For Anne Gregory 10

Poem: For Anne Gregory

Poet: William Butler Yeats

Word Meanings

Word / Phrase	Meaning
Honey-coloured	Golden-yellow colour (referring to Anne’s hair)
Ramparts	Defensive walls of a fort; here it means the curls of her hair surrounding her face
Thrown into despair	Deeply saddened or heartbroken
Hair-dye	Substance used to colour hair
Carrot	Orange or reddish colour of hair
Declare	To say something firmly or announce
Text	Written words, here it means a passage or saying from a holy book
Religious man	A saint, holy person, or wise man who studies spiritual truths
Despair	Sadness or hopelessness
Yourself alone	Your true self, your real inner nature

Stanza-wise Explanation

Stanza 1

“Never shall a young man,
Thrown into despair
By those great honey-coloured
Ramparts at your ear,
Love you for yourself alone
And not your yellow hair.”

Explanation:
The poet tells Anne Gregory that young men will never love her for her true inner self.
They are attracted only by her outer beauty, especially her golden hair that surrounds her face like protective walls.
The poet sadly points out that people value physical beauty more than inner qualities.

Message:
Most people judge others by appearance, not by their heart or character.

Stanza 2

“But I can get a hair-dye
And set such colour there,
Brown, or black, or carrot,
That young men in despair
May love me for myself alone
And not my yellow hair.”

Explanation:
Anne Gregory answers that she can easily change her hair colour to brown, black, or carrot-red if she wishes.
She wants to show that real love should not depend on how she looks, but on who she is inside.
She believes that if she hides her golden hair, men might finally love her for her heart, not for her beauty.

Message:
Anne values inner beauty and wants to be loved for her true self, not her looks.

Stanza 3

“But I heard an old religious man
Declare that he had found
A text in an old book,
Stating that only God, my dear,
Could love you for yourself alone
And not your yellow hair.”

Explanation:
The poet replies that a holy man once said that only God can love someone for their true self.
Humans, being imperfect, usually notice and admire outer beauty first.
God alone can look beyond appearance and love the soul, not the body.

Message:
God’s love is pure and unconditional, while human love is often influenced by beauty or charm.

Summary 

The poem “For Anne Gregory” by W. B. Yeats talks about the difference between physical beauty and inner beauty.
The poet says that young men love Anne Gregory because of her golden hair and attractive looks, not because of who she truly is.
Anne argues that she can change her hair colour to prove that true love should not depend on looks.
The poet then concludes by quoting a wise, religious man, who says that only God can love a person for what they really are inside, without caring about outward appearance.

Through this poem, Yeats expresses a deep truth — that human love is often superficial, while divine love is selfless and pure.

Central Idea

The central idea of the poem is that true love goes beyond physical appearance.
Most people are attracted to outer beauty, but real and lasting love is based on the inner qualities of a person.
Yeats shows that only God’s love is truly pure and unconditional, because God loves the soul, not the body.
The poem teaches us to value inner goodness, simplicity, and purity of heart more than physical beauty.

Summary :

The poem “For Anne Gregory” talks about true love and outer beauty.
Yeats explains that people usually love others for their appearance, not for their real self.
Anne Gregory wishes to be loved for who she truly is, not just for her golden hair.
The poet ends by saying that only God’s love is completely unselfish and pure, as God looks at the soul, not the body.

1. What does the young man mean by “great honey-coloured / Ramparts at your ear”? Why does he say that young men are “thrown into despair” by them?

Answer:
The phrase “great honey-coloured ramparts at your ear” refers to Anne Gregory’s beautiful golden hair, which falls like walls (ramparts) around her face.
Young men are “thrown into despair” because they fall in love with her outer beauty—especially her lovely hair—but cannot win her true heart or see her inner goodness.

2. What colour is the young woman’s hair? What does she say she can change it to? Why would she want to do so?

Answer:
Anne Gregory’s hair is honey-coloured (golden).
She says she could dye it brown, black, or carrot-coloured if she wished.
She wants to do this to prove that true love should not depend on her looks or hair colour, but should be based on her real self and character.

3. Objects have qualities which make them desirable to others. Can you think of some objects (a car, a phone, a dress…) and say what qualities make one object more desirable than another? Imagine you were trying to sell an object: what qualities would you emphasise?

Answer (sample):
Yes, objects are valued for their qualities.

• A car may be desirable because it is comfortable, stylish, and fuel-efficient.

• A mobile phone is liked for its camera quality, speed, design, and battery life.

• A dress is preferred for its colour, fabric, and fitting.

If I were selling a phone, I would emphasise its latest features, long battery backup, smooth performance, and attractive design to make it more desirable.

4. What about people? Do we love others because we like their qualities, whether physical or mental? Or is it possible to love someone “for themselves alone”? Are some people ‘more lovable’ than others?

Answer (sample discussion):
Sometimes we love others because of their qualities—like beauty, kindness, or intelligence.
But real love means loving a person for who they truly are, not just for their looks or talents.
For example:

• A parent loves their child, even if the child is not beautiful or brilliant.

• The public may love a star for fame, but that love fades.

• True friendship or family love is based on care and understanding, not outer qualities.
  So yes, it is possible to love someone “for themselves alone.”

5. You have perhaps concluded that people are not objects to be valued for their qualities or riches rather than for themselves. But elsewhere Yeats asks the question: How can we separate the dancer from the dance? Is it possible to separate ‘the person himself or herself’ from how the person looks, sounds, walks, and so on? Think of how you or a friend or member of your family has changed over the years. Has your relationship also changed? In what way?

Answer (sample reflection):
It is hard to separate a person from their looks, voice, or actions because these things are part of who they are—just like we cannot separate the dancer from the dance.
For example, when a family member grows older, their appearance may change, but our love and bond remain the same or even become stronger.
So, even if a person changes on the outside, true relationships are built on emotions, memories, and understanding, not on appearance.