Read the given extract.
Fill the blank with one word. When the poet says that he had found a text to prove, he means that he had found a __________ , as a source of authority.
Answer as written by the student:
The poet means that he had found a scripture as a source of authority.
Step-by-step explanation of the answer:
- First, let’s see what is the context of this poem. This poem is written by William Butler Yeats, a famous Irish poet and Nobel laureate. The poem is addressed to Anne Gregory, a young woman who was his friend and admirer. The poem is about the theme of love and beauty, and how they are perceived by different people.
- In the poem, Anne Gregory complains that no one loves her for herself alone, but only for her yellow hair. She says that she will dye her hair to please her lovers. The poet replies that he had found a text to prove that only God can love her for herself alone, and not her yellow hair.
- One word that can describe such a text is scripture. Scripture is a sacred or religious text that contains the teachings or beliefs of a faith or tradition. For example, the Bible, the Quran, the Vedas, etc. are scriptures of different religions.
- The poet uses the word “scripture” to imply that he has found a divine or spiritual source of authority that supports his claim that only God can love Anne Gregory for herself alone. He also uses the word “scripture” to contrast with the human or worldly views of love and beauty that Anne Gregory’s lovers have. He suggests that human love is superficial and conditional, while God’s love is pure and unconditional.