Song of the Rain- Extra Questions and Notes

Extra Questions, Notes, Assignment and study material for Class 9^th as Per CBSE Syllabus

Chapter- 12 English Communicative Literature Reader

SONG OF THE RAIN

By– Kahlil Girban

About the Poet- Kahlil Gibran

Kahlil Gibran (1883-1931) was a Lebanese-American artist, poet, and writer. He was born on 6 January 1883, to the Maronite family of Gibran in Bsharri, a mountainous area in Northern Lebanon. When Kahlil was 12 years old, his mother, Kamila, took her children and on 25 June 1895, the Gibrans immigrated to the USA. The family settled in Boston. Gibran’s curiosity led him to the cultural side of Boston, which exposed him to the rich world of the theatre, opera, and art galleries. Prodded by the cultural scenes around him and through his artistic drawings, Gibran caught the attention of his teachers at the public school, who saw an artistic future for the boy. They contacted Fred Holland Day, an artist and a supporter of artists who opened up Gibran’s cultural world and set him on the road to artistic fame. His poetry is notable for its use of formal language as well as insights on topics of life using spiritual terms. One of his most notable lines of poetry in the English- speaking world is from Sand and Foam (1926) which reads “Half of what I say is meaningless, but I say it so that the other half may reach you.”

Introduction of the Poem- SONG OF THE RAIN

Stylistically as well as thematically “s” has got a unique grace, elegance and delicacy about itself. This autobiographical poem not only brings out the story of the birth and death of rain but also highlights its characteristics. Profuse use of literary devices enhances the poem’s beauty and lends it a divine touch. This is one of the best rain poems.

The poem at, a Glance

The drops of the rain are like the dotted silver threads dropped from heaven by gods.
Nature sends the rain to adorn its fields and valleys.
The drops of rain are like ‘pearls’ plucked from the crown of the goddess Ishtar.
When it rains, hills laugh and flowers rejoice.
The rain acts as a messenger of mercy between two lovers — the field and the cloud.
The voice of thunder announces the arrival of the rain.
The rainbow declares its departure.
It is like earthly life, beginning at the feet of ‘mad elements’ and ending under the uplifted wings of death.
It emerges from the heart of the sea and descends when ‘a field is in need’.
The rain has its own music which can be heard by all but can be understood only by a few sensitive souls.
It is the `sigh’ of the sea, the ‘laughter’ of the field and the ‘tears’ of heaven.

LITERARY DEVICE OF POEM-SONG OF THE RAIN

A fine example of poetic craftsmanship the poem makes abundant use of literary devices.

Personification

Personification is the practice of attributing human qualities, character or personality to inanimate things or non-human creatures such that they appear to be living human beings.

The rain has been personified – human qualities of mercy, humility, concern and consideration have been attributed to the rain all through the poem.

Hence we find the rain

crying – when I cry the hills laugh
bowing – when I bow, all things are related
acting as a messenger – I am a messenger of mercy
gently touching – I touch gently at the windows
seeing and embracing – when I see a field in Need, / I descend and embrace the flowers

Clouds and fields projected as lovers have also been personified.

Metaphor

This is rather like a simile except that metaphor is an implied comparison, by which two things are compared without the use of ‘as’ and ‘like’. The poet does not say that one object is like another. He says it is another.

The abundant use of metaphors makes the description of rain so lucid and life-like that we can visualize it very vividly.

Examples:

Following metaphors have been used in the poem where rain has been called

– dotted silver threads

– beautiful pearls

– messenger of mercy

– the sigh of the sea

– the laughter of the field

– tears of heaven

Simile

In a simile, a comparison between two distinctly different things is indicated by the word ‘like’ or ‘as’ Example:

Making a direct comparison between a life of rain and earthly life, the poet uses a simile in the following line: ‘I am like earthly life’

Alliteration

Alliteration is “the repetition of usually consonant sounds occurring

recurrently at the beginning of a word or of a stressed syllable within a word.”

Examples:

In daughter of Dawn; messenger of mercy and the sigh of the sea a musical effect has been created by repeating ‘d’, ‘m’ and ‘s’ sound respectively.

Onomatopoeia

Onomatopoeia (sometimes called echoism) is applied to a word, or a combination of words, whose sound seems to resemble the sound it describes. ‘Bang’, ‘pop’, ‘hiss’, buzz etc. are onomatopoeic words.

Examples:

the sigh of the sea
the laughter of the field
tears of heaven

‘Sigh’, ‘laughter’ and ‘tears’ give a concrete form to the abstract idea of the mood of the seas, field and heaven through these mental pictures.

RHYME SCHEME

Keeping the theme in mind, the poet has written the poem in free verse. Just as the rain falls without any inhibition, the poem has also been written without subjecting it to any restrictions of rhyme scheme. Though it has no rhyme scheme it does have an inner music

Theme / Central Idea of the Lesson. Analysis of SONG OF THE RAIN

“Song of the Rain” is a first-person account of the rain’ s formation and journey from the womb of the sea to the sky and back to the earth again. This autobiography highlights the divinity (divine nature) of the rain. It also reveals how nature makes it an instrument to enhance its beauty and to embellish (adorn) it.

The significance of the Title –SONG OF THE RAIN (Value Based)

Justify the title of Song of the rain

“Song of the Rain” is an apt and a well-chosen title. The poem describes the journey of rain’s life. Singing about its origin the rain describes what it does, how it rejuvenates the earth and infuses everybody around with joy. In its song, it also wishes all joy and bliss for all the people around. The poem has a song like the music of its own, hence the title “Song of the Rain” is a suitable title.

Important Word-Meanings of difficult words from the lesson- Song of the rain

Word-Meanings

Dotted—covered or spread out in small round drops, छोटे गोल बूंदों में छिटकी हुई l Silver threads—silvery coloured threads,चाँदी जैसे रंग की गोल –गोल की बूंदों की लड़ी I Adorn—to decorate, सजाने के लिये I Pearls—small shiny white jewels, मोती I Plucked—separated,तोड़ ली गयी I Crown of Ishtar—crown was worn by the goddess of fertility, love, war and sex, पैदावार, प्यार और काम देवी द्वारा पहना ताज I Dawn—daybreak, उषा-काल, भोर I Embellish—decorate, सजाती है I

Humble—becomes modest,विनम्र होती हूँ I Rejoice—enjoy, become happy, आनन्द करते है ं, ख़ुशी मनाते है I Bow—bends down, नीचे झुकती हूँ I Elated—very happy and excited, बहुत प्रसन्न और प्रफुल्लित I Quench—slakes,प्यास बुझाती हूँ I Ailment—disease, बीमार ी, रोग I Thunder—loud noise heard after a flash of lightning,बिजली की चमक के बाद जोर की गडगडाहट I Declares—announces,घोषणा करता है I Departure—leaving, going away,जाने का I Upraised—lifted, moved upwards, ऊपर की ओर उठी हुई I Emerge—rises up,उठती हूँ I Soar—fly high,ऊँची उड़ती हूँ I Breeze—a light wind,हलकी हव ा, समीर I Descend—comes down,नीचे उतर जाती हूँ I Embrace—takes in my arms,अपनी भुजाओं में भर लेती हूँ I Gently—softly,हल्के से I The sensitive—(here) those who have a tender heart, कोमल ह्रदयी I Sigh—a deep sad breath,आह I Heaven—sky,आकाश I Affection—love,स्नेह ,प्यार I Spirit—Soul,आत्मा I Endless—without an end,अनंत I Heaven—(here) space, sky,अंतरिक्ष ,आकाश I

Download – SONG OF THE RAIN/ text Class 9 pdf

Moral/ Message of the lesson – SONG OF THE RAIN

Very subtly, the poet conveys a message through this poem that rainfall should not be taken as common-place phenomenon of nature. The occurrence is a marvel of nature and a boon to the earth and mankind. It deserves to be admired and appreciated as something divine. However to perceive its divinity one needs to have refined sensibilities.

