Rain on the Roof Important Questions Class 9 Beehive English
Short Answer Type Questions
Question 1. Write the central theme of the poem ‘Rain on the Roof.
Answer
The central idea or theme of the poem “Rain on the Roof’ is that the pattering of the rain on the roof gives the poet solace and he is lost in many fancies. He dreams of his mother, who loved him dearly. The rain provides him with great happiness.
Question 2. Why does the poet call the sound of the rain as “refrain”?
Answer
A refrain is a line repeatedly used in a song or a poem. The drops of rain produce a piece of distinct and continuous music by way of their pattering. This repetitive sound of the rain is called ‘refrain’ by the poet.
Question 3. What does the poet like to do when it rains?
Answer
When it rains the poet like to keep lying in his cosy bed and enjoy listening to the patter of soft raindrops.
Question 4. Do you think the poet enjoys the rain?
Answer
At first when the clouds gather and rain starts, the poet is filled with dismay and gloom at the gathering darkness. His mood is somber. However, the patter of the raindrops on the shingles soon soothes him and his mind is filled with imaginings and fond memories of his mother.
Question 5. How is the movement before rain described in the poem?
Answer
Before the rain, the dark wet shadows of clouds come over the sky. The stars seem to be turned into big spheres and covered under these clouds. Suddenly it starts raining.
Question 6. What is a ‘bliss’ for the poet in the poem ‘Rain on the Roof?
Answer
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.
Question 7. Describe the weather just before the rain starts.
Answer
As described by the poet, the weather before the rain is humid. It is dark, and the starry night sky is covered by thick clouds just before it begins to rain.
Question 8. What is the setting of the poem?
Answer
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.
Question 9. How is the mood of the poet contrasted with the mood of darkness?
Answer
Whereas the darkness is in a sad and gloomy mood, the poet is in a happy mood as he considers it bliss to lie comfortably in bed pressing the head against the pillow and listening to the music made by the showers of the rain.
Question 10. How old do you think the poet is? Justify your answer.
Answer
The poet is a young man. He remembers his mother looking down at him and his siblings, who are sleeping in their room, long ago. The poet’s mother also is no longer alive as he says she lives on in his memories.
Question 11. What are the poet’s feelings as the rain falls on the shingles?
Answer
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.
Question 12. What does the poet like to do when it rains?
Answer
When it rains, the poet wants to lie on the bed in a cottage and listen to the pitter-patter sound of the rain. The poet feels very comfortable and old memories come back to his mind. His mind is in bliss as the memories of his mother come to his mind.
Long Answer Type Questions
Question 1. Do you think the poet is praising the healing power of rain in the poem ‘Rain on the Roof?
Answer
As the poet lies in his bed, looking at the dark clouds gathered, he first is filled with feelings of gloom and unhappiness. He feels the clouds are weeping and the rain is the tears of these gloomy clouds. However, as he lies snug in bed, listening to the sound of rain, his gloom is lifted and his mind is filled with fantasies and fond memories. This rain and its sound resurrect the fondest memory of the poet—that of his mother—in his mind. As the rain continues, the poet tries to recollect all that caused him pain, yet simultaneously lifts his spirits. The rain has thus brought comfort to him.
Question 2. What is the effect of the sound of the rain on the heart and mind of the poet?
Answer
The poet’s heart and mind react strongly to the sound of the rain falling on the roof. He is in a blissful mood as he enjoys the comfort of his bedroom, leisurely listening to the music of the rain. The music stirs a corresponding echo in the heart of the poet. His heartbeat responds to the sound of the rain by its rhythmic throbbing. He gets engrossed in fanciful, dreamy thoughts.
Moreover, the rain awakens many memories of the past. Particularly, it revives the memory of his mother as she looked at her children very affectionately before she went to sleep in her room. He recollects the fond, affectionate look of his mother which she cast on him. Thus, the poet’s mind and heart respond sensitively to the soft pattering sound of the rain falling on the roof.
Question 3. 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?
Answer
The raindrops play music on the roof and create a tinkling sound on the shingles. To the poet this music is blissful. At the beginning of the poem there is a certain tinge of sadness, and the poet talks of “melancholy darkness, gently weeps in rainy tears’. However, as he lies in his cosy bed, a feeling of bliss washes over him. Every raindrop on the tiles of the roof creates a rhythm with the poet’s heartbeat.
The poet tries to focus on listening to the pitter-patter on the roof whereas his mind weaves the recollections of fond memories of yesterday. Rain bears a subtle link with all aspects of life. It serves as a powerful narrative tool in the poet’s life as it evokes fantasies and nostalgia in the poet. He recalls his mother in a poignant manner.
Question 4. What virtue do you find in the sound of rain? Explain with reference to the poem Rain on the Roof.
Answer
The sound of rain is pleasing to the ear. When we hear this sound, we forget everything. We feel nostalgic and find ourselves in the world of fancies. We remember the sweet memories of the past in a peaceful heart. Of course, we are unable to forget such moments of life. We must take this lesson from the rain and create peace in the minds of people through our behaviour.
Question 5. “What bliss to press the pillow
Of a cottage-chamber bed”
Is rain ‘bliss’ for everybody? What do different people feel about the rain?
Answer
In the poem “Rain on the Roof”, the poet Coates Kinney relates the various blissful emotions he has while he lies comfortably in his bed. For him, it is pure bliss to listen to the patter of raindrops falling on the roof. But enjoying this bliss is not a privilege for everyone. There are many poverty-stricken people for whom rain brings a number of difficulties. Some of these people are without shelter, while some live in poor, thatched cottages with leaking roofs. When we look around, we find people reacting differently to the rain. Rich people sit comfortably in the verandas of their luxurious houses and enjoy delicious snacks while watching the rain. Those who are burdened with a busy schedule, feel uncomfortable when they have to run around in the rain. Exposed to the rain, the poor homeless are forced to take cover lest they are drenched in rain.
Animals too are uncomfortable when the rain falls. The domestic animals may be protected but the stray ones have to seek shelter. Thus, rain is not bliss for everybody.