Saturday 23 June 2018
INTRODUCTION
When the sky is covered with dark clouds and it starts raining, everybody feels thrilled. One wishes to lie in a cosy bed and thousands of fancies rush through his mind. It is most joyful to enjoy listening the music of the pattering sound of the rain-drops on the shingles of the roof. The poet expresses his
love for nature and its beauty.
This lyrical poem “Rain on the Roof” by Coates Kinney presents the memories aroused in the poet’s mind by the showers falling on the tin roof. Through a number of metaphors, the poet shows that the drops of rain falling on the shingles of the roof sends a train of thoughts running in his mind. He is reminded of the way his mother used to bid him and his siblings a good night and put them to sleep. The poet connects his present with his past through the memories revived by the rain.
Theme
The theme of the poem is the healing power of rain. The musical sound of raindrops falling on rooftop at night has the ability to revive sweet memories and rouse fancies in an otherwise busy mind. The rain thus soothes and comforts an overworked mind by taking it back to its lovely past. Some of our best memories in life are associated with rain.
TITLE
The very title, with a repetition of the sounds ‘r’ and ‘n’ and the long vowels ‘ai’ and ‘oo’ imitates the rhythmic pitter-patter of rain on a tin roof. Article ‘the’ before the word ‘roof’ makes it a specific roof – the roof of the poet’s house. Thus, the title is very apt as it is suggestive of the childhood memories the poet has of rain. The rain has a magic like effect on him every time it falls on his room, and lying lazily in his room, he listens to the sheer music of the rain. It triggers ‘a thousand dreamy fancies’ in his mind and thousands of memories come alive. In particular, the memory of the poet’s mother putting her children to sleep at night is indelible in his mind. Every time it rains, the poet relives the golden moments of his childhood. Thus, the title of the poem can be termed
very appropriate.
SUMMARY
The poet observes that when the starry sky is overcast with rain bearing clouds, the sad darkness is filled with rain drops which are like gentle tears. It is a very pleasant, comforting, and thrilling experience to lie in one’s room with the head pressed on the pillow, and listen to the sound of the raindrops falling on the tin roof overhead.
Every drop of rain falling on the roof makes a tinkling sound that moves the poet’s heart. These sounds rouse a number of imaginary things in the thoughts of an otherwise busy poet. The soft pitter-patter of the falling rain-drops also revives many childhood memories.
Among these memories, there is one about his mother. He recollects how she used to look at her dear children as she put them to sleep and wished them to have sweet dreams till they met again early in the morning. As the poet listens to the music made by the rain falling on the roof, he visualizes in his mind the affectionate look of his mother. Thus, the rain makes a bridge between his present and his past.
MESSAGE
The poem conveys the message that rain has therapeutic and healing powers and forms lasting memories in human mind of the sights, sound, fragrances and our experience.
NCERT QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS
Thinking about the Poem
I. 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:
1. (i) “Humid shadows” refer to the dark clouds that produce rain.
(ii) “Starry spheres” refer to the night sky abounding in stars.
(iii) “What a bliss” refers to the happiness of the poet. When it rains poet gets into his
cottage and enjoy the patter of rain upon the roof.
(iv) This refers to the various imaginary thoughts and fantasies that are aroused in the
poet’s mind.
(v) This phrase means that numerous memories intermingle to form a beautiful picture that
the poet recollects.
2. What does the poet like to do when it rains?
Answer: When it rains, the poet feels delighted to lie with his head pressed against the pillow of his cottage chamber bed and listen to the patter of the soft rain.
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 that of his mother and her fond look.
The “darling dreamers” are the poet and his siblings in their childhood when they were lovingly put to sleep by their mother.
4. Is the poet now a child? Is his mother still alive?
Answer: No, the poet is not a child now. He is a grown up man. He remembers her when he is inside his cosy cottage and enjoy the pattern of rain on the roof.
( To be Continued)