Pointwise Summary of the lesson – SONG OF THE RAIN / Brief note on the Lesson

(A) Point Wise Summary

When the shimmering drops fall one after another it looks as if the silver threads are being dropped from heaven by God. ,
Nature sends rain on the earth to adorn its fields and valleys. The raindrops are like pearls plucked from the crown of Ishtar, to decorate gardens.
The falling of the rain-drops makes the flowers rejoice and hills laugh. When it rains, all things are related.
The rain acts as a messenger of mercy between the two lovers, the field and the cloud. It quenches the thirst of the field and cures the ailment’ of the other
The voice of thunder announces the arrival of the rain. The rainbow announces the departure of the rain.
The life of the rain is similar to earthly life. It begins ‘at the feet of mad elements’ and ends under the uplifted wings of death.
The rain rises up just from the heart of the sea. It soars high with the breeze. When a field is in need, the rain descends to irrigate it. When its showers fall, they embrace flowers and trees ‘in a million little ways.’
The arrival of the rain is like a welcome song. Everyone can enjoy the music of the rain but only a few sensitive and delicate souls can understand it.
It is the ‘sigh’ of the sea, the ‘laughter’ of the field and the ‘tears’ of heaven.
The falling of the rain is a pleasing experience. When water vapours arise from the sea, it appears as if the sea is emitting deep breaths while sighing.
When the raindrops fall, the fields seem to be laughing. The drops of the ran. fall from the sky as tears fall from the eyes

Short and Simple Summary of the lesson in English– SONG OF THE RAIN / Summary in simple Words/ Critical appreciation of the lesson – A Dog Named Duke

Summary

In this poem, Kahlil Gibran celebrates rain as the life-giving force of this earth. The poem is written in the voice of rain. The rain says that as it falls from the sky it looks like silver threads dropped from heaven by the gods. Rain causes flowers to bloom and decorate nature’s fields and valleys. Raindrops are beautiful pearls that have been plucked from the crown of the goddess Ishtar by the daughter of Dawn. Ishtar is the goddess of fertility, love, war, and sex, in the Babylonian Pantheon, she “was the divine personification of the planet Venus”. In Babylonian mythology, Aya is the goddess of Dawn. Her daughter takes the raindrops and uses them to decorate the gardens. The hills and flowers exhibit their joy when it rains by coming into bloom. When rain humbles itself by falling from the sky on to the earth, all living things are happy. The field and the cloud are lovers and the rain is a messenger of mercy between them as it it drenches the fields and makes the cloud lighter and brighter. It quenches the thirst of the parched earth and reduces the heaviness or swelling of the clouds. Rain is preceded by thunder and followed by the rainbow. Just as life is created by the coming together of the five elements—air, earth, heat, water, and wind, the rain too is created when the earth and water are heated and water rises as vapour to the sky. When it rains, the sky and wind are stormy. At the time of death, the elements merge into elements and the soul ascends to heaven. Similarly, when rain falls, it merges with the water only to rise again as water vapour. Whenever it sees a parched field, it falls to earth and embraces the flowers and the trees. Rain taps softly against the windows. People welcome the arrival of rain. Although everyone can hear the sound of rain as it falls, only people who are sensitive can hear the sound of the rain, the affection of the sea, the joy of the fields on receiving rain, and the sorrow of heaven as rain parts from it. The rain falls on earth, filled with love for the earth, carrying with it the affection of the sea, the joy of the fields that bloom when rain falls, and a feeling of sorrow for being parted from the clouds.

The tone, as he writes about the poem is filled with admiration, tinged with sadness at the thought of death. But he realises that for the cycle of life to continue, death is inevitable.

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SUMMARY OF THE POEM in Short

The rain defines itself as the dotted silver thread dropped from heaven by gods. Nature sends it to ‘adorn her fields and valleys’. It is a `messenger of mercy’ between the two lovers — the field and the cloud. It quenches the thirst of parched fields embracing the flowers and trees ‘in a million little ways’. The arrival of the rain is like a welcome song which all can hear but ‘only the sensitive’ can understand and feel it. The rain is ‘the sigh of the sea’, the laughter of the field and the tears of heaven’

Silver Threads Dropped from Heaven

When the shimmering drops fall one after another, it looks as if the silver threads are being dropped from heaven by gods. Nature sends rain on the earth to adorn its fields and valleys. The raindrops are like pearls plucked from the crown of Ishtar to decorate gardens. The falling of the raindrops makes the flowers rejoice and hills laugh. When it rains, all things are related.

A Messenger of Mercy

The rain acts as a messenger of mercy between the two lovers, the field and the cloud. It quenches the thirst of the field and cures `the ailment’ of the other. The voice of thunder announces its arrival. The rainbow announces the departure of the rain.

The life of the rain is similar to earthly life. It begins ‘at the feet of mad elements’ and ends under the uplifted wings of death.

Emerges from the Heart of the Sea

The rain rises up just from the heart of the sea. It soars high with the breeze. When a field is in need, the rain descends to irrigate it. When its showers fall, they embrace flowers and trees ‘in a million little ways’.

Song of the Rain

The arrival of the rain is like a welcome song. Everyone can enjoy the music of the rain but only a few sensitive and delicate souls can understand it. It is the ‘sigh’ of the sea, the ‘laughter’ of the field and the ‘tears’ of heaven.

Sighs from the Deep Sea of Affection

The falling of the rain is a pleasing experience. When water vapours arise from the sea, it appears as if the sea is emitting deep breaths while sighing. When the raindrops fall, the fields seem to be laughing. The drops of the rainfall from the sky as tears fall from the eyes.

Summary in Hindi

चाँदी के धागे आकाश से बिखेरे गये

जब चमचमाती बूँदें एक के बाद एक गिरती हैं तो ऐसा लगता है जैसे देवताओं द्वारा चाँदी के धागे नीचे फेंके जा रहे हैं l प्रकृति वर्षा को पृथ्वी पर अपने खेतों और घाटियों को सजाने के लिए भेजती हैं l बारिश की बूँदे उन मोतियों जैसी लगती हैं जो Ishtar (देवी) के ताज से बागों को सजाने के लिए तोड़ लिए गये हों I बारिश के बूँदों के गिरने से फूल आनन्दित होते हैं और पहाड़ियाँ प्रसन्न हो कर हँसने लग जाती हैं I जब बारिश होती है , तो सभी चीजें प्रफुल्लित हो जाती हैं I

दया का दूत

वर्षा दो ‘प्रेमियों’, खेत और बादल, के बीच दया के दूत की भूमिका निभाती है I वह खेत की प्यास बुझाती है और दूसरे के रोग का निदान करती है I बिजली की गड़गड़ाहट इसके आगमन की घोषणा करती है I इन्द्रधनुष इसके समाप्त होने की घोषणा करता है I बारिश का जीवन पृथ्वी के जीवन के समान है I यह उत्तेजित तत्वों के चरणों से प्रारम्भ होता है और मृत्यु के ऊपर उठे हुए पंखों से अंत होता है I

समुद्र के ह्रदय से ऊपर उठती है I

बारिश ठीक समुद्र के ह्रदय से ऊपर उठती है I वह हवा के साथ ऊँचा उठती है I जब कभी किसी खेत को जरुरत होती है , तो बारिश नीचे उतर कर उसकी सिंचाई करती है I जब इसकी बौछारें गिरती हैं , तो वे फूलों और वृक्षों को लाखों ढंग से आर्लिगन करती हैं I

बारिश का गीत

बारिश का आना एक स्वागत गीत की तरह है I हर कोई बारिश के संगीत का आनन्द ले सकता है लेकिन केवल कुछ कोमल और नाजुक ह्रदयी लोग ही इसकी समझ सकते हैं समुद्र के ह्रदय से ऊपर उठती है I यह समुद्र की आह, खेत की हँसी और आकाश की आँसू है I

प्यार के गहरे समुद्र से उठी आँहें

बारिश का गिरना एक सुखदायी अनुभव है I जब वाष्प समुद्र से ऊपर उठता है तो ऐसा प्रतीत होता है कि समुद्र आहें भरते हुए गहरी सांस ले रहा है I जब वर्षा की बूँदें गिरती हैं,तो खेत खुशी से झूम उठते हैं I वर्षा की बूँदें आकाश से ऐसे गिरती हैं जैसे आँखों से आँसू I

NCERT English class 9

Summary in Hindi/ A Dog Named Duke Story in Hindi- Will be available soon

Download –SONG OF THE RAIN full lesson / text Class 9 pdf

STANZAS FOR COMPREHENSION

Read the following extracts and answer the questions that follow in one or two lines.

I have dotted silver threads dropped from heaven

By the gods. Nature then takes me, to adorn

Her fields and valleys.

Rain is the handiwork of the gods. It falls down from the sky like shining and dotted silver strings. Nature uses it as an instrument to decorate her fields and valleys by revitalizing them and freshening their greenery.

