Revision Notes

2. ‘Prayer Before Birth’ by Louis MacNeice

Bio of the Poet

  • Louis MacNeice (1907–1963): An Irish poet and playwright, MacNeice was part of the Thirties Poets, a group of politically aware writers that included W.H. Auden.
  • He lived through the turbulence of World War II and was deeply influenced by it. MacNeice’s poetry often explores themes of human suffering, fear, and the consequences of war.
  • ‘Prayer Before Birth’ was written during World War II in 1944, reflecting the horrors of a world gone morally astray.

Detailed Summary

The poem is a dramatic monologue voiced by an unborn child pleading with God (or a higher force) to protect them from the evils of the world. It uses a prayer-like structure, listing the horrors the speaker wishes to avoid.

  • Stanza 1: The unborn child begs for protection from elements of nature and supernatural evil.
  • Stanza 2: A request to avoid being manipulated or brainwashed into violence.
  • Stanza 3: Describes a society that dehumanises individuals and turns them into machines—soulless, obedient, and powerless.
  • Stanza 4–5: The child fears betrayal and being made to commit evil by others. There is a growing intensity and urgency.
  • Stanza 6: The speaker craves connection with nature, freedom, and simple pleasures of life, if they are allowed to survive with their integrity intact.
  • Stanza 7: A horrifying list of evil fates the speaker wants to avoid: madness, manipulation, hypocrisy, and the loss of identity.
  • Final Stanza: The poem ends powerfully with the unborn child stating they would rather not be born than live in a corrupt world: “Otherwise kill me.”

Main Themes

  1. Innocence vs. Corruption
  2. The Horrors of War
  3. Loss of Identity
  4. Control and Manipulation
  5. Fear and Vulnerability
  6. Moral and Spiritual Crisis

Literary Analysis

  • Form: Free verse, no regular rhyme or rhythm—mirroring the chaotic world.
  • Tone: Pleading, fearful, desperate.
  • Voice: Dramatic monologue by a fetus—powerful use of an unborn speaker for impact.
  • Language:
    • Repetition of “I am not yet born…” creates urgency.
    • Use of imperatives: “Provide me, forgive me, rehearse me…”
    • Biblical and mythical allusions (e.g. “bloodsucking bat or the club-footed ghoul”).
    • Vivid imagery of war, suffering, betrayal.
  • Structure: Escalating intensity from hope to desperation; ends on a chilling ultimatum.

Main Message

  • The poem criticises a world marred by war, dehumanisation, and moral decay.
  • It questions whether it is even worth being born into such a corrupted existence.
  • The unborn child symbolises purity, begging not to be twisted by societal evil.

Expected Exam Questions

  • How does MacNeice present fear and vulnerability in ‘Prayer Before Birth’?
  • What does the poem suggest about the impact of war on human morality?
  • Explore how MacNeice uses voice and imagery to portray a dystopian world.
  • How does the structure of the poem reflect the emotional journey of the speaker?