By: Prof. Dr. Fazal Rehman | Last updated: February 11, 2025
“The Stolen Child” by W. B. Yeats is a poem about a child who is lured away by fairies to escape the troubles of the human world. The fairies invite the child to leave behind the struggles and sadness of life and live with them in a peaceful, magical place. They promise the child a carefree, joyful life full of nature’s beauty, away from human worries.
The poem contrasts the innocence and purity of childhood with the harsh realities of the world. It suggests that while the fairy world may seem enchanting, it also means leaving behind family and the things that make us human. The child is caught between the choice of staying in the real world or escaping into a dreamy, magical existence.
The Stolen Child by W. B. Yeats Summary
Fact
Details
Title
The Stolen Child
Author
W. B. Yeats
Main Character
A child who is invited by fairies to escape the troubles of the human world
Theme
Innocence, the contrast between childhood and the harshness of life
Setting
The natural world, a mystical, magical place where the fairies reside
Plot
Fairies invite the child to leave the struggles of the human world and live in a peaceful, enchanting place.
Symbolism
The child represents innocence and purity, while the fairy world symbolizes an escape from life’s hardships.
Tone
Dreamy, mysterious, and filled with a sense of longing for escape
Message
The poem explores the tension between the carefree world of childhood and the reality of adult life. It suggests that escaping from reality may come with a price.