NCERT Solutions Class 10 English First Flight Chapter 8 Poem – For Anne Gregory: The poem For Anne Gregory by W. H. Auden explores the idea that true love is not based on physical beauty or appearance but on deeper qualities like character, values, and inner charm.
The poet addresses Anne Gregory, emphasising that love rooted in superficial attributes, such as hair, eyes, or physical appearance, is shallow and fleeting. He conveys that lasting affection comes from appreciating a person’s inner self rather than external appearances.
The For Anne Gregory Class 10 solutions help students understand important literary elements such as theme, tone, and poetic devices like irony and contrast, which Auden uses to highlight the difference between superficial and genuine love.
Studying this chapter also aligns with the Class 10 syllabus, enabling learners to analyse character perspectives, interpret poetry effectively, and prepare confidently for exams. The poem encourages students to reflect on human values, making it both educational and meaningful.
For Anne Gregory Class 10 Summary
For Anne Gregory class 10 by W. H. Auden is a short poem that conveys the poet’s view on true love. The poet tells Anne Gregory that love should not be based on outward beauty or physical appearance, such as hair, eyes, or looks, because these are temporary and superficial. Instead, genuine love grows from inner qualities like character, values, and personality.
Through simple yet thoughtful language, the poem highlights the difference between shallow attraction and meaningful affection.
It teaches Class 10 students that lasting relationships are built on understanding and appreciating a person’s inner self rather than just external beauty. The poem’s moral is relevant to life and helps students analyze themes, tone, and poetic techniques for exams.
Class 10 English for Anne Gregory Question Answer
For Anne Gregory Class 10 Questions and Answers help students understand the poem’s theme, tone, and poetic devices clearly. These question–answers explain the difference between superficial and true love, making it easier for Class 10 students to frame exam-ready answers.
Class 10 for Anne Gregory Question Answer
Question 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:
In the poem, the young man admires Anne’s “great honey-coloured hair / Ramparts at Anne’s ear,” referring to her lovely golden hair that falls gracefully behind her ear like a wall. Her beauty captivates everyone, and young men fall hopelessly in love with her. Because she is so charming and desired by all, they are left in a state of despair, unable to win her affection.
Question 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’s hair is golden, resembling honey. She mentions that she could dye it black, brown, or carrot-coloured, showing that outward beauty is changeable and not permanent. Through this, she urges young men to look beyond her appearance and appreciate her for her inner qualities rather than superficial looks.
Question 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:
There are various objects that have qualities in our lives that make them desirable to others. Check the list below:
| Object | Qualities |
| Car | Colour, speed, fuel efficiency, brand |
| Dress | Pattern, colour, material, fit |
| Phone | Brand, technology, user-friendliness, memory, price |
| Bag | Design, colour, brand, price, style |
While selling an object, a person should emphasise the different features of the product and also help the buyer identify how it is better than other products in the market. Students can also add some points on their own to understand how best an object can be sold to a customer.
Question 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.
Answer:
Every person has his/her own choices, likes and dislikes. Students are advised to answer the question based on their interpretation and personal experience. As humans, we all have our personal favourites based on our perceptions and situation in life. It is, therefore, not wrong to like some people more than others.
- A parent or caregiver’s love for a newborn, a mentally or physically challenged child, or a gifted child shows their care, attentiveness, and concern.
- The public’s admiration for a film star, sportsperson, politician, or social worker reflects respect and awe for their personality.
- Love for a friend or sibling demonstrates compassion, empathy, and a sense of togetherness.
- The bond between a person and their pet shows unconditional and selfless love shared mutually.
Question 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 can write this answer as per their personal experiences. It is recommended that they think about their family and friends and attempt this question based on their interpretation and personal experiences.
Here are some hints that may help you:
- Take a moment to reflect on a friend or family member and consider whether you value them for who they are or mainly for their physical appearance.
- Everyone’s thinking evolves with age, and it’s important to assess whether your perspective has improved, stayed the same, or worsened over time.
- Each person is unique, and we should accept them as they are instead of criticizing them.
- It is natural for our feelings and love for others to change over time.
- We should avoid judging people by their looks and instead appreciate their positive qualities.