For Anne Gregory CBSE ENGLISH Class 10: Summary and Important Q&A
For Anne Gregory Class 10: Summary, Meaning, and Important Q&A
For Anne Gregory is a beautiful dialogue between an elderly speaker (likely the poet) and a young woman named Anne. The poem explores the superficial nature of human love and the divine nature of true, spiritual love.
Summary of the Poem
The poem starts with the speaker telling Anne that no young man will ever love her for "herself alone." Instead, they will be "thrown into despair" by her gorgeous honey-colored ramparts (her hair).
Anne responds by saying she can change her hair color to brown, black, or carrot to prove that men can love her for her mind and soul rather than her looks. However, the speaker concludes by quoting a religious text, saying that only God is capable of loving a person for who they are internally, while humans are always distracted by physical beauty.
Short Answer Questions
1. What does the speaker mean by "honey-colored ramparts"?
The "ramparts" refer to Anne's thick, beautiful yellow hair that falls around her ears like a wall or a fortification. The color "honey" suggests its richness and attractiveness, which acts as a barrier because men cannot see past it to her true character.
2. Why is the young man in "despair"?
The young man is in despair because he is completely captivated by Anne’s physical beauty. He is so "hopelessly in love" with her golden hair that he cannot reach her soul. His love is based on what he sees, not who she is.
3. What is Anne Gregory’s reaction to the speaker’s words?
Anne is not happy that men love her for her hair. She wants to be loved for her internal qualities. She suggests that she can dye her hair a different, perhaps less attractive color, to see if anyone would still love her "for herself alone."
4. What colors does Anne suggest she could dye her hair?
Anne mentions she could change her hair color to brown, black, or carrot (orange). This shows her willingness to sacrifice her physical beauty to find a "true" lover.
5. What did the "religious man" discover in a text?
The religious man found a text proving that only God can love a person for their soul alone. Humans lack the spiritual depth to ignore outward appearances, but God’s love is unconditional and looks past the "yellow hair."
6. What is the central irony in the poem?
The irony is that Anne wants to be loved for her inner self, but the very beauty she possesses makes it impossible for men to do so. Her physical perfection "blinds" the men who claim to love her.
7. Identify the poetic device in "honey-colored ramparts."
The primary device is a Metaphor. Anne’s hair is compared to the protective walls (ramparts) of a castle, suggesting that her beauty protects her soul from being seen but also keeps people from truly knowing her.
8. Is the speaker being pessimistic about human love?
Yes, the speaker suggests that human love is naturally shallow. By stating that "only God" can love her for herself, he implies that human nature is inevitably tied to physical attraction.
9. What does the word "yesternight" suggest about the speaker’s source?
"Yesternight" (last night) suggests that the speaker’s realization is fresh. He recently heard or read the religious text, giving his argument a sense of immediate truth and authority.
10. Why is the hair color "carrot" mentioned?
"Carrot" is often considered a less "conventionally beautiful" hair color compared to gold. Anne chooses it to emphasize that she would rather be plain-looking and truly loved than beautiful and loved superficially.
Long Answer Questions
1. "Human love is based on outward appearances, while Divine love is based on the soul." Discuss this with reference to the poem.
ANS: The poem draws a sharp line between how humans love and how God loves. For humans, beauty is a "hook" that catches the heart. Even the most well-meaning young man is influenced by Anne’s "honey-colored" hair. The poet argues that it is almost impossible for a human to ignore the "ramparts" of beauty. In contrast, the "religious man" reveals that God looks straight at the heart. Divine love is the only form of love that is truly "for yourself alone," as it is not dependent on age, hair color, or physical perfection.
2. Anne Gregory is a woman who values her character over her looks. Do you agree? Give reasons.
ANS: Yes, Anne Gregory is depicted as a person of substance. When told that men love her for her hair, her immediate response is a desire to change it. She doesn't want the "easy" love that comes from being beautiful; she wants the "hard" love that comes from being understood. Her willingness to dye her hair brown or black shows that she is not vain. She is searching for a partner who has the maturity to look into her eyes and see her mind, rather than just admiring her hair.
3. Analyze the symbolism of "Yellow Hair" in the poem.
Ans: In this poem, "yellow hair" is more than just a physical trait; it is a symbol of Maya or the illusion of the physical world. It represents the "external" things—wealth, status, and beauty—that distract us from the truth. The hair is called a "rampart," which is a defensive wall. This symbolizes how beauty can actually be a barrier to intimacy. People "attack" the wall (the beauty) but never actually enter the "castle" (the soul).
