Rain on the Roof

AP / NCERT Solutions for Grade 9 Beehive  
Poem 3 Rain on the Roof

Thinking about the Poem

I.1. What do the following phrases mean to you? Discuss in class.

(i) humid shadows

(ii) starry spheres

(iii) what a bliss

(iv) a thousand dreamy fancies into busy being start

(v) a thousand recollections weave their air-threads into woof

(i) humid shadows: humid shadows refer to the dark clouds that cover the sky and bring rain

(ii) starry spheres: it refers to the sky that is usually full of stars

(iii) what a bliss: bliss means happiness. Here the poet says that it is such a happy moment when one listens to the patter of the rain overhead.

(iv) a thousand dreamy fancies into busy being start: It refers to the several thoughts and fantasies that surround the poet when he listens to the patter of the rain.

(v) a thousand recollections weave their air-threads into woof- it means that poet feels as if his old memories are being woven in front of him.

2. What does the poet like to do when it rains?

The poet likes to press his head into the pillow of his cottage chamber bed and listen to the patter of the soft rain overhead.

3. What is the single major memory that comes to the poet? Who are the “darling dreamers” he refers to?

The single major memory that comes to the poet is of his mother and her fond look on the poet.Darling dreamers that the poet refers to are the poet and his siblings who were sent to sleep by the poet’s mother every day.

4. Is the poet now a child? Is his mother still alive?

No, the poet is now a grown up man. His mother is not alive anymore.

II.1. When you were a young child, did your mother tuck you in, as the poet’s did?

Yes, when I was a young child, my mother tucked me in. She would sing me lullabies and send me to sleep.

2. Do you like rain? What do you do when it rains steadily or heavily as described in the poem?

Yes, I like when it rains. When it rains heavily, I like to listen to the patter of the rain on the roof overhead and to look at the drops falling on the leaves of the plants.

3. Does everybody have a cozy 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.

No, not everyone is fortunate enough to have a cozy bed to lie in when it rains. Poor people who do not have a shelter to protect themselves from the rain. They wander here and there to find a place where they can stand under the tin roofs or trees. People who were out of their homes try to rush back towards their homes as soon as possible. Animals try to find places to save themselves from getting wet during rain.