Class 10 English First Flight Poem 11 Question Answer | For Anne Gregory
Welcome to HSLC Guru. In this article, we provide a complete set of questions and answers for Class 10 English First Flight Poem 11 – For Anne Gregory by William Butler Yeats. This poem is an important part of the ASSEB (Assam State Board of Secondary Education) Class 10 English syllabus. Here you will find the poem explanation, central idea, textbook solutions (Thinking about the Poem), additional short and long answer questions, MCQs, extract-based questions, and literary devices to help you prepare thoroughly for your HSLC examination.
About the Poet
William Butler Yeats (1865-1939) was an Irish poet, dramatist, and one of the foremost figures of 20th-century literature. He was a driving force behind the Irish Literary Revival and was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1923. Yeats is known for his mystical and symbolic poetry. Some of his most famous works include “The Lake Isle of Innisfree,” “The Second Coming,” “Sailing to Byzantium,” and “Easter, 1916.” The poem “For Anne Gregory” was written for Anne Gregory, the granddaughter of his close friend and patron, Lady Augusta Gregory.
Poem Text: For Anne Gregory
“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.”
“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.”
“I heard an old religious man
But yesternight declare
That he had found a text to prove
That only God, my dear,
Could love you for yourself alone
And not your yellow hair.”
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Despair | A state of hopelessness; complete loss of hope |
| Honey-coloured | Golden yellow colour, like the colour of honey |
| Ramparts | Defensive walls of a fort or castle; here it refers to Anne’s hair that falls like walls around her ears |
| Hair-dye | A substance used to change the colour of one’s hair |
| Carrot | Here, a reddish-orange colour (like the colour of a carrot) |
| Yesternight | Last night; the previous evening |
| Declare | To announce or state firmly |
| Text | A passage from a religious scripture or book |
Poem Explanation (Stanza-wise)
Stanza 1 (The Poet/Young Man Speaks)
“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.”
In the first stanza, the poet (or a young man) addresses Anne Gregory and tells her that no young man who falls hopelessly in love with her beautiful golden yellow hair, which falls like the walls of a fort around her ears, will ever be able to love her purely for her inner self. The young men are captivated by her external beauty — particularly her stunning “honey-coloured” hair — and this physical attraction is what drives their love. The poet suggests that it is impossible for them to separate their feelings for her from their attraction to her appearance. The word “ramparts” is a powerful metaphor comparing her hair to the protective walls of a fortress, suggesting that her outer beauty acts as a barrier that prevents people from seeing her true inner self.
Stanza 2 (Anne Gregory Responds)
“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.”
In the second stanza, Anne Gregory responds to the poet’s claim. She says that she can easily change her appearance by dyeing her hair to a different colour — brown, black, or carrot (reddish-orange). She believes that by changing her hair colour, she can remove the superficial attraction and make young men love her for who she truly is on the inside, rather than for her beautiful yellow hair. Anne’s response shows her desire to be valued for her personality, character, and inner qualities rather than her physical appearance. However, there is a subtle irony here — changing one’s hair colour is still a change in external appearance, and it does not necessarily guarantee that people will see beyond the surface.
Stanza 3 (The Poet’s Conclusion)
“I heard an old religious man / But yesternight declare / That he had found a text to prove / That only God, my dear, / Could love you for yourself alone / And not your yellow hair.”
In the final stanza, the poet brings the conversation to a philosophical conclusion. He tells Anne that he heard an old religious man declare just the previous night that he had found a passage in a religious text that proves that only God can love a person purely for who they are, without being influenced by their physical appearance. This means that human beings are inherently drawn to external beauty and cannot help but be influenced by physical attributes. Only divine love is truly unconditional and can look beyond the surface to love a person for their soul alone. The poet gently tells Anne that her plan to dye her hair will not work because the problem is not with her hair colour but with human nature itself.
Central Idea of the Poem
The central idea of the poem “For Anne Gregory” is that human love is often based on physical appearance rather than inner qualities. The poem, written as a conversation between the poet and Anne Gregory, explores the difference between superficial attraction and genuine love. The poet argues that young men are inevitably drawn to Anne’s beautiful yellow hair and cannot love her purely for her inner self. Anne believes she can change this by altering her appearance, but the poet concludes with the wisdom of a religious man who says that only God is capable of loving someone unconditionally — for their soul alone, without being influenced by their external beauty. The poem conveys the message that while humans tend to judge others by their outward appearance, true and pure love that values a person’s inner worth is a divine quality.
