‘For Anne Gregory’ Poem Textbook solutions of Class 10 NCERT English book ‘First Flight’ are given here. All answers are drafted as per the Board exam requirements. For more such materials click here.
Textbook Solutions
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?
Answer: The young man in the poem praises the great honey-coloured hair of Anne. Anne’s hair has been called rampart, meaning a wall. It is called so because they act as a wall, as they prevent young men from looking beyond those yellow hair and into her soul. Her hair is so attractive that young men cannot look at anything else. Anne’s yellow hair is so pretty that young men hopelessly fall in love with her and feel despair or are thrown into despair because they are attracted to Anne and want her which is not possible. Here comes another despairing element as It is not possible that someone would love her alone and not her yellow hair.
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: The colour of the young woman’s hair is like that of honey. She says that she can change it to black, brown or even carrot colour. In short, Anne can change her hair to any colour. Anne wanted to show that outer beauty is changeable and not at all permanent. She wants men to fall for her not because of her looks but because of her inner beauty. For this, she has to show them the temporariness of her outer beauty.
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 on?
Answer: The objects are desired by people just because of the qualities possessed by them. Things like automobiles, mobile phones, and mansions are a few things that attract us. We look at things which are durable as well as pretty while buying. For example, if I were to sell a dress, I would go for the one that is pretty and looks good on all body types. After that, I will emphasise its durability and cost. When all aspects of a product are suitable for the customer, only then does he/she agree to spend the money on that product.
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 new-born 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.
Answer: (Students are advised to answer this question on their own). A few pointers: Though some people go for looks, it’s better to go for mental qualities like kindness, and open-mindedness. We should always try to love a person for themselves and not for their material possessions.
Here is an answer for you
We certainly love others because we like their qualities, whether these qualities are physical or mental? It is rarely possible to love someone for themselves alone’. In this category, we can place a Newborn baby, a brother, or a sister or a mentally and physically challenged child. But generally, we love people for the qualities they possess. But there is no doubt that physical appearance also counts as, for example, in the case of film stars.
Another answer for you
The same thing is for people. Sometimes we love others because we like their qualities in their physical and mental capacities and capabilities.
Yes, it is possible to love someone “for themselves alone”
Yes, some people are ‘more loveable’ than others It depends on the person’s views and perceptions and likings.
The points given above may carry different thoughts. It depends on the person’s individual opinions. The person may get love in return also i.e. his or her love is reciprocated.
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: (Students are advised to answer this question on their own).
A few pointers: It is always better to love a person for their own unique qualities. It is also equally important not to emphasise external appearances
Here is an answer for you
W.B. Yeats has asked the question in the concluding part of his poem “Among School Children”. ‘How can we know a dancer, from the dance?’ That is to say, a dancer, while he is dancing, cannot be separated from his dance. Similarly, we cannot separate a person himself or herself from how the person looks, sounds walks, and so on. We look at the personality of a person as a whole. It cannot be compartmentalised. Our relationship with a friend or member or our family will naturally change if the person has changed.
Another answer for you
We can separate the dancer from the dance by loving the dancer for herself and not for the dancing qualities.
Yes, it is possible to separate ‘the person himself or herself’ from how the person looks, sounds, walks and so on. But nowadays people love their physical or mental qualities.
My friend has changed over the years. It is because of his observation. And now my relationship has also changed. So, the person should be loved for himself alone.
