For My Daughter
By Weldon Kees
Looking into my daughter’s eyes I read
Beneath the innocence of morning flesh
Concealed, hintings of death she does not heed.
Coldest of winds have blown this hair, and mesh
Of seaweed snarled these miniature hands;
The night’s slow poison, tolerant and bland,
Has moved her blood. Parched years that I have seen
That may be hers appear: foul, lingering
Death in certain war, the slim legs green.
Or, fed on hate, she relishes the sting
Of others’ agony; perhaps the cruel
Bride of a syphilitic or a fool.
These speculations sour in the sun.
I have no daughter. I desire none.
Summary of For My Daughter
- The Poem’s Essence: Weldon Kees’s “For My Daughter” is a profoundly unsettling poem that contemplates the potential suffering inherent in life, projected onto an imagined daughter. It isn’t a celebration of parenthood, but rather a stark examination of the anxieties surrounding it. Published in 1940, the poem stands out for its melancholic tone and unflinching look at the darker aspects of existence.
- A Contemplation of Loss and Fear: The poem opens with the speaker gazing into the eyes of a daughter he does not have, immediately establishing a sense of irony and distance. He doesn’t envision a joyful future for her, but instead foresees a life marred by pain, violence, and moral corruption. The poem unfolds as a series of grim speculations about the hardships she might endure, ultimately leading to the speaker’s declaration that he desires no daughter at all.
- Central Themes: The core themes of “For My Daughter” revolve around pessimism, the inevitability of suffering, and the desire to shield a loved one from the harsh realities of the world. Kees’s poem is a testament to the power of imagination and the anxieties that can accompany the contemplation of the future. It’s a powerful, unsettling exploration of what it means to be human.
Analysis of Literary Devices Used in “For My Daughter”
Weldon Kees masterfully employs a range of literary devices in “For My Daughter” to create a haunting and thought‑provoking poem. These devices aren’t merely decorative; they are integral to the poem’s meaning and emotional impact.
- Alliteration: The repetition of consonant sounds creates a musical quality and emphasizes certain phrases. Notice the subtle alliteration in the line, “seaweed snarled these miniature hands.” The repetition of the ‘s’ sound mimics the rustling of seaweed, adding a textural dimension to the image.
- Assonance: The repetition of vowel sounds within words adds to the poem’s sonic texture and creates a sense of internal rhyme. In the line, “Or, fed on hate, she relishes the sting,” the repetition of the ‘e’ sound in “fed,” “relish,” and “sting” creates a subtle, unsettling effect.
- Consonance: Similar to alliteration, consonance involves the repetition of consonant sounds, but not necessarily at the beginning of words. An example is in the line, “Coldest of winds have blown this hair, and mesh.” The repetition of the ‘sh’ sound emphasizes the harshness of the wind.
- Enjambment: The continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line to the next without a pause. This is particularly effective in creating a sense of flow and drawing the reader deeper into the poem. For example, “Looking into my daughter’s eyes I read
Beneath the innocence of morning flesh
Concealed, hintings of death she does not heed.” The enjambment mirrors the speaker’s continuous, anxious thoughts. - Hyperbole: Exaggeration used for emphasis or effect. While the poem’s tone is largely realistic, the bleakness of the speaker’s predictions borders on hyperbole, emphasizing his profound pessimism. The line “Parched years that I have seen” is not necessarily a literal description, but an exaggeration of the speaker’s perceived future.
- Imagery: Vivid and descriptive language that appeals to the senses. Kees uses powerful imagery throughout the poem to create a haunting and unsettling atmosphere. “Looking into my daughter’s eyes I read” immediately draws the reader into the speaker’s vision, while “Coldest of winds have blown this hair, and mesh” evokes a sense of coldness and vulnerability.
- Irony: A contrast between what is said and what is actually meant, or between what is expected and what actually happens. The title itself is ironic; the poem isn’t a loving ode to a daughter, but a bleak meditation on suffering.
- Symbolism: The use of objects or ideas to represent something else. “Parched years” can be seen as a symbol of past suffering and a premonition of future hardship.
Analysis of Poetic Devices Used in “For My Daughter”
Beyond literary devices, Kees employs specific poetic techniques to enhance the poem’s musicality and emotional impact.
- End Rhyme: The use of rhyme at the end of lines. The poem follows a consistent ABAB rhyme scheme, which contributes to its musicality and creates a sense of closure at the end of each stanza.
- Stanza: A group of lines forming a unit within a poem. “For My Daughter” consists of a single fourteen‑line stanza, known as a sonnet. This compact form adds to the poem’s intensity and focuses the reader’s attention on the speaker’s anxieties.
- Tone: The attitude or feeling conveyed by the poem. The dominant tone of “For My Daughter” is one of profound pessimism, despair, and resignation.
Quotes to be Used
The following lines from the poem are particularly resonant and can be used to illustrate the themes of suffering and the weight of the past:
“Parched years that I have seen
That may be hers appear: foul, lingering
Death in certain war, the slim legs green…”
This quote encapsulates the speaker’s bleak outlook and premonition of future hardship. It is a powerful illustration of the poem’s central themes and can be used to spark discussion about the inevitability of suffering and the weight of the past.
“For My Daughter” is a challenging but rewarding poem that invites careful reading and contemplation. By understanding the literary and poetic devices Kees employs, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the poem’s artistry and its profound exploration of the human condition.