(a) Why does the rain call itself ‘dotted silver threads?

Ans. When raindrops fall one apart from the other, in a line of succession, brightened by the sunlight. it appears like dotted silver threads.

Q.(b) What for does Nature take the rain once it falls from heaven?

Ans. Once rain fell, Nature takes it to beautify its fields and valleys.

Q.(c) Who sends rain to earth and from where?

Ans. The gods send rain to earth from heaven above.

(d)How does nature make use of rain?

Ans. Nature takes rain to beautify her fields and valleys.

(e) Which literary device has the poet used in the second line of the stanza?

Ans. In the second line, making use of personification, the poet has personified Nature.

Q.(f) How does the rain define itself?

Ans. The rain calls itself the shimmering drops falling one after another from heaven sent by gods.

Q.(g) Why has nature adopted the rain?

Ans. Nature has adopted it to add beauty to the fields and valleys.

Q.(h) ‘I am beautiful pearls’. Name the poetic devices used in this line.

Ans. ‘Personification’ and ‘metaphor’ are the poetic devices used in this line.

Q.(i) In the above lines, who does the word “I” refer to?

Ans. Here “I” refers to rain.

Q.(j) Name the poetic device used in the first line?

Ans. The poetic device used in the first line is personification.

Q.(k) How does the speaker help Nature adorn fields and valleys?

Ans. The speaker helps Nature adorn fields and valleys by causing flowers to bloom.

(II)

I am beautiful pearls, plucked from the

Crown of Ishtar by the daughter of Dawn

To embellish the gardens.

The rain is so beautiful that it looks like the pearls pulled out from the crown of Ishtar – the goddess of fertility, love and war by the daughter of Dawn to decorate her gardens.

Q.(a) Who is the speaker in the above stanza?

Ans. Rain is the speaker in the above stanza.

Q.(b) what is being referred to as ‘pearls’ In the above lines?

Ans. Raindrops which look delicate and sparkling have been referred to as pearls.

Q.(c)Which literary devices have been used in ‘daughter of Dawn’?

Ans. The poet has made use of alliteration by repealing the /d/ sound in ‘daughter of dawn’. Also, daughter of dawn has been treated as a person and given a human relationship. Thus the poet has used personification in this phrase.

Q.(d) Who is Ishtar?

Ans.‘Ishtar’ is the goddess of fertility, love and war.

Q.(e) How is the rain beautiful pearls?

Ans. Water droplets, when they fall down t., the earth from clouds, are pearly round and pearly white in the sunshine.

Q.(f) Who is Ishtar? What is the significance of Ishtar in the poem?

Ans. Ishtar is the goddess of fertility. Ishtar is significant in the poem because rain helps Nature to add its fertility.

Q.(g) Who plucks the pearly rain from the crown of Ishtar?

Ans. It is the daughter of Dawn that plucks the pearly rain from the crown of Ishtar.

Q.(h) What is being referred to as “pearls” in the above lines?

Ans. Raindrops are being referred to as “pearls” in the above lines.

Q.(i) Who is Ishtar?

Ishtar is the goddess of fertility.

Q.(j) Name the two poetic devices used in the above lines.

Ans. The poetic devices used in the above lines are personification and allusion.

(III)

When I cry the hills laugh;

When I humble myself the flowers rejoice;

When I bow, all things are related.

When the rain falls in torrents it is very noisy. When it is sound echoes in the hills they seem to be laughing. When it falls gently it gives a lot of joy to the delicate flowers. When it falls in all its humility and grace, it gladdens all hearts.

(a) What does ‘When I cry’ means?

Ans. ‘When I cry’ means when the rain falls.

Q.(b) Why do hills laugh when ‘I” cries’?

Ans. When ‘I” cries’, that is, when rain falls in torrents, it is very noisy. When it is sound echoes in the hills they seem to be laughing. Moreover, the hills feel very happy and they ‘laugh’ because their greenery is restored.

Q.(c) What sort of atmosphere is brought about when ‘I ‘cries’, ‘humbles’ and ‘bows’ itself?

Ans. I here am an atmosphere of joy and happiness all over when ‘I ‘cries, ‘humbles’ and ‘bows’ itself. That is when rainfalls in all its humility and grace, all hearts are gladdened.

Q.(d) Explain, “when I cry, the hills laugh when I humble – myself, the flowers rejoice.”.

Ans. Rain’s cry refers to downpour. When it rains on the parched hills they laugh with joy at the arrival of a long-awaited rain and flowers to rejoice, for they too can bloom and make the nature beautiful once again.

Q.(e) How does the rain help all things to be related?

Ans. Rain helps all things to come back to a normal existence and once again they are all made happy.

Q.(f) What happens when the rain shows its humility?

Ans. When the rain shows its humility and modesty, the flowers bloom and rejoice.

Q.(g) The rain plays the role of a messenger of mercy between the two lovers, the fields and clouds.

Ans. What role does the rain play between fields and clouds?

Q.(h) Name the poetic device used in the lines.

Ans. ‘Personification’ is the poetic device used in the lines.

(IV)

The field and the cloud are lovers

And between them, I am a messenger of mercy.

I quench the thirst of the one;

I cure the ailment of the other.

The fields and the clouds though far away from each other are lovers. The rain mercifully establishes the link between the two. The rain quenches the thirst of the fields and relieves the clouds of their weight of vapours. Thus it makes both of them comfortable.

Q.(a) Which two objects have been personified in the first line?

Ans. Field and cloud have been depicted as having a human emotion of love. Hence the two of them have been personified.

Q.(b) What attributes of self are highlighted by ‘I’ in the stanza?

Ans. ‘I’ brings out its sense of compassion, understanding, mercy and benevolence.

Q.(c) In the third and the fourth line who is ‘one’ and who is ‘the other’?

Ans. ‘One’ stands for the thirsty fields and ‘the other’ stands for the heavily vapour laden clouds.

Q.(d) How is the rain ‘a messenger of mercy’ for the ‘lovers’?

Ans. Rain is the ‘messenger of mercy’ as it quenches the thirst of the fields by watering them and cures the ailment of the clouds by releasing drops of water from heavily vapour laden clouds.

Q.(e) How is rain a messenger of mercy?

Ans. The rain is a messenger of mercy as it drenches the fields and makes the cloud lighter and brighter.

Q.(f) “I” quench the thirst of the one.” Whose thirst is quenched?

Ans. The thirst of the fields has been quenched.

Q.(g) “I cure the ailment of the other.” Who is ailing? What is the “ailment” being referred to?

Ans. The clouds are ailing. The “ailment” being referred to is the fact that they are swollen and heavy with water.

(h) How is the rain the messenger of mercy? Whom does the rain take the messages to?

Ans. Rain is a messenger of mercy between the field and the clouds, the two lovers. It is a messenger of mercy rather than of love because rain is nature’s merciful blessing for the earth. Rain takes the messages to and from the fields and the clouds.

Q.(i) Explain, “I quench the thirst of the one, I cure the ailment of the other.”

Ans. The two lovers, field and clouds, need the rain. The field is thirsty for the clouds’ mercy while the clouds suffer from the ailment that it cannot embrace the field. it is lover. When rain pours down, both the lovers are satisfied.

(V)

The voice of thunder declares my arrival;

The rainbow announces my departure.

I am like earthly life which begins at

The feet of the mad elements and ends

Under the upraised wings of death.

Thundering sounds declare the arrival of the rain and its departure is marked by the rainbow. They are a parallel between earthly life and the life cycle of the rain, It is born out of different elements of nature and eventually, it meets* its ‘death’.

Q.(a) What announces ‘ my arrival?

Ans. Clouds echoing the sky with the sound of thunder announce ‘my arrival.

Q.(b) What announces the departure of rain?

Ans. A rainbow announces the departure of rain.

Q.(c) Why has the poet used the word evoke’ rather than ‘noise for the thundering of clouds?

Ans. The poet has personified the clouds, The usage of ‘voice rather than ‘noise’ brings the clouds closer to the living objects rather than the non-living.

Q.(d) Quote the line where the poet has used onomatopoeia?

Ans. The voice of thunder declares my arrival’. Thunder’ is an onomatopoeic word.

Q.(f) How do sky react to the arrival of the rain?

Ans. Sky reacts to the arrival of rain by striking thunder and flashing lightning.

Q.(g) How is the rain similar to earthly life?

