Q1: What is the setting of the poem?
Ans: The poet is lying comfortably snug in his bed with his head pressed against the pillow, in a room in his cottage listening to the patter of the soft rain as it falls on the shingles of the roof.
Q2: How old do you think the poet is? Justify your answer.
Ans: The poet is a young man who reflects on his past. He recalls his mother watching over him and his siblings while they slept, indicating that these memories are from long ago. Additionally, the poet mentions that his mother has passed away, as he states she lives on in his memories.
Q3: How does the sky look before the rain falls?
Ans: Before the rain falls, the weather turns humid and great dark clouds gather in the sky. They cover the stars and spread darkness. The poet feels these dark clouds are gloomy and melancholic. To the poet, the darkness spells despondence and gloom as the clouds – humid shadows – weep gentle tears that fall as rain.
Q4: ‘And the melancholy darkness gently weeps in rainy tears.’ Explain the phrase ‘melancholy darkness’. What does it do?
Ans: “Melancholy darkness” refers to the dark rain-bearing clouds. The poet imagines that the clouds covering the sky are gloomy and depressed because they are heavy and grey. The poet further imagines that the clouds are weeping and their tears are falling down as raindrops.
Q5: What is a ‘bliss’ for the poet in the poem ‘Rain on the Roof?
Ans: The poet thinks it is blissful to lie in his cozy bed with his head on the pillow and listen to the sound of rain falling on the shingles of the roof. He enjoys the music of nature which arouses fantasies and memories in his mind.
Q6: What does the poet like to do when it rains?
Ans: The poet enjoys lying in his cottage room, comfortably tucked in bed with his head on a pillow when it rains. This experience brings him immense pleasure.
Q7: What feelings does the falling rain arouse in the poet in the poem ‘Rain on the Roof?
Ans: The poet describes the falling rain as the tears of dark, gloomy clouds. However, while lying snug in bed and listening to the patter on the shingles, he finds immense pleasure in the sound. This soothing noise allows him to drift into fantasies and memories, evoking feelings of warmth and nostalgia.
Q8: What are the poet’s feelings as the rain falls on the shingles?
Ans: As the rain falls on the shingles, its tinkling sound creates an echo in the poet’s heart. As he listens to the patter of the raindrops on the roof, his gloom is lifted and his heart is filled with a thousand fantasies and fond memories of his mother.
Q9: When do the ‘thousand dreamy fancies’ begin to weave in the poet’s mind? What are these fancies?
Ans: When the poet lies in his cozy bed in his cottage, listening to the gentle music of the rain on the roof, his mind becomes filled with various thoughts and imaginations. These dreamy fancies are vivid, colourful ideas that start to weave together in his mind, creating a tapestry of bright, fanciful images.
Q10: “And a thousand dreamy fancies into the busy heart.” When do the ‘thousand dreamy fancies’ begin in the poet’s heart?
Ans: In the poem, the thousand dreamy fancies begin to flood the poet's heart when he is in his cottage, lying in bed. As he listens to the soft music of the rain on the roof, his mind becomes filled with various thoughts and imaginations. The gentle sound of the rain on the shingles ignites his creativity and reflection.
Q11: ‘Now in memory comes my mother.’ When does the poet remember his mother? What does it show about him?
Ans: As the poet lies in his bed in his room in the cottage, listening to the sound of rain falling incessantly on the roof of his cottage. The poet loved his mother. He remembered her when he lied on his cozy bed to enjoy the sound of rain. It appears to him as if she was fondly looking at him.
Q12: ‘As I list to this refrain.’ Which kind of refrain is the poet referring to?
Ans: The poem is lying in his cozy bed in his cottage listening to the sound of rain falling on the roof of his cottage. Here, refrain refers to the continuous patter of the rain falling on the shingles of his roof.
Q13: What feeling does every tinkle on the shingle create for the poet?
Ans: Every raindrop that falls on the roof creates a rhythm that resonates with the poet's heartbeat. This sound sparks a flurry of dreams, keeping his thoughts occupied. As he listens to the gentle patter of the rain, his mind begins to weave together cherished memories from the past.