Thinking about the Poem (NCERT Textbook Questions and Answers)
Q1. 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?
Ans: By “great honey-coloured / Ramparts at your ear,” the young man refers to Anne Gregory’s beautiful golden yellow hair that falls gracefully around her ears like the protective walls (ramparts) of a fort. The word “ramparts” is a metaphor that compares her hair to fortress walls, suggesting that her beauty acts as a powerful barrier. He says that young men are “thrown into despair” by them because they fall hopelessly in love with her stunning appearance. They are overwhelmed by her physical beauty and are driven to a state of hopelessness and longing because they cannot help being attracted to her external charm. The despair comes from the fact that their love is based on something superficial — her appearance — rather than on knowing her true inner self.
Q2. What colour is the young woman’s hair? What does she say she can change it to? Why would she want to do so?
Ans: The young woman’s (Anne Gregory’s) hair is yellow in colour, described as “honey-coloured” in the poem. She says she can change it to brown, black, or carrot (reddish-orange) by using a hair-dye. She wants to do so because the poet has told her that young men love her only for her beautiful yellow hair and not for her inner self. Anne does not want to be loved merely for her external beauty. She desires to be loved for her true self — her personality, character, and inner qualities. By changing her hair colour, she hopes to remove the superficial attraction so that young men may appreciate her for who she really is on the inside, rather than being captivated by her outward appearance.
Q3. Objects have qualities which make them desirable to others. Can you think of some such objects and their qualities?
Ans: Yes, there are many objects that are desirable because of their specific qualities. For example:
- A diamond is desired for its sparkle, brilliance, and rarity.
- A rose is loved for its beauty, fragrance, and delicate petals.
- A smartphone is desired for its features, camera quality, and brand value.
- Gold is valued for its shine, purity, and lasting nature.
- A car is desired for its speed, design, and comfort.
Just as these objects are valued for their external qualities, the poem suggests that people too are often valued for their physical appearance rather than their inner worth. The poem encourages us to look beyond the surface and appreciate the true essence of a person.
Q4. Do we love people because we perceive certain qualities in them? Or do we love them because of who they are, regardless of their qualities?
Ans: In most cases, we tend to love people because we perceive certain attractive qualities in them — such as their beauty, intelligence, kindness, sense of humour, or talent. Our initial attraction is often based on these visible qualities. However, true and deep love goes beyond these qualities and loves a person for who they are at their core — with all their strengths and weaknesses. For example, a mother loves her child unconditionally, regardless of the child’s qualities or achievements. Similarly, genuine friendship is based on acceptance of the whole person, not just their appealing traits. The poem “For Anne Gregory” makes us reflect on this very question and concludes that only God can love someone purely for themselves, without being influenced by their external qualities. Ideally, we should strive to love people for who they truly are, not just for what attracts us on the surface.
Q5. You have perhaps concluded that people are unable to separate a person from how the person looks. If so, are there people who can see a person without being influenced by the way they look? Do you know of any such people?
Ans: Yes, it is true that most people find it difficult to separate a person from their physical appearance. However, there are some exceptional individuals who can look beyond outward appearance. Saints and spiritual leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Teresa, and Gautama Buddha are examples of people who loved and served others without any regard for their physical appearance, caste, or social status. Mother Teresa cared for the sick and dying regardless of how they looked. Mahatma Gandhi fought for the rights of the untouchables and treated every human being as equal. In our daily lives, parents often love their children unconditionally, looking beyond their appearance. Truly wise and compassionate people have the ability to see the soul of a person rather than just their outer shell. As the poem states, God is the ultimate example of one who loves unconditionally, without being influenced by external beauty.
Short Answer Type Questions (2-3 Marks)
Q1. Who was Anne Gregory? What is her relationship with the poet?
Ans: Anne Gregory was the granddaughter of Lady Augusta Gregory, who was a close friend and literary patron of the poet William Butler Yeats. The poem is addressed to Anne Gregory and takes the form of a friendly conversation between the poet and the young woman about the nature of love and beauty.
Q2. What is the form or structure of the poem “For Anne Gregory”?
Ans: The poem “For Anne Gregory” is a short lyric poem written in the form of a dialogue or conversation. It consists of three stanzas of six lines each (sestets). The first and third stanzas are spoken by the poet, while the second stanza is Anne Gregory’s response. The rhyme scheme is ABCBDB throughout the poem.
Q3. What does “ramparts” mean in the poem? Why has the poet used this word?