Ans. Birth of rain is similar to the birth of beings on the earth. Rain undergoes various processes and involvement of multiple elements just like the birth of beings such as animals. Rain turns back to water and then to vapour and then to solid ice before it turns to water again, similar to which is the life that turns from one stage to the other from one state to another.

Q.(h) What are the upraised wings of death for rain?

Ans. The upraised wing under which rain dies is probably the wings of the wind that blows the rain to a stop.

Q.(i) What are the mad elements from where life on earth begin?

Ans. The mad elements of life are probably those elements such as carbon, calcium, phosphorous, etc.

Q.(j) Who/what announces the arrival of rain?

Ans. The sound of thunder announces the arrival of rain.

Q.(k) What do “mad elements” refer to?

The stormy sky and the wind has been referred to as “mad elements”.

(l) What is it that ends under the upraised wings of death?

Rain, like earthly life, ends under the upraised wings of death.

(VI)

I emerge from the heart of the sea and

Soar with the breeze. When t see a field in

Need, l descend and embrace the flowers and

The trees in a million little ways,

Rain emerges in the vapours form from the sea. Next the breeze lifts it skywards, However, when it detects some thirsty fields it falls down.It washes the flowers with millions of drops of water.

Q.(a) Where does. ‘I’ originate from?

Ans. ‘I’ originates from the womb of the sea.

Q.(b) What makes ‘I’ rise up in the sky?

Ans. The breeze makes ‘ I ‘ rise up in the sky

Q.(c) What is meant by ‘a field in need’

Ans. ‘A field in need’ means a parched field badly in need of being watered.

Q.(d) Explain: “embrace the flowers and the trees in a million little ways”,

Ans. As numerous raindrop trickle down the flowers and trees, the poet imagines them to be washing them in a million little ways.

Q.(e) How does the stanza cover ‘I’ s entire-cycle?

Ans. The stanza begins with the rain emerging from the womb of the sea. It is then taken high up by the winds. Last, of all it drops down in the fields and thus, its- cycle is completed.

(f) How are the arrival and departure of the rain announced?

Ans. The thundering sound of lightning announces the arrival and the rainbow announces the departure of the rain.

Q.(g) Describe the poetic device used in the third line.

Ans. The poetic device used in the third line is a simile.

Q.(h) How and when does the rain oblige fields, flowers and trees?

Ans. When the rain sees fields, flowers and trees in need, it obliges them in a million little ways.

(VII)

I touch gently at the windows with my

Soft fingers and my announcement is a

Welcome song. All can hear, but only

The sensitive can understand,

The rain gently laps the window panes and announces its arrival. Everyone is thrilled. The sound of the rain is heard by everyone. however, this sound is interpreted correctly only by sensitive people.

Q.(a) Why does ‘I’ touch the window panes softly?

Ans. Since ‘I’, that is, rain falls in the form of water drops, it strikes the window panes and flows down. No jarring noise is created in the process. I fence it ‘touches’ the window panes gently.

Q.(b)How is l’s arrival taken by everyone?

Ans. l’s arrival brings joy to every heart. Hence it is welcomed by one and all.

Q.(c) Why can ‘all hear’ l’s arrival?

Ans. Though gentle, the sound created by the fall of the rain is loud enough for everyone to hear. Thus it is audible to everyone.

Q.(d) What happens when the speaker taps at the windows?

Ans. The rain taps against the windows to create music.

Q.(e) What does the narrator mean when he says ‘the sensitive’ in this context and what is it that only they can understand?

Ans. The narrator is referring to those who can understand the song of the rain. they are the ones he calls ‘the sensitive’.

(f) What kind of a poem is “The Song of the Rain”?

Ans. It is an autobiographical poem.

(g) Explain, “All can hear, but only the sensitive can understand.”

Ans. The poet believes that the wonderful beauty of rain can be enjoyed only by those who have a passionate love for Nature’s phenomena. Rain falls on everyone alike but its beauty is discovered only by those who love s (Poets and Writers are those sensitive ones and that is the reason why we, the non-sensitive, consider then insane!)

Q.(h) Pick out an instance of personification from the stanza. What is personified here?

Ans. The word “touch” in the first line is a personification. The rain says it touches the windows like a person who does so.

(VIII)

I am the sigh of the sea;

The laughter of the field;

The tears of heaven.

Rain rises as vapours from the sea, creating the illusion of sea breathing heavily and heaving sighs. As it quenches the thirst of the fields and it falls down like tears of joy from the sky,

Q.(a) Why does ‘I’ call itself ‘sigh of the sea’?

Ans. As rain rises as vapours from the sea, it creates an illusion as though the sea is breathing heavily and sighing. Hence it calls itself ‘sigh of the sea’.

Q.(b) Why does ‘I’ call itself the ‘laughter of the field’?

Ans. ‘I’ calls itself the laughter of the field because it refreshes the fields and makes them happy.

Q.(c) What does ‘tears of heaven’ refer to?

Ans.“Tears of heaven” refer to raindrops that fall from the sky and look like teardrops.

(d) How is rain the sigh of the sea?

Ans. Rain is the sigh of the sea because the sea heaves a sigh of pain at the departure of a part of it but at the same time another sigh of relief with the thought that it would return in the form of rain.

Q.(e) How is rain laughter in the fields?

Ans. Rain is the laughter of the dry fields because its arrival gives the new life and joy

Q.(f) How is rain tears of heaven?

Ans. Rain is the tears of heaven as it grieves the departure of the one that was part of it for some time inside the clouds.

(g) How does the rain touch the windows?

Ans. The rain touches the windows with its soft fingers.

Q.(h) Who can ‘hear’ and ‘understand’ the rain?

Ans. All can hear but only sensitive souls can understand the rain.

Q.(i) What is the rain for the sea, the fields and the sky?

Ans. It is the sight of the sea, the laughter of the field and tears of the sky.

(IX )

So with love-

Sighs from the deep sea of affection; Laughter from the colourful

field of the spirit; Tears from the endless heaven of memories.

The rain wishes with all its love, inhabitants of the world a lot of love from the deep sea of affection, peals of laughter from the colourful fields and delightful recollections from the storehouse of sweet memories.

Q.(a) What emotion of the rain is depicted in the above stanza?

Ans. The above stanza depicts rain’s love for the earth.

Q.(b) What does the rain offer from the ‘colourful field of the spirit’

Ans. The rain offers its laughter and joy.

Q.(c) What does rain bring out from the storehouse of sweet memories?

The rain brings out delightful recollections from the storehouse of sweet memories.

(d) What is the significance of the ending of the poem?

Ans.T he poem ends like a letter. The rain being the speaker, the poem appears to be a self-introducing letter by rain If we take this as the ending of a letter, look at the three who sign the letter: Sighs, Laughter and Tears! We can also notice the address of each: “Sighs are from the deep sea of affection,” “Laughter from the colourful field of spirit,” Tears from the endless heaven of memories.” So these are the three who sign this letter and now its • time to understand these lines deeper.

Q.(f) Explain Sighs.

Ans. A song, of course, needs sounds and corresponding feelings. Here, sighs and laughter are the two sounds. Note that sighs and laughter are slightly opposite and slightly related. We heave sighs at times of joyous relief and at times of desperate sadness.

Q.(g)Explain laughter.

Ans. Laughter is the other sound heard in the song of the rain. Colourful field of spirit can mean plenty of images but I think the poet is talking about the world of the dead—not the heaven or hell but the universe where, as the poet says, “I am like earthly life, which begins at the feet of the mad elements and ends under the upraised It wings of death” a world where everything falls dead and later comes back to life. You call also recall the poet referring the dry field to a lover. Now it comes clearer that the laughter comes from the colourful world of spirits. These spirits are laughing because rain, for them, brings life as well as death back. They are waiting for their rebirth!

Q.(h) Explain Tears

Ans. The third ones who sign the letter are tears and they are from the endless heaven of memories. No one has a stock of memories without tears. The heaven here is the vast sky where these memories are stored. When someone dies “under the upraised winds of death,” his tearful memories join the sky. Simply concluded, when it rains. together with the raindrops, there fall those tears and complete the song of the rain.

(6)

I emerge from the heart of the sea

Soar with the breeze. When I see a field in

Need, I descend and embrace the flowers and

The trees in a million little ways.

(a) What is a field in need?

Ans. A field in need is a dry, parched summer field that awaits rain.

Q.(b) What does rain mean by its million ways of embracing flowers?

