future. Through his words, he expresses a desire for her to possess a particular kind of beauty and outlines the potential hazards of an excessive focus on physical attractiveness. In this analysis, we will delve into the poet's vision of the ideal beauty for his daughter and the cautionary tale of being "made beautiful overmuch."

1. The Desired Kind of Beauty

The poet opens the poem with a fervent prayer, "May she be granted beauty," indicating his genuine wish for his daughter to possess a form of beauty. However, it is essential to understand what kind of beauty he envisions for her:

• Balanced Beauty: The poet desires his daughter to have a balanced and harmonious beauty. He does not seek for her an extraordinary or overwhelming physical allure that might be intimidating or unsettling to others. Instead, he wishes for her to have a beauty that is graceful and approachable.

• Beauty without Vanity: The poet's aspiration is for his daughter to have beauty without vanity. He hopes that her physical appearance will not become the primary focus of her identity. This implies that he wants her to remain humble and not excessively preoccupied with her own attractiveness.

2. Hazards of Being Made Beautiful Overmuch

In the subsequent lines of the poem, Yeats explores the potential hazards of being "made beautiful overmuch." He conveys his concerns about the negative consequences that may arise if his daughter's physical beauty is excessively emphasized or if she herself becomes overly engrossed with it:

• Loss of Natural Kindness: One of the hazards highlighted by the poet is the risk of losing natural kindness. When a person is made excessively beautiful and constantly praised for their looks, they may begin to prioritize their physical appearance over their character or inner qualities. This can lead to a decline in their natural kindness and empathy towards others.

• Vanity and Self-Centeredness: Excessive beauty can sometimes breed vanity and self-centeredness. Individuals who consider their physical attractiveness as their greatest asset may become egocentric and self-absorbed. They may focus excessively on their own reflection, as the poet suggests when he mentions, "hers before a looking-glass."

• Shallow Pursuits: Yeats alludes to the idea that those who are made excessively beautiful might consider their beauty as the ultimate goal in life, as they "consider beauty a sufficient end." This pursuit of physical perfection may lead to shallow and materialistic priorities, causing them to neglect deeper and more meaningful aspects of life.

• Strained Relationships: The poet expresses concern that individuals overly consumed by their own beauty may struggle to form genuine and heart-revealing relationships. Their preoccupation with their appearance might hinder their ability to connect with others on a deeper level. This is exemplified in the line, "The chooses right, and never find a friend," suggesting that they may find it difficult to establish true friendships due to their superficial focus.

3. The Poet's Cautionary Tale

Yeats effectively conveys his cautionary message through the use of contrasting elements and thought-provoking imagery in the poem. He paints a picture of a daughter who possesses a balanced and unassuming beauty, contrasting it with the potential pitfalls of an excessive emphasis on physical allure.

• Contrast with Excess: The central theme of the poem is the contrast between the poet's desire for his daughter to have a moderate, balanced beauty and the dangers associated with an extreme preoccupation with physical appearance. This stark contrast allows the poet to emphasize his point effectively.

• Imagery: Yeats employs vivid imagery to illustrate his concerns. He uses phrases like "a looking-glass" to symbolize excessive self-reflection and vanity. Additionally, the idea of "heart-revealing intimacy" emphasizes the depth and authenticity of human connections, contrasting with the shallowness that excessive beauty might bring.

• Narrative Flow: The narrative flow of the poem guides the reader through the poet's wishes and concerns. It begins with a prayer for beauty and gradually unfolds to reveal the potential consequences of an excessive focus on that beauty. This narrative structure effectively conveys the poet's message.

Conclusion

In "A Prayer for My Daughter," William Butler Yeats eloquently expresses his heartfelt wishes for his daughter's future, including his desire for her to possess a balanced and unassuming beauty. Through his words, he articulates his concerns about the hazards of being excessively beautiful, highlighting the potential loss of kindness, the risk of vanity and self-centeredness, and the challenges in forming meaningful relationships.

The poem serves as a timeless reflection on the balance between outer beauty and inner qualities, urging readers to consider the importance of humility, kindness, and depth in character. Yeats' message resonates with parents and individuals alike, reminding us of the significance of a well-rounded and genuine sense of beauty that extends beyond the surface.