Ans: “Ramparts” literally means the defensive walls of a fort or castle. In the poem, the poet uses this word as a metaphor to describe Anne Gregory’s beautiful golden hair that falls around her ears like the walls of a fortress. The poet has used this word to suggest that Anne’s outer beauty acts as a barrier — just as ramparts protect what is inside a fort, her beautiful hair prevents young men from seeing her true inner self. They get captivated by her external appearance and cannot look beyond it.
Q4. Why does the poet say that a young man can never love Anne for herself alone?
Ans: The poet says that a young man can never love Anne for herself alone because her physical beauty, especially her beautiful honey-coloured yellow hair, is so captivating that it overwhelms the young men completely. They are “thrown into despair” by her appearance and fall in love with her external charm rather than her inner qualities. The poet believes that human nature is such that people cannot separate a person from their outward appearance, and therefore genuine love based solely on inner worth is beyond human capability.
Q5. What is Anne Gregory’s reaction to the poet’s statement in the first stanza?
Ans: Anne Gregory disagrees with the poet’s statement. She responds by saying that she can easily get a hair-dye and change the colour of her hair to brown, black, or carrot (reddish-orange). She believes that by changing her outward appearance, she can ensure that young men love her for her inner self rather than for her yellow hair. Her reaction shows her strong desire to be valued for who she truly is and her willingness to change her looks to achieve genuine love.
Q6. Why does Anne Gregory want to change her hair colour?
Ans: Anne Gregory wants to change her hair colour because the poet has told her that young men love her only for her beautiful yellow hair and not for her true self. She feels that her attractive appearance is a hindrance to finding genuine love. By dyeing her hair brown, black, or carrot, she hopes to remove the superficial attraction so that someone may love her for her personality, character, and inner qualities rather than being dazzled by her external beauty.
Q7. What role does the “old religious man” play in the poem?
Ans: The “old religious man” plays a crucial role in the poem by providing the final and definitive answer to the debate between the poet and Anne Gregory. He represents spiritual wisdom and authority. The poet tells Anne that he heard this religious man declare that he had found a text (a passage from a religious scripture) that proves only God can love someone purely for who they are, without being influenced by their physical appearance. The religious man’s declaration settles the argument by suggesting that unconditional love based on inner worth is a divine quality, not a human one.
Q8. What does “yellow hair” symbolize in the poem?
Ans: In the poem, “yellow hair” symbolizes external or physical beauty. It represents all the superficial attributes that attract people to someone. The poet uses Anne’s golden yellow hair as a symbol for outward appearance in general. Just as young men are drawn to her hair, people in the real world are often drawn to the external beauty of others. The poem argues that this physical attraction prevents people from appreciating the inner worth and true self of a person.
Q9. What message does the poem convey about human love and divine love?
Ans: The poem conveys that human love is often superficial and based on physical appearance. Humans tend to be attracted to external beauty and find it difficult to love someone purely for their inner self. In contrast, divine love (God’s love) is unconditional and pure. Only God can love a person for who they truly are, without being influenced by how they look. The poem thus highlights the limitations of human love and the perfection of divine love.
Q10. Is Anne’s idea of dyeing her hair a practical solution? Why or why not?
Ans: No, Anne’s idea of dyeing her hair is not a practical solution to the problem. Even if she changes her hair colour, her overall physical appearance will still influence how people perceive her. Changing one external feature does not guarantee that people will suddenly start loving her for her inner self. The poet implies this by quoting the religious man who says that only God can love someone purely for themselves. The real issue is not the colour of Anne’s hair but the inherent tendency of human beings to be influenced by outward appearance.
Q11. What is the significance of the title “For Anne Gregory”?
Ans: The title “For Anne Gregory” tells us that the poem is dedicated to and addressed to a young woman named Anne Gregory, who was the granddaughter of Lady Augusta Gregory. The word “For” suggests that the poem is written as a piece of advice or wisdom offered to Anne. It also indicates that the poem is a personal and conversational piece, not a general address to the public. The title sets up the intimate, dialogue-like tone of the poem.
Q12. What does the word “despair” suggest about the effect of Anne’s beauty on young men?
Ans: The word “despair” suggests that Anne’s beauty has an overwhelming and almost devastating effect on young men. They are not just attracted to her — they are thrown into a state of hopelessness and emotional turmoil. Her beauty is so striking that it leaves them helpless and lovesick. The use of “despair” indicates that the attraction is not just casual admiration but an intense, all-consuming experience that brings more pain than joy, as the young men cannot truly possess or understand her inner self.