Ans. Rain falls down in various ways. All the million drops that fall down are different in size, speed, tilt, length and many other qualities. They reach the earth at various times and creating various sounds.

(7)

The heat in the air gives birth to me,

But in turn, I kill it,

A woman overcomes a man with

The strength she takes from him.

(a) How does heat in the air give birth to rain?

Ans. It is the heat that evaporates the water into vapour, which is the birth of rain.

Q.(b) How does rain kill the one who begot it?

Ans. Rain is given birth by the heat but the very rain is able to cool the air.

Q.(c) Comment on the last two lines.

Ans. No comments as it has a number of meanings. Your comments are Weliiiiiita14-4

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Main Characters of the Story

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Very Short Answer Type Important Questions

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

(to be answered in about 40 words each)

Q1. Why does the rain call itself “the dotted silver threads”?

Ans. As the rain falls from the sky to the earth its shimmering drops look like sparkling dots. Since they fall in continuity they create an illusion of strings of droplets. Hence the rain calls itself dotted silver threads.

Q2. Why is the rain divine? (Textual)

Ans. The ram is the handiwork of gods. They send it from their own abode (heaven) to the surface of the earth. It revitalises and freshens the vegetation. Since it is the outcome of the gods’ grace, it is divine. Moreover, it has life-giving and healing powers, which only gods have.

Q3. How does Nature make rain an instrument of beautifying her fields and valleys?

Ans. The rain falls upon the earth and quenches the thirst of the parched land. Fields and valleys are rejuvenated. Colourful flowers bloom. Hence a beautiful landscape emerges and everything around is beautified. Thus, the rain is Nature’s instrument or means of beautifying itself.

Q4. The rain is conscious of its beauty. Comment.

Ans. As the shimmering drops of the rainfall, they look very beautiful. Conscious of this fact the rain dwells on its beauty and equates its drops to pearls. It further elaborates the beauty of these pearls saying that they have been plucked from the crown of Ishtar -the goddess of love, war, fertility and sex.

Q5. How do you think the rain quenches the thirst of the fields and cures the cloud’s ailment?

(Textual)

Ans. The thirsty fields crave for water. The rain generously falls on their surface and slakes their thirst. As it makes its descent, the cloud is relieved of the heaviness of vapours. That is how the ailment of the cloud is also cured.

Q6. The field and the cloud are lovers. How does the rain act as a messenger of mercy for them?

Ans. The two lovers, the cloud and the field, are far away from each other. It is the rain that establishes a link between the two of them. Apart from it, it mercifully quenches the thirst of the land and relieves the clouds of the weight of the vapours they need to shed.

Q7. Explain: The rain is heralded by thunder and the rainbow announces its departure.

Ans. Before the rain starts pouring, it is thunder that announces its arrival. The thundering sound comes with the promise of a shower and everybody looks forward to having a refreshing rain After the entire atmosphere is washed and cleansed by drops of rain – there appears a rainbow – that announces the departure of the rain.

Q8. “I am like earthly life…. .” Why does the poet call rain as earthly life? (Textual)

Ans. The poet introduces rain to the readers as something divine. However, he finds a parallel between its arrival and departure and birth and death of earthly beings. In both cases, life is transitory and the end is inevitable. Thus the rain compares itself to earthly life.

Q9. After emerging from the heart of the sea what does rain do?

Ans. Rain emerges from the heart of the sea in the form of vapours. These vapours, lifted skywards by the breeze, take the form of clouds. From the height of the skies when these clouds notice a parched and a thirsty field, they transform themselves into raindrops and pour down on the earth quenching its thirst.

Q10. How does the rain embrace flowers and trees in a million ways? (Textual)

Ans. The rains drench and wash all the flowers and trees dripping all over them. Moderate rain gladdens their heart and they rejoice with every single drop of rain. A gentle drizzle bathes them giving them a pleasurable sensation. Raindrops rest on the leaves, flowers branches and barks of the trees making them wet all over. Thus as the ‘rain’ falls it seems to be embracing them in a million ways.

Q11. Why is the rain’s announcement of its arrival a ‘welcome song’?

Ans. As the rain falls, it strikes the window panes of houses. Its pitter-patter produces a rhythmic and a musical sound which announces its arrival. This delightful sound gladdens every heart just like any song of greetings does. So it is welcome by one and all.

Q12. “Only the sensitive can understand.” What does the poet wish to convey? (Textual)

Ans. The rain produces a pitter-patter on the window panes. This sound is audible to one and all. However, its spirit and essence can be experienced only by those who are sensitive and have a depth of understanding. This sound just doesn’t fall on their ears but it touches their hearts.

Q13. In the universe, rain performs many functions. What are those? (Textual)

Ans. Rain – a beautiful element of nature contributes to the beautification of nature. It is nature’s instrument to embellish her fields and valleys. It gladdens every heart by revitalizing nature’s greenery and freshening her vegetation. It quenches the thirst of the parched land and spreads joy all over.

Q14. Explain the ending of the song. (Textual)

Ans. The rain is not just drops of water falling in continuity from the sky. It is a life-giving force that has been responsible for our existence, evolution and civilization. It is also a fountain-head of a whole lot of our emotions and feelings – love, affection, laughter and even tears. It is a vital link between the heaven and the earth; between the divine and earthly; between God and his creation.

Q15. Why does the poet call the raindrops ‘pearls’?

Ans. The poet calls the raindrops ‘pearls’ because of their shape, sparkle and preciousness. As they fall from the sky, one drop following the other, they look like a string of pearls. The poet feels they embellish nature just like pearls enhance a woman’s beauty. Thus, there is a great affinity between the raindrops and pearls.

Q16. What does the tone and mood of the rain in the poem reflect?

Ans. The tone and mood of the rain reflect its love for the earth. It highlights its beauty, benevolence, humility and joy. It also brings out its divinity.

(D) Short Answer Questions

1. What are the various comparisons that have been made for rain? Discuss

Ans. The comparison made for rain are—dotted silver threads—beautiful pearls—earthly life—sigh of the sea—the laughter of the field, the tears of heaven.

2. Discuss the theme of the poem ‘Song of the Rain’.

Ans. It is a song of rain. The poet has described in various beautiful ways calling it silver threads, a messenger of mercy, beautiful pearl drops, the sigh of the sea, laughter of the fields. The voice of thunder announces its arrival and the rainbow announces its departure. It satisfies the thirst of the field, it decorates the gardens. It makes the hills happy. It is a divine gift of God.

. Describe the cyclic nature of rain as described by the poet. How does it differ from its scientific version?

Ans. The poet describes the cyclic nature of rain through – -.The sigh of the sea refers to the process of evaporation of sea water-forming clouds, ‘a tear of rain’ refers to falling of raindrops from the sky, Thunder is the cry of the sky. The poet endows the rain with divine attributes, earthly beauty, human emotions. The scientific version is simply of evaporation, condensation and precipitation.

4. Why does the rain call itself ‘a messenger of mercy’?

Ans. The poet says that rain is a messenger of mercy for the fields and the clouds which are lovers. The fields are thirsty, the rain quenches their thirst the clouds are overburdened and it relieves them of the excess water.

5. How is the arrival and the departure of rain announced?

Ans. The rain is a divine gift of God and it proves very blessed for the parched fields. It beautifies, adorns and rejuvenates fields, trees, flowers and spreads vitality everywhere. Since it spreads joy and freshness all around the thunder announces its arrival and the rainbow in the sky announces the departure of the rain.

6. What does the poet say about the field and the cloud in the poem?

In the poem ‘Song of the Rain, how does rain help in establishing a bond between the field and the cloud?

Ans. The poet says that fields and the clouds are lovers. The fields are needy and, the clouds are bursting with moisture, the rain acts as a messenger of mercy for them It quenches the thirst of the fields and cures the ailment o clouds by relieving them of the moisture

7. How is the falling of rain like a ‘welcome song’?

Ans. The falling of rain is like a welcome song. It proves very blessed for the parched and needy earth. It spreads joy and freshness all around. It beautifies, adorns and rejuvenates fields, trees and flowers, and spreads vitality everywhere. It cements a relationship of love between fields and the clouds. It ties the earth and heaven in a spiritual bond.

Q.1. Who is the speaker of the poem? How does the speaker convey its value?

Ans. The speaker of the poem is the rain. Rain conveys its value by saying it is silver threads and pearls plucked from the crown of the Goddess Ishtar and sent to earth.

