Question 10 of 13intermediate💡 UnderstandShort Answer2 marks

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?

Correct Answer

By "great honey-coloured / Ramparts at your ear," the young man refers to the young woman's beautiful yellow hair. The word ramparts compares her hair to the broad walls of a fort, emphasizing how her hair frames her face and acts as a striking barrier.

He says young men are "thrown into despair" by her hair because they are so mesmerized by her physical beauty that they cannot see beyond it. They despair because they realize they will never be able to love her for herself alone, but only for her attractive yellow hair.

Exercise: Thinking about the Poem - For Anne Gregory | Q: 1 | (Page 9)
For More Understanding

Explanation

The question tests the student's understanding of poetic devices and the central theme of the poem 'For Anne Gregory'. The young man uses the metaphor of 'ramparts' to describe Anne's yellow hair, suggesting it acts like a wall that overshadows her true identity. The 'despair' arises from the tragic realization that physical attraction prevents young men from loving her for her inner self, a theme Yeats explores throughout the poem.

Solution Steps

  1. Step 1: Identify what 'honey-coloured ramparts' refers to (the woman's yellow hair).

  2. Step 2: Explain the metaphor of 'ramparts' (walls framing the face, acting as a barrier).

  3. Step 3: Explain the reason for 'despair' (men are distracted by physical beauty and cannot love her inner self).

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