Q13. What does “yesternight” mean? Why has the poet used this word instead of “last night”?
Ans: “Yesternight” means “last night” or “the previous evening.” The poet has used this archaic (old-fashioned) word instead of “last night” to create a sense of timelessness and old-world wisdom. It gives the religious man’s declaration a solemn, authoritative feel, as if the wisdom being shared is ancient and eternal. The use of “yesternight” also adds to the poetic quality and rhythm of the verse, fitting the formal and philosophical tone of the final stanza.
Q14. How is the poem structured as a conversation? Who speaks in each stanza?
Ans: The poem is structured as a three-part conversation between the poet (or a young man) and Anne Gregory. In the first stanza, the poet speaks and tells Anne that no young man will ever love her for herself alone because they are all captivated by her beautiful yellow hair. In the second stanza, Anne responds by saying she can dye her hair to a different colour so that men may love her for her true self. In the third stanza, the poet speaks again and concludes by quoting an old religious man who says that only God can love someone for themselves alone. This conversational structure makes the poem engaging and dramatic.
Q15. Why do you think the poet brings in a religious man at the end of the poem?
Ans: The poet brings in a religious man at the end of the poem to add authority, wisdom, and a spiritual dimension to his argument. Instead of simply stating his own opinion, the poet quotes a respected religious figure who has found scriptural proof to support the claim. This makes the conclusion more convincing and gives it a universal, philosophical weight. The religious man’s declaration that “only God could love you for yourself alone” elevates the poem’s theme from a simple discussion about beauty and love to a deeper reflection on the nature of human limitations and divine perfection.
Q16. How does the poem reflect the idea that appearance is changeable but character is permanent?
Ans: The poem reflects this idea through Anne’s willingness to change her hair colour. She says she can easily get a hair-dye and set brown, black, or carrot colour in her hair. This shows that physical appearance is temporary and changeable — it can be altered with simple means like a dye. However, the poet’s argument implies that one’s inner self, character, and soul remain the same regardless of outward changes. Even if Anne changes her hair colour, she will still be the same person inside. The poem encourages readers to value the permanent inner qualities of a person rather than their changeable external features.
Long Answer Type Questions (5-6 Marks)
Q1. Discuss the theme of inner beauty versus outer beauty in the poem “For Anne Gregory” by W.B. Yeats.
Ans: The poem “For Anne Gregory” by William Butler Yeats is a thoughtful exploration of the age-old debate between inner beauty and outer beauty. The entire poem revolves around the question of whether people can love someone for who they truly are, or whether they are inevitably drawn to physical appearance.
In the first stanza, the poet establishes the problem. He tells Anne Gregory that young men who are captivated by her “great honey-coloured / Ramparts” (her beautiful yellow hair) will never love her for her inner self alone. Their love is based on her outward beauty, which is so striking that it overwhelms them and prevents them from seeing beyond the surface.
In the second stanza, Anne offers a solution. She believes that by changing her hair colour — dyeing it brown, black, or carrot — she can remove the superficial attraction and compel young men to love her for her true self. This reflects her strong desire to be valued for her inner qualities rather than her physical appearance. However, there is an irony in her solution, as changing one’s appearance is still a superficial act.
In the final stanza, the poet brings a philosophical and spiritual resolution. He quotes an old religious man who declares that only God can love someone for themselves alone, without being influenced by their appearance. This suggests that the tendency to be attracted to external beauty is a fundamental human limitation. Only divine love is truly unconditional and can see beyond the surface.
Through this poem, Yeats conveys the message that while we should strive to appreciate people for their inner worth, it is an inherently human quality to be influenced by outward appearance. The poem encourages readers to value inner beauty above all else, even though achieving this perfectly may be beyond human nature.
Q2. “Only God can love you for yourself alone and not your yellow hair.” Explain this statement in the context of the poem. Do you agree with the poet’s view?
Ans: This statement is the concluding message of the poem “For Anne Gregory” and carries deep philosophical and spiritual significance. The poet attributes this idea to an old religious man who claims to have found a text proving that only God can love a person purely for who they are, without being influenced by their physical appearance.
In the context of the poem, the poet has been arguing with Anne Gregory about whether young men can love her for her inner self rather than her beautiful yellow hair. Anne believes that by changing her hair colour, she can find someone who loves her genuinely. But the poet counters her argument by saying that it is human nature to be attracted to external beauty. No matter what colour her hair is, people will always be influenced by her outward appearance in some way. Only God, who sees the soul and not the body, can love someone in a truly unconditional manner.