Q.2. Why is the rain divine?

Ans. The rain is divine as it comes from heaven. It is plucked from the crown of Ishtar. it gives new life to seeds.

Q.3. Who is Ishtar?

Ans. According to Babylonian mythology, Ishtar is the Goddess of fertility, love, war, and sex. She was the divine personification of the planet Venus.

Q.4. Why is rain sent to earth?

Ans. Rain is sent to earth to quench the thirst of the parched earth and to cause flowers to blossom and crops to grow in its gardens and fields.

Q.5. What actions of rain bring pleasure to others? Why?

Ans. When rain falls to the ground and humbles itself by falling from the sky on to the earth, all living things are happy.

Q.6. Why do you think rain is considered divine?

Ans. I think rain is considered divine because rain is required for many things including drinking water and for the cultivation of crops.

Q.7. How is rain like earthly life?

Ans. Just as life is created by the coming together of the five elements—air, earth, heat, water, and wind, the rain too is created when the earth and water are heated and water rises as vapour to the sky. When it rains, the sky and wind are stormy. At the time of death, the elements merge into elements and the soul ascends to heaven. Similarly, when rain falls, it merges with the water only to rise again as water vapour.

Q.8. “….AlI can hear, but only

The sensitive can understand”

What does the poet want to convey?

Ans. The poet wants to convey to us that many people hear the sound of the thunder but only a few sensitive people understand the power and great abilities that the rain possesses.

Q.9 What is the cyclic movement of rain that is brought out in the poem?

Ans. Rain rises from the sea and is carried to the sky by the wind. it forms clouds and when clouds become heavy with water, rain falls to the earth. Once rain falls to the ground, it rises again and is carried to the skies by the wind.

Q 10. In what way is rain’s coming to earth pleasure mixed with sorrow?

Ans. Rain comes to earth bringing joy. It causes fields and gardens to bloom. This makes it happy but it is saddened by memories of the heavens it left to come to earth.

Q 11. Why does the poet call rain as earthly life?

Ans. The poet calls the rain as earthly life because when it starts it brings joy in the same manner a new-born child gives joy to its parents and when it stops it causes sadness in the same manner that death causes grief.

Q 12. Explain the ending of the song.

Ans. The song ends with rain being filled with emotion and crying with endless memories that it had experienced.

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS SOLVED

SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS (30-40 WORDS)

Q I. How is the rain compared to ‘the silver threads’ and ‘beautiful pearls’?

Ans. The poet Kahlil Gibran presents some beautiful images of the rain. The shimmering drops of rain falling one after the other look like the ‘dotted silver threads’. It appears as if the gods themselves are dropping those silver threads from heaven. Similarly, the pure white drops of the rain are compared to the ‘beautiful pearls’ plucked from the crown of Ishtar. Both comparisons appear to be apt and logical.

Q2. Describe the beneficial effect of the rain on different objects of the earth.

Ans. When the rain blasts into showers, the hills laugh. Their vegetation gets a new base of life. When it falls ‘humbly’, the flowers rejoice its fall. When it arrives, all feel elated. Its ‘silver-threads’ adorn fields and valleys. Its ‘beautiful pearls’ decorate the gardens.

Q3. How does the rain act as a messenger of mercy?

Ans. Kahlil Gibran presents the rain as a messenger of mercy. It acts as a messenger between the two lovers—the cloud and the field. When the parched fields are thirsty, the rain provides immediate relief by quenching their thirst. Similarly, the rain relieves the clouds of their heaviness of vapours.

Q4. What is the song and music of the rain and why can only the sensitive understand it?

Ans. The rain has its own music. The very arrival of the rain is like a ‘welcome song’. Everyone can hear the welcome song of the rain. But there are very few who can feel, appreciate and understand this melodious music and song of the rain. Only people with sensitive and delicate hearts can appreciate and understand it.

Q5. Describe the ending of the poem. How does the rain associate itself with various objects of nature and emotions of human beings?

Ans. Kahlil Gibran gives a philosophical and emotional overtone while ending the poem. The rain becomes ‘the sigh’ of the sea, ‘the laughter’ of the field and ‘the tears’ of heaven. It sighs from the deep sea of love and affection. It makes the spirit of man rejoice and laugh. The poet calls it the tears that come down from the ‘endless heaven of memories’.

Q6. Justify the title ‘Song of the Rain’.

Ans. Kahlil Gibran captures the rain in various images, intensity and sounds. The rain can `ay’ when it is in full blast. It falls ‘humbly’ when it softly touches the flowers. When it ‘bows’, it is an occasion for all to be elated. The rain has its own music. Its very arrival is like a `welcome song’. Everyone can hear this music or song but only those with sensitive and delicate hearts can feel and understand it. Hence, the title ‘Song of the Rain’ is most appropriate and logical.

Important Long/ Detailed Answer Type Questions- to be answered in about 100 -150 words each

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS (BASED ON VALUES)

(to be answered in about 100 – 150 words each )

Q1. The poem “Song of the Rain” brings out the value of ‘benevolence’. How does benevolence of rain or of any other living being influence life on earth? What important lesson or value can we learn from this aspect of the rain?

Ans. ‘Benevolence’ is a life-sustaining force. It is a book that heals and brings cheer to the hurt, the deprived, the needy and the poor. Rain is benevolent in that it quenches the thirst of the fields, fills the water bodies and earth with water that nourishes the life of all. Rain is also benevolent in that it beautifies the world, rejuvenates nature, brings peace and music to the artist and adorns the earth. The most important lesson or value we can learn from the rain is that we must be benevolent in our actions and conduct, for kind actions provide physical essentials to some, mental peace to others and spiritual awakening to yet others. The virtue of benevolence binds all human beings together and even animals respond to affection positively. Benevolence creates, heals and beautifies life.

Q2. I am like earthly life which begins at

The feet of the mad elements and ends

Under the upraised wings of death.

On the basis of your understanding of the extract from the poem, “Song of the Rain,” analyse the following:

-the commonality between earthly life and the rain

– what the poet means by ‘mad elements’

What aspect of human life do these lines depict?

Does the rain complain about the transience of life? Why? Why not?

Ans. Both the rain and earthly life are born out of the elements of nature and both die rather soon after living a very short life. Thus in both the cases life is transitory and the end is inevitable.

Mad elements here refers to the tumult of the elements of nature

– air, water, heat, wind etc. that cause rain.

These lines depict the transience of human life. Just like the rain has a very short span of life, human life is also very short lived. It also is brought into existence by mad elements and snuffed out by death after due course of time.

No, I do not think the rain complains about her short-lived life.

She seems to be fully aware of the fact and is reconciled to it, for birth and death are controlled by God and that is how it ought to be.

Q3. What value is highlighted in the following lines from the poem “Song of the Rain”?

“… and my announcement is a

Welcome song. All can hear, but only

The sensitive can understand. “

Ans. The given lines bring out the value of aesthetic sensibilities. The gentle, melodious, rhythmic sound of the rain is heard by all but only some notice its music. These ‘some’ people have refined aesthetic abilities to appreciate gifts beyond the material plane. The aesthetic ability is the mother of all art – music, dance, painting, creative writing and countless other forms. Appreciating art for art’s sake and not for its utility lends the artist a unique capacity to absorb and reflect the creative spirit. Aesthetic practices nourish our higher senses, our soul and awaken our energies in a subtle manner. The beauty of life on earth owes its origin to aesthetic sense only.

Q4. “When I cry the hills laugh;

When I humble myself the flowers rejoice;

When I bow, all things are related.”

Cry, humble and bow indicate different intensity with which the rain falls. Explain the three in context. (Textual)

Ans. The rain has varied moods and degrees of intensity with which it falls. The poet has conveyed these moods and degrees of intensities with clever use of words like ‘cry’, ‘humble’ and ‘bow’. As it falls over the hills in torrents, it makes a loud noise and it seems to be crying loudly, shedding incessant tears. The abundance of rain gladdens the heart of the hills. The echo of the falling rain sounds like the laughter of the hills.

Next, the rain falls gently over the flower petals, which gives them a sensation of delight. By using the word ‘bow’ the rain describes how when it drizzles in utter humility it gives endless joy to everything around.

Thus the rain’s mood and its intensity with which it descends on earth determine the joy, laughter and colour in the world.

Q5. On the basis of your understanding of the poem “Song of the Rain,” write a speech to be delivered in the morning assembly of your school on the importance of rain in our life.

