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About this quote

What does it mean?
A young man is being taken to prison simply for having a certain hair color.
In plain terms
Someone is arrested just for the color of his hair.
What can you take from it?
People can be punished for trivial or superficial traits.

Where it applies

  • minority rights
  • arrests
  • social bias

Putting it to work

  • stand against unjust punishment
  • notice superficial bias

Questions to consider

  • What harmless traits have been used to judge or punish?
  • How do you react to unfair treatment?

Another view

The poem is likely metaphorical rather than a literal case.

More from A. E. Housman

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