Rain on the Roof Analysis PDF

Reference to Context Questions: “What a bliss to press the pillow Of a cottage-chamber bed And lie listening to the patter Of the soft rain overhead!” i. Identify the poem and the poet. These lines have been extracted from Coates Kinney’s...

Reference to Context Questions: “What a bliss to press the pillow Of a cottage-chamber bed And lie listening to the patter Of the soft rain overhead!” i. Identify the poem and the poet. These lines have been extracted from Coates Kinney’s poem, titled ‘The Rain on the Roof.’ ii. Identify and quote a poetic device used in these lines. In the above-mentioned lines, the poet uses the literary device alliteration in the phrases “press the pillow” and “lie listening”. iii. ‘The poet’s bliss was a direct consequence of his surroundings.’ Comment. Initially, the poet was melancholic and imposed his forlorn emotions onto his surroundings, painting a rather dark and depressing image. However, the downpour of rain and the melody of rain-drops falling upon the roof provided him a reprieve and made his experience a blissful one instead. “0! I feel her fond look on me As I list to this refrain Which is played upon the shingles By the patter of the rain.” i. Whose “fond look” is being referenced in these lines? Is that individual still alive? In these lines the poet is talking about a memory of his mother fondly looking at him, while she lovingly put her children to bed. Although there seems to be some  significant distance between him and his mother and he is clearly missing her, we cannot say for certain if she is dead or alive. ii. Which ‘refrain’ is the poet listening to in the above lines? The poet is listening to the refrain created by the rain falling upon the roof. This natural melody makes the poet feel calm and nostalgic. iii. Identify and quote a poetic device used in these lines. The poet uses onomatopoeia in the phrase “patter of the rain” as patter is a sound word literally replicating the sound of rain falling upon the shingles. Short Answer Questions: 1. What is the single major memory that comes to the poet? Who are the “darling dreamers” he refers to? In his nostalgic state, the poet reminisces about his mother, as long back she would lovingly put him and his siblings to sleep. The ‘darling dreamers’ referred to in these lines are the poet and his siblings. He felt comforted by this childhood memory brimming with her love for her children. 2. Briefly explain what the poet means by “a thousand dreamy fancies into busy being start”. The rain inspires nostalgia and contemplation in the poet, as he faces the onslaught of numerous different thoughts, ideas and memories. Initially however, all of these “dreamy fancies” could barely begin before they are overtaken by something else. Nothing seems to make any significant impact on him. In fact, his mother’s memory is the first one he seems to ponder over and is affected by. 3. What impact do the “tinkle” of raindrops have on the poet’s heart? The natural melody of raindrops falling upon the roof makes the poet nostalgic. In fact, the poet says that every drop of rain falling on the “shingles” of his rooftop, brings back echoes of his past and he feels comforted, content and blissful, as he is reminded of his childhood, his siblings and his mother’s love.