In your speech, you should say

how rain is formed and falls
why it is vital for life on earth
what human values it symbolizes

Ans.

Good Morning, Everybody!

My name is…………. and today I would like to share with you what according to Kahlil Gibran the importance of rain in our life is and what lessons or values we can learn from it. Well, Kahlil’s poem is a wonderful commentary on what rain is and why it is vital for the earth. There are many lessons that we can learn from it about which I will talk about in a while.

Let us, first of all, see what the poem says about the formation of the rain. Kahlil has demonstrated that scientific or natural phenomenon can also be lucidly and yet beautifully described in poetry. In the poem, the rain compares itself to silver threads that are dropped from heaven by the gods. At another place, it compares itself to beautiful pearls plucked from the Ishtar, the goddess of love. It emerges from the heat of the sea and soars with the breeze. It begins at the feet of the mad elements and descends on the earth and embraces flowers and trees in a million ways and gently touches the windows. Its arrival is a welcome song and it is announced by the thunder of clouds.

A word about the vitality of the rain to us, in fact to all life on the earth now! The rain is vital because it is the life-giving force. It regulates weather and climate, nourishes vegetation, brings cheer and relief to human beings and keeps the cycle of water moving uninterruptedly.

And finally what we can learn from the rain. Well, the rain has many values for human beings to imbibe from it – benevolence, self-less help, love and affection for others, treating all as equal and being useful to others. It also teaches us the importance of beauty in life.

Thank you!

Q6. What would rain mean to:

(a) People whose fields are affected by drought

It would be the most desirable thing for them. They pray for it, beg for it, offer sacrifices for it, and hold religious prayers and rituals for it. They would want to know why it was alluding them and how they can get it back.

(b) People whose fields and homes have been ravaged by floods

Such people would want rains to stop immediately or go away somewhere else. They would feel cursed to have got so much of rain that their fields and homes have been inundated. They would be a loss to know how to make good their losses. Perhaps, their faith in God will be shaken temporarily.

(c) People whose crops are ripe for harvesting

They would want the rains to stop immediately and not bother them until all their crops have been harvested and stored fully.

(d) People suffering from the intense heat wave

They will have their eyes glued to the sky in search of some dark patch of clouds. On their parched lips will be prayers to God to send some rains so that they could quench their, their children’s and their animals’ thirst.

Q7. Notice the imagery built around ‘sigh of the sea’, ‘laughter of the field’ and ‘tears of heaven’. Explain the three expressions in the context of rain?

Ans. The three expressions – ‘sigh of the sea’, ‘laughter of the field’ and ‘tears of heaven’ depict the different phases, tones and moods of the rain very vividly. ‘Sigh of the sea’ emits vapours that rise and move skyward. These vapours then turn into drops of rain and fall on the fields. Rainfall revitalises the greenery and freshens the vegetation that adds laughter and sunshine to the life in fields. Drops of rain falling from the sky appear to be tears of joy that heaven sheds to express its joy on seeing the earth’s delight. Thus nature sighs, laughs and sheds tears of joy when rain has an interaction with it. The three images lend a divine touch to the rain and reiterate the fact that it is the handiwork of gods. The fact that all the emotions of the rain are human in nature shows that the rain is as much a living being as human beings are.

Q8. “Song of the Rain” highlights the benevolent aspect of the rain. Imagining yourself to be rain describe your angry mood and bring out your malevolence?

Ans. Most of the times I pour down from heaven to bestow upon the world a sense of joy. I slake the parched land’s thirst and I am welcome by everyone. However, when I’m in a nasty mood, I forget all my benevolence. I fall down incessantly in torrents that cause anxiety and irritation to everyone. I pour down with unabated fury and bring about devastating floods that render many people homeless and claim many lives. I bring life to a standstill by submerging the roads and stranding people and vehicles on the roadside. Everything goes topsy-turvy. Apart from all this, my downpour results in landslides which are again responsible for causing great loss of life and property. Thus in my angry mood, I become an instrument of natural calamity and make life miserable for everyone.

(E) Long Answer Questions

. Write a short note on the pictorial aspect of the poem?

Ans. We can see the pictorial aspect of the poem throughout. The poet has used the poetic device of personification throughout. The rain tells its tale calling itself various things such as ‘dotted silver threads’, ‘beautiful pearls’. It describes its action by-when I cry the hills laugh—when I humble myself the flowers rejoice—when I bow all thing.; are elated. This describes the natural phenomena of thunder and falling of rain making the hills and- flowers rejoice —‘Voice of thunder’ The rainbow announces its departure—paints beautiful vivid pictures of rain—Again the lines-1 descend and embrace the flowers and the trees in a million ways’—paints a vivid picture of the rain falling over flowers and trees.

2. How does the poet impart a divine feel to rain? Why is it compared to the Goddess of fertility?

Ans. The poet imparts a divine feel to the rain by using such description as—”Silver threads dropped from heaven by the gods–“Nature then takes me to adorn her fields and valleys.” Again, see these lines—beautiful pearls, plucked from the crown of Ishtar (Goddess of fertility) by the daughter of Dawn. Thus above-mentioned description endows the rain with divine origin. It has been compared to the Goddess of fertility because when rain falls and waters the baked, dry earth, the thirsty fields and trees, they all get rejuvenated, multiply. i.e., they produce. Thus it acts as an agent of fertility.

3. Write an autobiography of rain.

Ans. I rain. I work under the divine aegis of God. God has endowed me certain duties which I perform religiously and happily. My main aim is to spread joy and happiness all around. I beautify, adorn and rejuvenate the fields. trees and flowers and spread vitality everywhere. Since I give joy to everyone my dear friend thunder announces my arrival and my friend rainbow appears in the sky when I depart. I am greatly pained to see the two lovers-fields and clouds–desperate to meet each other. I try to lessen their pain by acting as a messenger of mercy for them. Some people call me the ‘goddess of fertility’ because when I fall on dry fields and trees, they all get rejuvenated and out ‘ Despite all these divine qualities I am not proud of myself, I am just like an earthly being. Just like human being takes birth and die, I also have a beginning and an end.

The Rain.

Value Based Questions and Answers Of SONG OF THE RAIN

Value Based Questions and Answers

(F) Value Based Questions

1. How is the rain the ‘sigh of the sea, the laughter of the field and the tears of heaven’? Describe the various functions performed by the rain that affect the earthly life?

Ans. Kahlil Gibran presents the rain performing various fu net ions that affect the universe earth. Its dotted silver threads dropped from heaven look divine. Nature has sent it to decorate Her field and valleys

2. The poet uses different imageries that are quite unique such as a sigh of the sea and laughter of the field. Describe as to how these inanimate things in nature are able to perform such expression and what is their significance?

Ans. The poet uses a whole range of imageries which seems to make the inanimate alive. With the help of the poetic device called personification, the poet is able to make the rain speak about its role in our world. The sea is said to have sighed and the field to laugh. The poet tries to make an attempt to make the people understand that the rain is a vital part of this world and it is what makes the sea as well as makes the field happy because it quenches its thirst. It is significant because using such poetic devices, the poet is able to make all things real and tangible. He creates an imaginative and creative space where all things are alive and that nature itself is alive.

How is the rain the ‘sigh’ of the sea, the laughter of the field and the ‘tears’ of heaven? Describe the various functions performed by the rain that affect the earthly life.

Ans. Kahlil Gibran presents the rain performing various functions that affect the universe and life on the earth. Its dotted silver threads dropped from heaven look divine. Nature has sent it to decorate her fields and valleys. The cry of rain is a matter of rejoicing and laughter for the hills. They get a new lease on life. The vegetation, trees and rivulets are replenished. Its ‘humble’ showers make the flowers dance with joy. Everyone is elated when it bows and falls on the earth as a blessing. The rain acts as ‘a messenger of mercy’ between the two lovers, the field and the cloud. It quenches the thirst of the parched fields and relieves the clouds heaviness of vapours. The thunder marks its arrival and the rainbow announces its departure. It emerges from the sea and soars with the breeze. It embraces flowers, trees and other vegetation in ‘a million little ways’. The rain has its own music or song. Everyone can hear it but only a few can understand it. Only highly sensitive and delicate souls can feel and understand it. It is the `sigh’ of the sea, `the laughter’ of the field and ‘the tears’ of heaven.

