The poet achieves several effects by referring to the two opposing aspects of nature, namely, the destructive side

(like storm, drought, earthquake, tsunami and volcano) and the more positive side that nourishes, that is life-giving, that soothes the mind and calm the soul (e.g. bird, flowers, trees, sunshine). The use of the storm to establish the setting is particularly effective - it symbolises both the turmoil in the poet and the anxiety he harbours for the safety of his daughter, and the turbulent times that his daughter has been born into as Ireland was fighting for its independence. The metaphor "haystack- and roof-levelling" wind and the repetition of the word "scream" twice successfully convey the intensity and ferocity of the storm and enable the reader to appreciate both the extreme degree of anxiety Yeats feels for Anne and the dangerous times that Anne faces. Through personification ("howling" and "scream"), the wind appears to be alive and become even more threatening. The reference to the sea emphasises these dual aspects of nature. The sea can appear calm, serene and peaceful. It can also spawn destructive hurricanes and deadly tsunamis. Yeats uses the oxymoron "murderous innocence" to perfectly encapsulate this idea. Yeats also uses the reference to the sea to achieve a turning point in the poem. In the earlier part of the poem, Yeats refers to the destructive side of nature whereas in the later part, he refers to the more positive aspects of nature. There is also a parallel change in the tone of the poem, the tone in the earlier stanzas being dark and menacing and that in the subsequent stanzas being more hopeful and cheerful. The later reference to nature is to its more positive aspects, namely, the linnet, the tree and the green laurel. The comparison to a linnet immediately conjures up the image of a person who is innocent, cheerful and joyous. The parallel structure of the two phrases - "Nor but in merriment begin a chase," and "Nor but in merriment a quarrel" - emphasises these characteristics by highlighting the playfulness and innocence of the linnet. A tree stays rooted in a place and symbolises permanence and stability - rainforests have existed for millions of years. Yeats stresses the importance of a stable home and life by wanting Anne to be "rooted" in a "dear perpetual place" - both "rooted" and "perpetual" convey the same idea of

permanence and we are left, in no doubt, how much importance Yeats places on a stable home. In conclusion, Yeats makes effective use of the two contrasting sides of nature to symbolise the turbulent times ahead and the qualities he hopes his daughter will acquire. Despite the turmoil and gloominess in the world, we can always find examples from Mother Nature to support, soothe and comfort us.