RAIN ON THE ROOF
Thinking about the Poem
Question 1. What do the following phrases mean to you? Discuss in class.
(i) humid shadows
(ii) starry spheres
(iii) what a bliss
(iv) a thousand dreamy fancies into busy being start
(v) a thousand recollections weave their air-threads into woof
Answer:
(i) humid shadows: humid shadows refer to the dark clouds that cover the sky and bring rain
(ii) starry spheres: it refers to the sky that is usually full of stars
(iii) what a bliss: bliss means happiness. Here the poet says that it is such a happy moment when
one
listens to the patter of the rain overhead.
(iv) a thousand dreamy fancies into busy being start: It refers to the several thoughts and fantasies
that
surround the poet when he listens to the patter of the rain.
(v) a thousand recollections weave their air-threads into woof- it means that poet feels as if his old
memories are being woven in front of him.
Question 2. What does the poet like to do when it rains?
Answer: The poet likes to press his head into the pillow of his cottage chamber bed and listen to
the
patter of the soft rain overhead.
Question 3. What is the single major memory that comes to the poet? Who are the “darling
dreamers”
he refers to?
Answer: The single major memory that comes to the poet is of his mother and her fond look on
the
poet.
Darling dreamers that the poet refers to are the poet and his siblings who were sent to sleep by
the
poet’s mother every day.
Question 4. Is the poet now a child? Is his mother still alive?
Answer: No, the poet is now a grown up man. His mother is not alive anymore
Short Answer Type Questions
Question 1. Write the central theme of the poem ‘Rain on the Roof.
Answer
The central idea or theme of the poem “Rain on the Roof’ is that the
pattering of the rain on the roof gives the poet solace and he is lost in
many fancies. He dreams of his mother, who loved him dearly. The rain
provides him with great happiness.
What is a ‘bliss’ for the poet in the poem ‘Rain on the Roof?
Answer
The poet thinks it is blissful to lie in his cozy bed with his head on the
pillow and listen to the sound of rain falling on the shingles of the roof.
He enjoys the music of nature which arouses fantasies and memories in
his mind.
Question 1. Do you think the poet is praising the healing power of rain in
the poem ‘Rain on the Roof?
Answer
As the poet lies in his bed, looking at the dark clouds gathered, he first is
filled with feelings of gloom and unhappiness. He feels the clouds are
weeping and the rain is the tears of these gloomy clouds. However, as he
lies snug in bed, listening to the sound of rain, his gloom is lifted and his
mind is filled with fantasies and fond memories. This rain and its sound
resurrect the fondest memory of the poet—that of his mother—in his
mind. As the rain continues, the poet tries to recollect all that caused him
pain, yet simultaneously lifts his spirits. The rain has thus brought
comfort to him.
What is the effect of the sound of the rain on the heart and mind of the
poet?
Answer
The poet’s heart and mind react strongly to the sound of the rain falling
on the roof. He is in a blissful mood as he enjoys the comfort of his
bedroom, leisurely listening to the music of the rain. The music stirs a
corresponding echo in the heart of the poet. His heartbeat responds to
the sound of the rain by its rhythmic throbbing. He gets engrossed in
fanciful, dreamy thoughts.
Moreover, the rain awakens many memories of the past. Particularly, it
revives the memory of his mother as she looked at her children very
affectionately before she went to sleep in her room. He recollects the
fond, affectionate look of his mother which she cast on him. Thus, the
poet’s mind and heart respond sensitively to the soft pattering sound of
the rain falling on the roof.
