Introduction: For Anne Gregory - Class 10 PDF Download

About the Author- William Butler Yeats
William Butler Yeats – A Short Biography

ABOUT THE POET

William Butler Yeats was an Irish poet and nationalist. He was born in Dublin. His ideas and works were influenced by the religious and national turmoil in Ireland. He loved the Irish folklore. He embraced metaphysical philosophy. Folklore and mysticism dominated his thoughts and poetry. He won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1923.

INTRODUCTION

For Anne Gregory’ is one of the best love poems by William Butler Yeats. In this poem, the love between a man and a woman is presented. Love is done by the core of one’s heart. It does not matter a little on love if the colour of the hair or skin changes. The poet is in deep love for Anne Gregory and wants to love her in all forms.

Central Idea of the Poem

Yeats is of the view that most people love others just because they attract them physically. The complexion of the skin and the colour of the hair are more important for us than the ‘real’ worth of a person. We rarely love people ‘for themselves alone’. Even the beautiful Anne Gregory is not liked or loved for her inner beauty or her rare qualities of head and heart, but for her beautiful yellow hair. Shallow minded people adore only physical beauty. We should look for spiritual beauty before falling in love with a lady. Physical beauty is just skin-deep. It is momentary. Unfortunately, most of the people are attracted by the colour of the skin and hair. Only God can love a person for himself alone.

Word-Meaning

Never shall— will never, Thrown into despair— disappointed in love, sighing in despair, Honey-coloured— yellowish, blonde, Ramparts— outer walls around a castle. Love you for yourself alone— loves you on merit, loves you for your real self. Hair-dye— dye for colouring hair, Carrot— (here) of carrot’s colour, Despair— disappointment, Myself alone— judge her on her qualities, Yesternight— yesterday night. Declare— to announce, Text— a quotation, Prove— to demonstrate truth by evidence or argument, Yourself alone— as you are, good or bad