Q14: Do you think the poet is praising the healing power of rain in the poem ‘Rain on the Roof?
Ans: In the poem, as the poet lies in bed watching the dark clouds gather, he initially feels a sense of gloom and sadness, perceiving the clouds as weeping and the rain as their tears. However, while snug in bed and listening to the gentle sound of the rain, his mood shifts. The rain evokes fond memories, particularly of his mother, which brings him comfort. Although he reflects on past pains, the rain simultaneously uplifts his spirits. Thus, the rain serves as a source of healing, transforming his sorrow into a sense of peace and nostalgia.
Q15: Do you think the poet enjoys the rain?
Ans: Initially, when the clouds gather and the rain begins, the poet feels a sense of dismay and gloom due to the darkening skies. His mood is quite somber. However, as the soft raindrops patter on the shingles, he finds comfort, and his thoughts turn to fond memories of his mother. The soothing sound of the rain evokes a sense of nostalgia, transforming his initial sadness into a warm recollection of cherished moments.
Q16: What is the central idea of the poem ‘Rain on the Roof?
Ans: The central idea of the poem ‘Rain on the Roof’ is that nature offers comfort to the mind. The poet finds great joy in lying in bed and listening to the gentle sound of rain falling on the roof of his cottage. As he listens, he becomes immersed in dreams, with many memories and fancies filling his thoughts.
Q17: How does the poet describe the falling rain in the poem ‘Rain on the Roof?
Ans: The poet describes the falling rain as the tears of clouds, portraying the dark, rain-bearing clouds as gloomy and depressed. He imagines them weeping, with their tears falling gently to the earth as rain. However, as he listens to the patter of rain on the shingles, he finds immense pleasure in it. The melodious sound of nature captivates him, allowing him to drift into fantasies. The soft rain on the wooden roof evokes a sense of comfort and nostalgia, reminding him of his mother and the tender moments they shared.
Q18: How does the rain affect the poet? Describe.
Ans: Initially, the sight of the dark clouds brings feelings of dismay and sadness to the poet. However, the gentle patter of the rain on the roof quickly brings him comfort. As he lies in his cosy bed with his head on the pillow, he listens to the soothing sound of the raindrops falling on the shingles. This calming noise fills him with bliss and sparks a thousand fantasies in his mind. Amidst these thoughts, he feels a wave of nostalgia as he remembers his mother. He recalls how she used to look at him and his sleeping siblings with love and tenderness while they lay in their beds. Thus, for the poet, the rain transforms into a source of joy and fond memories, making it a truly blissful experience.
Q19: What happens when the poet listens to the patter of the rain? Do you think that rain is a narrative tool in the poet’s life?
Ans: The raindrops create a soothing melody as they fall on the roof, producing a delightful tinkling sound. For the poet, this sound brings a sense of bliss. Initially, the poem conveys a feeling of sadness, with the poet describing the "melancholy darkness" that "gently weeps in rainy tears." However, as he lies comfortably in bed, he experiences a wave of happiness. Each raindrop resonates with the poet's heartbeat, forming a rhythm that enhances his emotional state. While listening to the pitter-patter of the rain, the poet's thoughts drift to cherished memories from the past. The rain serves as a powerful narrative tool in his life, evoking feelings of nostalgia and fantasy. It reminds him of his mother, stirring poignant recollections of her tender care. This connection illustrates how rain intertwines with various aspects of life, enriching the poet's experiences and emotions.
Q20: In what way are the poems The Road Not Taken and Rain on the Roof evocative of the past?
Ans: In both the poems "The Road Not Taken" and "Rain on the Roof," there is a certain nostalgia for events long gone by. In "The Road Not Taken," Robert Frost talks with regret about a decision taken long ago to take a certain path in the woods. He had thought of taking the second path sometime in the future. Though he knew, even at that time, that the chances of his returning that way were slim. So his tone is one of regret.
On the other hand, the poet in "Rain on the Roof" is first filled with melancholy and gloom at the sight of the gathering clouds. However, the gentle patter of the rain soothes him and fills his mind with fond memories of his mother smiling down at him. Thus Kinney’s feelings of unhappiness vanish, and he is at peace.
