THE RAIN (W.H. Davies)
CONTEXT: This poem is a musical display of rain. It is a great phenomenon of nature. The poet is very happy to see the drops of rain falling on the leaves of tree. The upper leaves are giving water to the leaves at lower level. However, the poet displays optimism and hopes that the scene after the rain will be lovely and enjoyed by everyone without any class distinction.
EXPLANATION: LINES I TO 6: In these lines, the poet portrays the scene of rain and the condition of the leaves during the rain. He says that it is raining and he is hearing and enjoying the sound of falling rain on leaves. The leaves seem to be drinking rain water. The leaves on the top are giving water to the leaves which are lower. It looks as if the rich people were giving alms coin after coin to the poor. However, the noise created by the falling rain is very soft and sweet.
EXPLANATION: LINES 7 TO 12: In these lines, the poet says that the sun will appear after the rain stops. It will shine brighter than before. The sunshine will spread everywhere. Each drop will be filled with light. It will make the whole atmosphere lovely and bright. Everyone will be able to see the beauty of nature in different objects. He will witness it in round drops, in sunlight and in freshness of everything. It will indeed be a very lovely sight.
Short Questions
Q.No.1: Who has written the poem, “The Rain?”
Answer: The poem, “The Rain” has been written by W.H. Davies. He was a prolific poet. Most of his verses deal with nature and the problems and hardships of the poor.
Q.No.2: What is the theme of the poem? OR What does the poet want to convey his readers through the poem, “The Rain?” OR What is the central idea of the poem? OR Write a note on critical appreciation of the poem? (MUl-06, RWP, BP, FSD-07, AJK-08, 12)
Answer: The poet says that when it rains, the upper leaves quench their thirst first and then transfer drop after drop to the lower leaves. Symbolically, the rich enjoy a thing first and then transfer the rest to the poor.
Q.No.3.Why does the poet call the upper leaves the rich leaves? OR What does the poet mean by rich leaves? (DG-10, BP-08, GW-10)
Answer: The poet calls the upper leaves the rich leaves because they get great advantage of being at upper level. The rich leaves are symbol of elite class of society.
Q.No.4: Why does the poet call the lower leaves the poor leaves? OR What does the poet mean by “Poor Leaves?”
Answer: The poet calls the lower leaves the poor leaves. Symbolically, these leaves represent the poor people. The poor get advantage later than the rich.
Q.No.5: What is sweet to hear? OR How does the poet feel when he hears the rain falling on the leaves? (FSD, BWP-09)
Answer: When the upper leaves trickle down water to the lower leaves, they create noise. The poet is greatly impressed to hear this sweet noise.
Q.No.6: How can a rainy day be enjoyed? (LHR-07, 08, DGK-08, MUL-10, SAR-11)
Answer: We can enjoy the scene after the sun reappears. We can enjoy the scene of rainbow. We can enjoy the freshness which appears in nature.
Q.No.7: What will happen after the rain stops? OR Why does the poet hope to enjoy a lovely sight after the rain stops? OR What happens when the sun shines brightly? (FSD-11, SGR-07, 08, MN-07, LR-07, 08, FSD-11, BWP-08)
Answer: The poet hopes that the sun will shine brightly and spread its rays all around after the rain stops. The sun rays will brighten everything. Everything will wear a new outlook.