“Yellow hair” in this line is not just about Anne’s hair — it is a symbol for all physical and external attributes that influence human perception. The statement suggests that human love always has some element of physical or superficial attraction mixed into it, whereas divine love is pure and looks only at the soul.
Whether we agree with the poet depends on our perspective. While it is true that physical appearance often plays a role in human attraction, there are many examples of deep, selfless love in the world — such as a parent’s love for a child, or the love of great saints and spiritual leaders who served humanity without regard for appearance. However, the poet’s broader point — that truly unconditional love is rare and difficult for ordinary humans — holds significant truth. The poem encourages us to strive towards loving people for their inner qualities, even if achieving it perfectly is a divine quality.
Q3. How does the poem “For Anne Gregory” present the limitations of human love? Discuss with reference to all three stanzas.
Ans: The poem “For Anne Gregory” systematically builds the argument that human love is limited by its dependence on physical appearance, and this argument develops across all three stanzas.
In the first stanza, the poet directly states the limitation. He tells Anne that no young man who is “thrown into despair” by her beautiful honey-coloured hair will ever love her for herself alone. The young men’s love is triggered by her physical beauty, and they are unable to look beyond it. The use of the word “never” emphasizes the poet’s conviction that this limitation is absolute and unavoidable.
In the second stanza, Anne tries to challenge this limitation by proposing to change her appearance. She suggests dyeing her hair brown, black, or carrot, hoping that this change will force young men to look at her inner self. However, her solution is itself limited because changing one external feature does not address the fundamental problem. Even with different hair colour, her overall appearance will still influence how people perceive her. The irony in her response highlights the difficulty of overcoming this human limitation.
In the third stanza, the poet delivers the final verdict through the words of a religious man. The religious man’s declaration that “only God could love you for yourself alone” confirms that the limitation is not specific to Anne’s situation but is a universal human trait. Human beings are inherently incapable of completely separating their feelings from their perception of physical appearance. Only God, who is above all material considerations, can offer love that is truly unconditional and based entirely on the inner self.
Through these three stanzas, the poem effectively demonstrates that while the desire for genuine love exists (as shown by Anne’s wish), human love remains fundamentally limited by its connection to physical appearance. The poem does not condemn human nature but simply acknowledges this limitation with philosophical grace.
Q4. Critically analyse the poem “For Anne Gregory” as a conversation poem. How does the dialogue format contribute to its meaning?
Ans: “For Anne Gregory” is an excellent example of a conversation poem or dialogue poem. It is structured as a verbal exchange between two speakers — the poet (W.B. Yeats) and the young woman Anne Gregory — with a third voice (the old religious man) introduced indirectly in the final stanza.
The dialogue format is essential to the poem’s meaning because it presents the theme of inner versus outer beauty as a debate rather than a one-sided statement. In the first stanza, the poet puts forward his argument — young men cannot love Anne for herself alone because they are captivated by her yellow hair. This is a bold and somewhat pessimistic claim. If the poem had ended here, it would have been a simple negative statement about human nature.
The second stanza provides Anne’s counter-argument. She challenges the poet by offering a practical solution — dyeing her hair. This response shows that she is not passive; she actively resists the poet’s claim and believes that the problem can be solved. The dialogue creates tension and makes the reader think about whether Anne’s solution would actually work.
The third stanza resolves the debate by introducing the authority of a religious man. The poet does not simply assert his own opinion; he quotes someone else, adding credibility to his argument. The religious man’s declaration that only God can love someone for themselves alone settles the debate in a way that neither dismisses Anne’s desire nor supports the poet’s pessimism entirely — it acknowledges the ideal while stating the human limitation.
The conversational format also makes the poem feel intimate and personal. It is not a grand philosophical treatise but a gentle exchange between two people who care about each other. The use of terms like “my dear” in the final stanza adds warmth and affection. Overall, the dialogue structure transforms a complex philosophical idea into an accessible and engaging poetic experience.
Q5. “If only our eyes saw souls instead of bodies, how different our ideals of beauty would be.” Discuss this statement in the light of the poem “For Anne Gregory.”
Ans: This statement captures the essence of the poem “For Anne Gregory” perfectly. The poem by W.B. Yeats is fundamentally about the contrast between what our eyes see (physical beauty) and what truly matters (the soul or inner self of a person).