Human love is based on outward appearances, while Divine love is based on the soul." Discuss this with reference to the poem.
Ans: The poem draws a sharp line between how humans love and how God loves. For humans, beauty is a "hook" that catches the heart. Even the most well-meaning young man is influenced by Anne’s "honey-colored" hair. The poet argues that it is almost impossible for a human to ignore the "ramparts" of beauty. In contrast, the "religious man" reveals that God looks straight at the heart. Divine love is the only form of love that is truly "for yourself alone," as it is not dependent on age, hair color, or physical perfection.
4. Anne Gregory is a woman who values her character over her looks. Do you agree? Give reasons.
ANS: Yes, Anne Gregory is depicted as a person of substance. When told that men love her for her hair, her immediate response is a desire to change it. She doesn't want the "easy" love that comes from being beautiful; she wants the "hard" love that comes from being understood. Her willingness to dye her hair brown or black shows that she is not vain. She is searching for a partner who has the maturity to look into her eyes and see her mind, rather than just admiring her hair.
5. Analyze the symbolism of "Yellow Hair" and "Ramparts" in the poem.
ANS: In this poem, "yellow hair" is more than just a physical trait; it is a symbol of the physical world's illusions. It represents the "external" things—wealth, status, and beauty—that distract us from the truth. The hair is specifically called a "rampart," which is a defensive wall of a castle. This symbolizes how beauty can actually be a barrier to intimacy. People admire the wall (the beauty) but never actually enter the "castle" (the soul), making the beauty a lonely fortress for Anne.
6. Discuss the poet’s view on the limitations of human perception.
Ans:The poet, W.B. Yeats, suggests that human perception is inherently flawed and limited. Unlike God, humans cannot separate the "essence" of a person from their "appearance." Even the most intellectual or romantic man is still "thrown into despair" by physical traits. The poem serves as a reminder that while we strive to love people for who they are, we are often biological prisoners to what we see. It challenges the reader to look deeper than the "honey-colored" surfaces of the people around them.
7. How does the poem "For Anne Gregory" act as a critique of societal standards of beauty?
Ans:The poem critiques a society that prioritizes the "yellow hair" over the individual's "self." By having Anne suggest she would dye her hair "black" or "carrot," Yeats shows that society's standards are arbitrary—if she were less beautiful, she might be more truly loved. It highlights the tragedy that highly attractive people often face: they are surrounded by admirers, yet they feel lonely because no one is interested in their actual personality. The poem encourages a shift from valuing "outward ramparts" to valuing the "human soul."
Practice MCQs
1. Who is the poet of 'For Anne Gregory'?
A. Robert Frost
B. W.B. Yeats
C. Walt Whitman
D. John Berryman
Answer: B
2. What is the color of Anne's hair?
A. Black
B. Brown
C. Honey/Yellow
D. Carrot
Answer: C
3. What does Anne want to be loved for?
A. Her hair
B. Her clothes
C. Herself alone
D. Her money
Answer: C
4. Who can love Anne for "herself alone" according to the poet?
A. A young man
B. Her father
C. Only God
D. The poet
Answer: C
5. What does the word 'ramparts' mean in the poem?
A. Ears
B. Protective walls/Hair around ears
C. Steps
D. Mountains
Answer: B
6. What is the poet's primary argument regarding human love?
A. It is always selfless and pure
B. It is easily distracted by external beauty
C. It is only possible between family members
D. It is better than divine love
Answer: B
7. Why does Anne Gregory want to dye her hair?
A. To follow a new fashion trend
B. Because she dislikes the color yellow
C. To find a lover who looks past her physical appearance
D. To please the religious man
Answer: C
8. In the line "That he had found a text to prove," who is "he"?
A. The young lover
B. The poet
C. An old religious man
D. Anne's father
Answer: C
9. What does the "text" mentioned in the last stanza represent?
A. A fashion magazine
B. A love letter
C. Divine or scriptural authority
D. A scientific report on hair color
Answer: C
10. Which word best describes the tone of the poem’s conclusion?
A. Sarcastic
B. Joyful and celebratory
C. Philosophical and realistic
D. Angry and frustrated
Answer: C
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