The Rain

By

  The Rain by W. H. Davies

This poem is included in 10th class/grade Board Syllabus.

The poem "The Rain" captures the essence of a refreshing rain shower and the rejuvenation it brings to both nature and the human spirit. 

"The Rain"

I hear leaves drinking rain;   A

I hear rich leaves on top        B

Giving the poor beneath        C

Drop after drop;                      B

'Tis a sweet noise to hear       D

These green leaves drinking near. D


And when the Sun comes out,  A

After this rain shall stop,           B

A wondrous light will fill           C

Each dark, round drop;             B

I hope the Sun shines bright;   D

'Twill be a lovely sight.              D


The rhyme scheme of the poem is : ABCBDD.


Summary, Theme, Main Idea:


Summary:

"The Rain" by W. H. Davies portrays the sensory experience of rain falling on leaves, depicting it as a harmonious symphony of nature. The poem also anticipates the clearing of the rain and the emergence of sunlight, which will illuminate each raindrop and create a wondrous sight.

Theme:

The theme of "The Rain" revolves around the beauty and rejuvenating power of nature.

It celebrates the sensory experience of rain and sunlight, emphasizing the harmonious

relationship between elements of the natural world.

Main Idea:

The main idea of the poem is to convey the sensory and emotional impact of rain on

both nature and the observer. It highlights the beauty and transformative effects of rain,

as well as the anticipation of the sun's return after the storm. Through vivid imagery and

sensory language, the poem captures the wonder and joy found in simple moments of

natural beauty.


Paraphrasing of the poem;


Stanza. 1: 

I hear leaves drinking rain;    

I hear rich leaves on top        

Giving the poor beneath        

Drop after drop;                      

'Tis a sweet noise to hear       

These green leaves drinking near. 


Paraphrase Stanza. 1: 

I listen to the sound of leaves absorbing rainwater; I hear the wealthy, upper leaves above.

Providing for the less fortunate leaves below.  One drop after another;  It's a pleasant sound

to listen to. These nearby green leaves are absorbing water.


Stanza. 2:

And when the Sun comes out,  

After this rain shall stop,           

A wondrous light will fill            

Each dark, round drop;             

I hope the Sun shines bright;    

'Twill be a lovely sight.

              

Paraphrase Stanza. 2: And when the sun emerges,  after this rain has ceased.

A marvelous light will illuminate  Every dark, spherical raindrop.  I wish for the

sun to shine brightly.  It will be a beautiful spectacle.


Answers the following questions:


1. What does the poet hear? 


In the poem "The Rain" by W. H. Davies, the poet hears the sound of leaves drinking rain.
This auditory experience is depicted as a sweet and pleasing noise.
2. What is the sweet noise according to the poet?

The sweet noise according to the poet is the sound of leaves drinking rain.

3. What will happen after the rain stops?

After the rain stops, the poet anticipates that a wondrous light will fill each raindrop when the sun comes out.
4. How does the sun come out after the rain?

The sun emerges after the rain, illuminating each raindrop, creating a wondrous sight.

5. How does the light fill the drops?

The light fills each raindrop, creating a marvelous sight, after the rain stops.

6. What makes the scene lovely?

The scene becomes lovely because of the anticipated brightness of the shining sun after the rain.

Literary devices which are used in this poem:

In "The Rain" by W. H. Davies, several literary devices are employed to enhance the imagery and convey the themes of the poem. Here are some of the key literary devices used:

  1. Personification: The poem personifies leaves by describing them as "drinking" the rain, which gives them a sense of vitality and liveliness.

  2. Imagery: Vivid sensory imagery is used throughout the poem to evoke the sights and sounds of the rain and its effects on nature. For example, the reader can visualize "leaves drinking rain" and "a wondrous light" illuminating raindrops.

  3. Symbolism: The rain and sunlight are symbolic of renewal and transformation, representing the cyclical nature of life and the beauty found in change.

  4. Repetition: The repetition of phrases like "I hear" and "rain shall stop" emphasizes the auditory experience of the rain and creates a rhythmic pattern in the poem.

  5. Metaphor: The comparison of raindrops to "dark, round drops" and the anticipation of sunlight shining through them serve as metaphors for the beauty and wonder found in the natural world.

These literary devices work together to create a vivid and evocative portrayal of the sensory experience of rain and its transformative effects on nature.