NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Beehive - Poem - Rain on the Roof

Thinking about the Poem

I.

Q1: What do the following phrases mean to you? Discuss in class.

(a) Humid shadows
Ans: “Humid shadows” refer to the dark, moisture-laden clouds that produce rain, creating a heavy, melancholic atmosphere. The poet uses this metaphor to convey a sense of emotional depth and tranquillity associated with the rainy night.

(b) Starry spheres
Ans: “Starry spheres” describe the night sky filled with countless stars, portraying a vast, celestial expanse that evokes wonder and beauty, setting a serene backdrop for the rain.

(c) What a bliss
Ans: “What a bliss” expresses the poet’s overwhelming joy and comfort in lying on his cottage bed, listening to the soothing patter of rain on the roof, which lulls him into a peaceful, dreamlike state.

(d) A thousand dreamy fancies into busy being start
Ans: This phrase describes the flood of imaginative thoughts and fantasies that come alive in the poet’s mind, sparked by the rhythmic patter of rain, setting his creativity and reflection into motion.

(e) A thousand recollections weave their air-threads into woof
Ans: This phrase illustrates how numerous memories, triggered by the rain’s patter, intertwine like delicate threads woven into a fabric (woof), forming a vivid, nostalgic tapestry in the poet’s mind, particularly of his mother’s love.

Q2: What does the poet like to do when it rains?
Ans: When it rains, the poet delights in lying with his head pressed against the pillow of his cottage chamber bed, listening to the soothing patter of soft rain, which brings him comfort and peace.

Q3: What is the single major memory that comes to the poet? Who are the “darling dreamers” he refers to?
Ans: The single major memory that comes to the poet is of his late mother’s fond, loving gaze as she watched over her children. The “darling dreamers” refer to the poet and his siblings during their childhood, when their mother tenderly tucked them into bed at night.

Q4: Is the poet now a child? Is his mother still alive?
Ans: No, the poet is not a child anymore; he is a grown man reflecting on his past. His mother is likely no longer alive, as he fondly recalls her memory while listening to the soothing patter of rain on his cottage roof.

II. 

Q1: When you were a young child, did your mother tuck you in, as the poets did? 
Ans: Example Answer:
Yes, my mother used to tuck me in when I was a young child, just like the poet’s mother. I remember her gently pulling the blanket over me and telling me a bedtime story, which made me feel safe and loved.

Q2: Do you like the rain? What do you do when it rains steadily or heavily as described in the poem?
Ans: Example Answer: 
Yes, I love the rain, especially its steady patter, which feels soothing like in the poem. When it rains steadily, I stay indoors with my family, sipping tea and sharing stories, cherishing the cosy, nostalgic atmosphere the rain creates.

Q3: Does everybody have a cosy bed to lie in when it rains? Look around you and describe how different kinds of people or animals spend time, seek shelter, etc., during rain. 
Ans: No, not everyone is lucky enough to have a cosy bed during the rain. Many people and animals lack the comfort of a warm shelter. I’ve seen animals taking cover under trees or the tin roofs of roadside tea stalls, only to be shooed away by passers-by trying to squeeze in. The animals are often left shivering and soaked. Shopkeepers, however, benefit as people waiting out the rain tend to buy tea and snacks. This scene highlights the contrast between those with shelter and those without, and the struggles faced during rainy weather.