In the poem, the poet tells Anne Gregory that young men are captivated by her “great honey-coloured ramparts” — her beautiful yellow hair. Their eyes see her physical beauty, and they fall “into despair” because of it. They cannot look beyond her appearance to appreciate her true self. This perfectly illustrates the statement — because human eyes see bodies, human ideals of beauty are based on physical attributes like hair colour, facial features, and outward charm.
Anne’s response — that she would dye her hair to change how she looks — shows her frustration with this reality. She wishes people could see her soul rather than her body. If eyes could see souls, she would not need to change her hair colour because people would already appreciate her for her inner qualities, kindness, intelligence, and character.
The old religious man’s declaration that only God can love someone for themselves alone reinforces this idea. God is the only being whose “eyes” see souls rather than bodies. For God, physical appearance is irrelevant — what matters is the person’s inner worth. If human beings had this same ability, our entire concept of beauty would be transformed. We would admire people for their compassion, wisdom, integrity, and kindness rather than their physical features.
In today’s world, where social media and advertising constantly promote superficial beauty standards, the poem’s message is more relevant than ever. The statement and the poem both remind us that true beauty lies within, and we should strive to look beyond appearances to appreciate the real worth of the people around us.
Q6. Compare the perspectives of the three speakers in the poem “For Anne Gregory.” Whose view do you find most convincing and why?
Ans: The poem “For Anne Gregory” presents three distinct perspectives on love and beauty through its three speakers.
The first speaker (the poet) is pragmatic and somewhat pessimistic. He tells Anne that young men will never love her for herself alone because they are captivated by her beautiful yellow hair. His perspective is based on observation of human nature — he has seen how people are drawn to physical beauty, and he believes this is an unchangeable fact. His view is realistic but somewhat discouraging.
The second speaker (Anne Gregory) is idealistic and hopeful. She refuses to accept the poet’s claim and offers a practical solution — dyeing her hair. She believes that by changing her appearance, she can find someone who loves her for who she truly is. Her perspective shows courage, self-respect, and a strong desire for genuine love. However, her solution is somewhat naive because changing one external feature does not address the deeper issue of human nature.
The third voice (the old religious man, quoted by the poet) provides the most philosophical and authoritative view. He declares that only God can love someone for themselves alone. His perspective transcends both the poet’s pessimism and Anne’s optimism by acknowledging the human limitation while pointing to a higher ideal of divine, unconditional love.
The religious man’s view is the most convincing because it is balanced and profound. It does not deny the desire for genuine love (as Anne expresses) nor does it simply dismiss human nature (as the poet does). Instead, it acknowledges that while unconditional love is the highest ideal, it is beyond ordinary human capability. This view is both honest and hopeful — it accepts human limitations while reminding us of the divine standard we should aspire to.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Q1. Who is the poet of “For Anne Gregory”?
(a) Robert Frost
(b) John Keats
(c) William Butler Yeats
(d) Walt Whitman
Ans: (c) William Butler Yeats
Q2. What colour is Anne Gregory’s hair described as in the poem?
(a) Brown
(b) Black
(c) Red
(d) Honey-coloured (yellow)
Ans: (d) Honey-coloured (yellow)
Q3. What does the word “ramparts” mean in the poem?
(a) A type of flower
(b) Defensive walls of a fort
(c) A kind of jewellery
(d) A musical instrument
Ans: (b) Defensive walls of a fort
Q4. What does Anne Gregory propose to do to make young men love her for herself?
(a) Change her name
(b) Move to another city
(c) Dye her hair a different colour
(d) Stop meeting young men
Ans: (c) Dye her hair a different colour
Q5. Which hair colours does Anne mention she can dye her hair to?
(a) Red, white, and blue
(b) Brown, black, or carrot
(c) Golden, silver, or bronze
(d) Pink, purple, or green
Ans: (b) Brown, black, or carrot
Q6. According to the poem, who alone can love Anne for herself?
(a) A young man
(b) The poet
(c) Her parents
(d) Only God
Ans: (d) Only God
Q7. What does “yesternight” mean?
(a) Tomorrow night
(b) Last night
(c) Every night
(d) This night
Ans: (b) Last night
Q8. The literary device used in “honey-coloured ramparts” is:
(a) Simile
(b) Personification
(c) Metaphor
(d) Onomatopoeia
Ans: (c) Metaphor
Q9. How many stanzas does the poem have?
(a) Two
(b) Three
(c) Four
(d) Five
Ans: (b) Three
Q10. What is the rhyme scheme of the poem?
