For Anne Gregory - NCERT Class 10, First Flight, Chapter 8 - Summary, Questions, Answers, Extra Questions, MCQ
Detailed summary and explanation of Chapter 8 'For Anne Gregory' with all question answers, extra questions, and MCQs from NCERT Class X, First Flight.
Updated : 4 weeks ago
Introduction
"For Anne Gregory" is a thought-provoking poem by W.B. Yeats that revolves around the theme of love, beauty, and true self-worth. The poem is a conversation between a young man and Anne Gregory, where the young man expresses that men love Anne for her physical beauty, especially her golden hair, rather than her true inner self. Anne, however, believes that she can change her hair color to be loved for who she is on the inside. The poem concludes with a message that only God can love someone for their inner self, beyond physical appearances.
Summary in English
The poem "For Anne Gregory" begins with a young man telling Anne that no man would love her for herself alone but for her outward beauty, specifically her "yellow hair." Anne, in response, says that she could dye her hair any color, such as brown, black, or carrot, to be loved for who she truly is, and not just for her golden locks. The conversation takes a deeper turn when the young man quotes an old religious man who said that only God can love someone for their true inner self, without being influenced by their physical appearance. The poem ends on this reflective note, suggesting that human love is often superficial, but divine love sees beyond physical traits.
Summary in Hindi
"ऐनी ग्रेगरी के लिए" विलियम बटलर यीट्स द्वारा लिखी गई एक कविता है जो प्रेम, सौंदर्य और असली आत्म-मूल्य जैसे विषयों पर केंद्रित है। यह कविता एक संवाद के रूप में प्रस्तुत की गई है, जिसमें एक युवा व्यक्ति ऐनी से कहता है कि पुरुष केवल उसकी बाहरी सुंदरता, विशेष रूप से उसके सुनहरे बालों के कारण उससे प्रेम करते हैं, न कि उसकी वास्तविक आंतरिक व्यक्तित्व के कारण। ऐनी इसका उत्तर देती है कि वह अपने बालों को किसी भी रंग, जैसे भूरे, काले या गाजरी रंग में रंग सकती है ताकि उसे केवल उसके बाहरी रूप के बजाय उसकी असली आंतरिक पहचान के लिए प्रेम किया जाए। अंत में, युवा व्यक्ति एक धार्मिक व्यक्ति का हवाला देते हुए कहता है कि केवल भगवान ही किसी को उसकी आंतरिक पहचान के लिए प्रेम कर सकते हैं, जो बाहरी रूप से परे होता है।
Thinking About the Poem
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?
The "great honey-coloured ramparts" refers to the woman's golden or yellow hair. The young man suggests that her beautiful hair acts like a barrier or wall ("ramparts") that makes young men fall in love with her appearance, throwing them into despair because they cannot love her for who she truly is, beyond her physical beauty.
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?
The young woman’s hair is yellow, or golden. She says that she can dye it brown, black, or carrot (orange) in order to be loved for herself and not just for her beautiful yellow hair. She wants to change her hair color to prove that someone can love her for who she is on the inside, rather than for her appearance.
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?
Different objects have qualities that make them desirable. For example, a car might be desired for its speed, comfort, or luxury features. A phone could be desirable because of its advanced technology, sleek design, or high-quality camera. If I were trying to sell an object like a phone, I would emphasize its long battery life, fast performance, and the quality of its camera to attract potential buyers.
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? Discuss this question in pairs or in groups, considering points like the following:
- (i) A parent or caregiver’s love for a newborn baby, for a mentally or physically challenged child, for a clever child or a prodigy
- (ii) The public’s love for a film star, a sportsperson, a politician, or a social worker
- (iii) Your love for a friend, or brother or sister
- (iv) Your love for a pet, and the pet’s love for you
People are often loved for both their physical and mental qualities. However, it is possible to love someone “for themselves alone” without attaching too much value to their looks, talents, or achievements. For example, a parent’s love for a newborn baby or a child with special needs is often unconditional. Similarly, our love for close family members or friends can go beyond their qualities and is based on emotional bonds. The question of whether some people are more lovable than others is complex and varies depending on individual perspectives.
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?
Yeats’ question—“How can we separate the dancer from the dance?”—explores the idea that a person’s identity is often intertwined with their appearance, actions, and behavior. It is challenging to separate a person’s inner self from their external traits. Over time, as people change in appearance, behavior, or personality, relationships also evolve. For instance, a family member or friend may change physically or mentally over the years, and our perception of them might shift as well. The bond, however, may strengthen or grow deeper as we understand and accept those changes.
About the Poet - William Butler Yeats
William Butler Yeats (1865–1939) was an Irish poet, dramatist, and one of the foremost figures of 20th-century literature. He was born in Dublin, Ireland, and was a major figure in the Irish Literary Revival. Yeats was deeply interested in mysticism, folklore, and the occult, which influenced much of his work. His poetry often reflects his passion for Irish nationalism and his exploration of the spiritual and philosophical questions of life.
Yeats' works range from early romantic poems to later, more modernist works that show a growing disillusionment with the world. He won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1923, recognized for his contributions to the literary world and his lasting influence on poetry. Some of his famous works include "The Second Coming," "Sailing to Byzantium," and "Easter 1916."
Yeats' poetry is known for its lyrical beauty, depth of meaning, and exploration of universal themes such as love, beauty, and the passage of time. His ability to blend myth and reality continues to make his works relevant and admired by readers across the globe.