Describe the various images, movements and sounds of the rain. How is the rain associated with the various objects of the earth and the emotions of human beings?

Ans. Kahlil Gibran presents the rain in all its glory, movements, sounds and colours. The very first image gives a divine touch to the rain. Its shimmering dotted silver threads are dropped from heaven by the gods themselves. In the next image, Gibran compares the rain to ‘beautiful white pearls’ plucked from the crown of Ishtar. Then in three images, the poet expresses the different intensity, movements and sounds of the rain. When it ‘cries’, the hills laugh. When it falls down in ‘humble’ and soft drops, the flowers rejoice. When it bows and spreads showers all around, everyone is ‘elated’. The ‘voice of thunder’ declares its arrival. The rainbow announces its departure. It emerges from the heart of the sea and soars with the breeze. It embraces flowers and trees in a ‘million little ways’. It is a ‘sigh’ of the sea. It is the ‘laughter’ of the field. It is ‘the tears of heaven’. The rain has its own music and song. It can be heard by all. But only a few can understand and feel its music or song. Only the sensitive and delicate souls and hearts can feel and understand the melodies of the rain.

Practice Time

Write an autobiography of rain.

Value points:

born out of the sea
travels in clouds
comes down to soothe parched fields and valleys
causes flowers to bloom
flows back to the sea
2. Draw parallels in rain and song.
comes from heaven/poetic inspiration
embellishes gardens/beautifies world
both have the power to elate—physical/spiritual ability to quench/satisfy
effects! millions of ways
pangs of creation
curing ailment
a domain of the sensitive
a gamut of emotion—tears, laughter, sigh

(D) Short Answer Questions

1. What are the various comparisons that have been made for rain? Discuss

Ans. The comparison made for rain are—dotted silver threads—beautiful pearls—earthly life—sigh of the sea—the laughter of the field, the tears of heaven.

2. Discuss the theme of the poem ‘Song of the Rain’.

Ans. It is a song of rain. The poet has described in various beautiful ways calling it silver threads, a messenger of mercy, beautiful pearl drops, the sigh of the sea, the laughter of the fields. The voice of thunder announces its arrival and the rainbow announces its departure. It satisfies the thirst of the field, it decorates the gardens. It makes the hills happy. It is a divine gift of God.

3. Describe the cyclic nature of rain as described by the poet. How does it differ from its scientific version?

4. Why does the rain call itself ‘a messenger of mercy’?

5. How are the arrival and the departure of rain announced?

6. What does the poet say about the field and the cloud in the poem?

In the poem ‘Song of the Rain, how does rain help in establishing a bond between the field and the cloud?

7. How is the falling of rain like a ‘welcome song’?

Q.1. Who is the speaker of the poem? How does the speaker convey its value?

Ans. The speaker of the poem is the rain. Rain conveys its value by saying it is silver threads and pearls plucked from the crown of the Goddess Ishtar and sent to earth.

Q.2. Why is the rain divine?

Ans. The rain is divine as it comes from heaven. It is plucked from the crown of Ishtar. it gives new life to seeds.

Q.3. Who is Ishtar?

Ans. According to Babylonian mythology, Ishtar is the Goddess of fertility, love, war, and sex. She was the divine personification of the planet Venus.

Q.4. Why is rain sent to earth?

Ans. Rain is sent to earth to quench the thirst of the parched earth and to cause flowers to blossom and crops to grow in its gardens and fields.

Q.5. What actions of rain bring pleasure to others? Why?

Ans. When rain falls to the ground and humbles itself by falling from the sky on to the earth, all living things are happy.

Q.6. Why do you think rain is considered divine?

Ans. I think rain is considered divine because rain is required for many things including drinking water and for the cultivation of crops.

Q.7. How is rain like earthly life?

Q.8. “….All can hear, but only

The sensitive can understand”

What does the poet want to convey?

Ans. The poet wants to convey to us that many people hear the sound of the thunder but only a few sensitive people understand the power and great abilities that the rain possesses.

Q.9 What is the cyclic movement of rain that is brought out in the poem?

Q 10. In what way is rain’s coming to earth pleasure mixed with sorrow?

Ans. Rain comes to earth bringing joy. It causes fields and gardens to bloom. This makes it happy but it is saddened by memories of the heavens it left to come to earth.

Q 11. Why does the poet call rain as earthly life?

Q 12. Explain the ending of the song.

Ans. The song ends with rain being filled with emotion and crying with endless memories that it had experienced.

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS SOLVED

SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS (30-40 WORDS)

Q I. How is the rain compared to ‘the silver threads’ and ‘beautiful pearls’?

Q2. Describe the beneficial effect of the rain on different objects of the earth.

Q3. How does the rain act as a messenger of mercy?

Q4. What is the song and music of the rain and why can only the sensitive understand it?

Q5. Describe the ending of the poem. How does the rain associate itself with various objects of nature and emotions of human beings?

Q6. Justify the title ‘Song of the Rain’.

Important Long/ Detailed Answer Type Questions- to be answered in about 100 -150 words each

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS (BASED ON VALUES)

(to be answered in about 100 – 150 words each )

Q2. I am like earthly life which begins at

The feet of the mad elements and ends

Under the upraised wings of death.

On the basis of your understanding of the extract from the poem, “Song of the Rain,” analyse the following:

-the commonality between earthly life and the rain

– what the poet means by ‘mad elements’

What aspect of human life do these lines depict?

Does the rain complain about the transience of life? Why? Why not?

Mad elements here refers to the tumult of the elements of nature

– air, water, heat, wind etc. that cause rain.

No, I do not think the rain complains about her short-lived life.

She seems to be fully aware of the fact and is reconciled to it, for birth and death are controlled by God and that is how it ought to be.

Q3. What value is highlighted in the following lines from the poem “Song of the Rain”?

“… and my announcement is a

Welcome song. All can hear, but only

The sensitive can understand. “

Q4. “When I cry the hills laugh;

When I humble myself the flowers rejoice;

When I bow, all things are related.”

Cry, humble and bow indicate different intensity with which the rain falls. Explain the three in context. (Textual)

Thus the rain’s mood and its intensity with which it descends on earth determine the joy, laughter and colour in the world.

Q5. On the basis of your understanding of the poem “Song of the Rain,” write a speech to be delivered in the morning assembly of your school on the importance of rain in our life.

In your speech, you should say

how rain is formed and falls
why it is vital for life on earth
what human values it symbolizes

Ans.

Good Morning, Everybody!

Thank you!

Q6. What would rain mean to:

(a) People whose fields are affected by drought

(b) People whose fields and homes have been ravaged by floods

(c) People whose crops are ripe for harvesting

They would want the rains to stop immediately and not bother them until all their crops have been harvested and stored fully.

(d) People suffering from an intense heat wave

Q7. Notice the imagery built around ‘sigh of the sea’, ‘laughter of the field’ and ‘tears of heaven’. Explain the three expressions in the context of rain?

Q8. “Song of the Rain” highlights the benevolent aspect of the rain. Imagining yourself to be rain describe your angry mood and bring out your malevolence?

(E) Long Answer Questions

1. Write a short note on the pictorial aspect of the poem?

2. How does the poet impart a divine feel to rain? Why is it compared to the Goddess of fertility?

3. Write an autobiography of rain.

The Rain.

Value Based Questions and Answers Of SONG OF THE RAIN

Value Based Questions and Answers

(F) Value Based Questions

1. How is the rain the ‘sigh of the sea, the laughter of the field and the tears of heaven’? Describe the various functions performed by the rain that affect the earthly life?

The poet uses different imageries that are quite unique such as a sigh of the sea and laughter of the field. Describe as to how these inanimate things in nature are able to perform such expression and what is their significance?

3. How is the rain the ‘sigh’ of the sea, the laughter of the field and the ‘tears’ of heaven? Describe the various functions performed by the rain that affect the earthly life.

4. Describe the various images, movements and sounds of the rain. How is the rain associated with the various objects of the earth and the emotions of human beings?

Practice Time

Write an autobiography of rain.

Value points:

born out of the sea
travels in clouds
comes down to soothe parched fields and valleys
causes flowers to bloom
flows back to the sea
2. Draw parallels in rain and song.

comes from heaven/poetic inspiration
embellishes gardens/beautifies world
both have the power to elate—physical/spiritual ability to quench/satisfy
effects! millions of ways
pangs of creation
curing ailment
a domain of the sensitive
the gamut of emotion—tears, laughter, sigh