Summary of the poem For Anne Gregory

For Anne Gregory by William Butler Yeats is a thoughtful poem that explores the theme of true love and physical beauty. The poem is presented as a conversation between a young man and Anne Gregory. The young man says that people are attracted to Anne because of her beautiful yellow hair and that no young man can love her only for her inner qualities. Anne replies that she can easily change the colour of her hair and hopes that then people will love her for who she really is. However, the poem concludes with the idea, expressed by an old religious man, that only God can love a person completely for their inner self without being influenced by outward appearance. Through this conversation, Yeats highlights the difference between external beauty and inner beauty and suggests that while human beings are often attracted by physical charm, true and unconditional love is rare and belongs only to God.