(a) AABBCC
(b) ABABAB
(c) ABCBDB
(d) AABCCB
Ans: (c) ABCBDB
Q11. What is the central theme of the poem?
(a) The importance of wealth in love
(b) Outer beauty vs. inner beauty
(c) The beauty of nature
(d) The power of education
Ans: (b) Outer beauty vs. inner beauty
Q12. What did the old religious man find?
(a) A magic spell
(b) A hidden treasure
(c) A text to prove only God can love unconditionally
(d) A cure for despair
Ans: (c) A text to prove only God can love unconditionally
Extract-Based Questions
Extract 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.”
(a) Who is the speaker in these lines? Who is being addressed?
Ans: The speaker is the poet, William Butler Yeats (or a young man). He is addressing Anne Gregory, the granddaughter of Lady Augusta Gregory.
(b) What does “honey-coloured ramparts” refer to?
Ans: “Honey-coloured ramparts” is a metaphor that refers to Anne Gregory’s beautiful golden yellow hair that falls around her ears like the defensive walls (ramparts) of a fort. The hair is compared to fortress walls because it acts as a barrier, preventing young men from seeing her true inner self.
(c) Why are young men “thrown into despair”?
Ans: Young men are “thrown into despair” because they are overwhelmed by Anne’s stunning physical beauty, particularly her beautiful yellow hair. They fall hopelessly in love with her appearance and experience intense longing and frustration because their love is based on something superficial rather than on her true self.
(d) What literary device is used in “honey-coloured ramparts”?
Ans: The literary device used is Metaphor. Anne’s hair is compared to the walls (ramparts) of a fort without using “like” or “as.” It is also an example of Imagery, as “honey-coloured” creates a vivid visual picture of the golden shade of her hair.
Extract 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.”
(a) Who is the speaker in these lines?
Ans: The speaker in these lines is Anne Gregory. She is responding to the poet’s claim that young men can never love her for her inner self alone.
(b) What solution does the speaker propose?
Ans: Anne proposes to dye her hair a different colour — brown, black, or carrot (reddish-orange). She believes that by changing her hair colour, she can remove the superficial attraction and make young men love her for her true self rather than her beautiful yellow hair.
(c) What does “carrot” refer to here?
Ans: “Carrot” refers to a reddish-orange hair colour, named after the colour of a carrot vegetable. It is used as a metonymy where the name of the vegetable represents a particular shade of colour. Anne lists it as one of the alternative colours she could dye her hair.
(d) What does this stanza reveal about Anne’s character?
Ans: This stanza reveals that Anne is a strong-willed and self-respecting young woman who desires genuine love. She does not want to be valued merely for her physical appearance. She is willing to change her looks to find someone who appreciates her inner qualities. It shows her idealism, confidence, and belief that true love should be based on a person’s character rather than their outward beauty.
Extract 3
“I heard an old religious man
But yesternight declare
That he had found a text to prove
That only God, my dear,
Could love you for yourself alone
And not your yellow hair.”
(a) Who heard the old religious man? What did the old man declare?
Ans: The poet (W.B. Yeats) heard the old religious man. The old man declared that he had found a passage in a religious text that proves that only God can love a person purely for who they are (for themselves alone) and not for their physical appearance (yellow hair).
(b) What is the significance of the “text” mentioned by the religious man?
Ans: The “text” refers to a passage from a religious scripture or holy book. Its significance lies in the fact that it provides scriptural authority to the idea that unconditional love — love based purely on a person’s inner self — is a divine quality. By citing a religious text, the old man adds spiritual weight and credibility to the argument, making it a universal truth rather than just a personal opinion.
(c) What does “my dear” suggest about the poet’s attitude towards Anne?
Ans: The phrase “my dear” suggests that the poet’s attitude towards Anne is warm, affectionate, and gentle. He is not being harsh or critical; rather, he is sharing this wisdom with her in a caring and tender manner. It shows that the poet regards Anne with fondness and that his words are meant as friendly advice from someone who genuinely cares about her well-being.
(d) How does this stanza conclude the poem’s argument?
Ans: This stanza concludes the poem’s argument by providing a definitive answer to the debate between the poet and Anne Gregory. While the poet claimed that no young man could love Anne for herself alone, and Anne proposed changing her appearance as a solution, the religious man settles the matter by declaring that only God possesses the ability to love unconditionally. This conclusion acknowledges that while Anne’s desire for genuine love is noble, it is beyond human capability to completely separate love from physical attraction. The stanza elevates the discussion to a spiritual level and ends the poem on a note of philosophical wisdom.
