You perhaps think 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?
Model Answer & Options
Source: TextbookIt’s true that people should not be valued only for their looks or possessions, but in real life, it’s hard to fully separate a person from how they appear, speak, or act. As Yeats suggests—“How can we separate the dancer from the dance?”—a person’s personality is often expressed through their voice, gestures, and appearance. For example, my relationship with my elder cousin has changed over the years. As a child, I admired her for her style and beauty. But as we both grew older, I came to appreciate her kindness, support, and strength. Her looks changed, but my respect for her deepened because I began to understand her true self. So, while appearances may attract us initially, lasting relationships are built on understanding the person beyond the surface. In the end, the “dance” is part of who the “dancer” is, but not the only part that matters.
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