Rain on the roof

Short answers

1. What is ‘a bliss’ for the poet in the poem Rain on the Roof?
Answer:
The poet loves rain as it brings his memories back. He thinks it is a bliss to hear the
patter of the rain on the roof. When it rains, he lies in his cosy bed and enjoys the
melodies of nature. The tinkling of rain gives him immense pleasure. It’s a bliss for
him.

2 What does the poet dream of?

Answer:
The poet dreams of his childhood days. He is lost in reveries. He recalls his
mother’s face. He feels as if his mother was fondly looking at him. He
remembers how lovingly his mother used to tell him stories. His mind is flooded
with thousands of memories.

3.“When the humid shadows hover over all the starry spheres.” What does the
‘shadows’ stand for? What does the poet want to convey?
Answer:
The humid shadows stand for the dark clouds. The poet imagines that the sky is full of
stars and it was suddenly covered with the dark and humid clouds.
4. ‘And the melancholy darkness gently weeps in rainy tears.’ What does the
melancholy darkness mean and what does it do?
Answer:
The melancholy darkness stands for the clouds. The poet imagines that the clouds
covering the sky are in the state of depression. The poet further imagines that the
clouds are weeping in a gentle manner and their tears are falling down as rain drops.

5.How does the poet describe the falling rain in the poem ‘Rain on the Roof?
Answer:
The poet describes the falling rain as ‘the melancholy darkness gently weeps in
rainy tears’. The falling of rain creates pleasant sound and provides immense
pleasure. The poet loves to hear the melody of nature. He listens to the patter of
soft rain on the wooden roof and is lost in reveries. He considers it a rare
happiness to listen to the patter of the rain on the roof.

6.“And a thousand dreamy fancies into busy heart.” When does the ‘thousand
dreamy fancies’ begin in the poet’s heart?
Answer:
When it rains, the poet gets into the cosy cottage. He lies in his bed and listens
to the patter of soft rain on the roof. He enjoys the melody of nature. While
listening to the sound of rain, his mind is flooded with memories. A thousand
dreamy fancies flood his mind.
7.‘Now in memory comes my mother.’ When does the poet remember his mother?
What does it show about him?
Answer:
When the poet is in his cosy cottage and enjoys the melody of nature, many
childhood memories emerge in his mind. The most touching image that comes to his
mind, is of his mother. He remembers her and revives her old memories.

‘8.As I list to this refrain.’ Which kind of refrain is the poet referring to?
Answer:
The poet remembers his childhood days while remembering his mother. The kind
of refrain he refers to is the repetition of the sound of raindrops

9.How does the poet describe the sky before the rain falls ? (SA-1, DDE-
2014)
Answer:
There were dark clouds hovering around in the sky. They hid the stars
with darkness all around. The poet compares the darkness with sadness,
as these humid shadows gently weep which pours down rainy tears.
10.Do you think that the poem, Rain on the Roof, is lauding the healing power of nature’s
rain ?
Answer:
The poet is appreciatingrain, especially when he hears it from a cozy bed in a lovely “cottage.
This rain and its sound have resurrected the fondest memory of the poet’s mother in his
mind. As the rain continues, the poet tries to recollect all that caused him pain, yet at the
same time lifted his spirits.

11.What does the each sound of shingle create ?

Answer:
Every raindrop on the tiles of the roof creates a rhythm with the poet’s heartbeat.
This evokes thousands of dreams making his thoughts busy. While he focuses on the
listening to the pitter- patter on the roof, his mind starts weaving recollections of
fond memories of yesteryears.

12.Who all does the poet remember while listening to the rain ?
Answer:
The poet remembers his mother who use to put him to bed every night and then used
to look at him lovingly while he slept. He also remembers his angelic sister who died
early. He also remembers the young girl whom the poet had admired at some point of
time in-his life.
 Read the following extracts carefully and answer the questions that follow :

Question 1.
When the humid shadows hover
Over all the starry spheres
And the melancholy darkness
Gently weeps in rainy tears,
What a bliss to press the pillow
Of a cottage-chamber bed
And lie listening to the patter
Of the soft rain overhead!

(a) ‘Humid shadows’ in the first line refers to the ………….. which are laden with water.

(b) In the above lines, rain has been compared to………….

(c) At the time of rainfall, the poet feels it to be a blessing to lie down in his bed
and listen to the falling rain. (True/False)

(d) The word in the above lines that means the same as ‘sad’ is
Question 2.

Every tinkle on the shingles

Has an echo in the heart;
And a thousand dreamy fancies
Into busy being start,
And a thousand recollections
Weave their air-threads into woof,
As I listen to the patter
Of the rain upon the roof.

(a) Every light ringing sound on his roof has …………..

(b) The poet recollects many while listening to the patter of rain.

(c) In general ‘busy being’ refers to the animals. (True/False)

(d) The word in the above stanza which means the same as ‘imaginations’ is
……………
Now in memory comes my mother,
As she used in years agone,
o regard the darling dreamers
re she left them till the dawn:
O! I feel her fond look on me
As I list to this refrain
Which is played upon the shingles
By the patter of the rain.
a) In the above stanza, the poet is dreaming of……………

b) The poet still feels that his mother is …………..

(c) The poet’s mother has already left for her heavenly abode.(True/False )
(d) …………….is the word in the passage which means ‘a repeated part of a song or a poem’.
Long answer type question

How is the rain a bliss for the poet? Describe.

Answer:
The poet has developed a deep attachment with the rain.
When it rains, he desires to lie on his cozy bed and enjoy the
falling of rain drops on the roof. There is some specific reasons
for it. When he hears the pattering of rain drops, the sweet
memories of his childhood evaporate in his heart. He becomes
nostalgic and remembers his mother. The picture of his mother
reels over his eyes. He recalls how his mother had liking for
sweet dreams. Besides, the poet forgets his worries and
becomes filled with new hopes and aspirations. Hence, the
rain is a bliss for the poet.
Question 2.
Describe the various sights and sounds of the falling rain and
recollections it brings to the poet.
Answer:
Humid showers hover over all the starry sky. The melancholy
darkness gently weeps in the form of rain drops. The rain
creates an echo in his heart. It also brings thousand dreamy
fancies alive to his mind. The poet listens to the patter caused
by the sounds of the raindrops on the roof. At this moment
the memory of his mother comes alive into his mind. His
mother is no more but the memory is still alive. He still feels
her fondness of looking on him. The memory is still fresh
while he is writing this song of rain. He also listens to the
sound of the rain falling upon the shingles.