Literary Devices Used in the Poem
The poem “For Anne Gregory” by W.B. Yeats employs several literary and poetic devices that enhance its meaning and beauty:
1. Metaphor
Example: “great honey-coloured / Ramparts at your ear”
Explanation: Anne’s hair is compared to the defensive walls (ramparts) of a fort without using “like” or “as.” Just as ramparts protect and hide what is inside a fortress, Anne’s beautiful hair hides her true inner self and prevents people from seeing beyond her physical appearance. This is the most significant metaphor in the poem.
2. Synecdoche
Example: “yellow hair”
Explanation: “Yellow hair” is used to represent Anne’s entire physical beauty and outward appearance. A single part (hair) stands for the whole (her complete appearance). Throughout the poem, the yellow hair symbolizes all external attributes that attract people.
3. Alliteration
Examples:
- “set such” — repetition of the ‘s’ sound
- “your yellow” — repetition of the ‘y’ sound
- “he had” — repetition of the ‘h’ sound
- “myself” and “my” — repetition of the ‘m’ sound
Explanation: Alliteration is the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of closely placed words. It creates rhythm, musical quality, and emphasizes certain words in the poem.
4. Hyperbole
Example: “Thrown into despair”
Explanation: This is an exaggeration used to emphasize the intense effect of Anne’s beauty on young men. The phrase suggests that they are completely overwhelmed and driven to hopelessness by her appearance, which is an exaggerated way of saying they are deeply attracted to her.
5. Imagery
Example: “great honey-coloured / Ramparts at your ear”
Explanation: The phrase creates a vivid visual image in the reader’s mind. “Honey-coloured” paints a picture of warm, golden hair, and “ramparts at your ear” helps the reader visualize the hair falling in thick, wall-like strands around Anne’s ears. This imagery makes the description concrete and memorable.
6. Anaphora
Example: “That he had found…” / “That only God…”
Explanation: Anaphora is the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive lines or clauses. The repetition of “That” in the final stanza creates emphasis and builds towards the poem’s climactic conclusion.
7. Metonymy
Example: “carrot”
Explanation: The word “carrot” is used to represent a reddish-orange colour. Instead of directly naming the colour, the poet uses the name of a vegetable that is associated with that colour. This is metonymy — using the name of something associated with the intended meaning.
8. Rhyme Scheme
Pattern: ABCBDB (consistent across all three stanzas)
Explanation: The rhyme scheme follows a pattern where the 2nd, 4th, and 6th lines of each stanza rhyme with each other (despair/ear/hair in stanza 1; there/despair/hair in stanza 2; declare/dear/hair in stanza 3). The word “hair” appears as the final rhyme in every stanza, reinforcing its central importance to the poem’s theme.
9. Irony
Example: Anne’s proposal to dye her hair
Explanation: There is situational irony in Anne’s suggestion. She wants to be loved for her inner self rather than her appearance, but her solution — changing her hair colour — is still a change in external appearance. She is trying to solve the problem of superficiality with another superficial change, which is ironic.
10. Refrain
Example: “for yourself alone / And not your yellow hair” (repeated with variations in all three stanzas)
Explanation: The recurring phrase about being loved “for yourself alone” and “not your yellow hair” acts as a refrain that reinforces the poem’s central theme. Its repetition in each stanza emphasizes the ongoing struggle between inner worth and outer beauty.
Important Points to Remember
- The poem is written by William Butler Yeats, an Irish Nobel Prize-winning poet.
- It is addressed to Anne Gregory, the granddaughter of Lady Augusta Gregory.
- The poem is a dialogue between the poet and Anne Gregory, consisting of three stanzas of six lines each.
- The central theme is inner beauty vs. outer beauty and the nature of unconditional love.
- “Yellow hair” symbolizes external beauty and physical attractiveness.
- “Ramparts” is a metaphor comparing Anne’s hair to fortress walls.
- Anne wants to dye her hair brown, black, or carrot to find genuine love.
- The poem concludes that only God can love unconditionally — for a person’s true self alone.
- The rhyme scheme is ABCBDB throughout.
- Key literary devices include metaphor, synecdoche, alliteration, hyperbole, imagery, anaphora, irony, and refrain.
We hope these questions and answers for Class 10 English First Flight Poem 11 – For Anne Gregory have been helpful for your HSLC exam preparation. If you have any questions or need further clarification on any answer, feel free to leave a comment below. For more ASSEB Class 10 study materials, visit hslcguru.com.