Figure of Speech in The Voice of the Rain Class 11 Hornbill In-Depth Analysis | Figures of Language

Here is The Voice of the Rain, a detailed exploration and explanation of the figure of speech and its many facets.  In this post, we have explained various examples of figurative speech, providing a comprehensive understanding of The Voice of the Rain in terms of all Poetic Device. We have also told the reason why a particular figure of speech occurs in a particular line. This is going to help the children of various classes Class XI. Dive in for figure of speech examples- 

Figure of Speech in The Voice of the Rain Stanza 1

And who art thou? said I to the soft-falling shower,
Which, strange to tell, gave me an answer, as here translated:
I am the Poem of Earth, said the voice of the rain,
Eternal I rise impalpable out of the land and the bottomless sea,

1. Figure of Speech- Personification
Exact Line: “Which, strange to tell, gave me an answer,”
Reason: Rain is personified as having the human ability to communicate.

2. Figure of Speech- Imagery
Exact Line: “soft-falling shower”
Reason: This phrase creates a vivid sensory experience of the rain.

3. Figure of Speech- Hyperbole
Exact Line: “the bottomless sea,”
Reason: The term “bottomless sea” exaggerates the depth of the sea, emphasizing the vastness of the rain’s source.

4. Figure of Speech: Metaphor
Exact Line: “I am the Poem of Earth, said the voice of the rain,”
Reason: Rain is metaphorically described as the “Poem of Earth,” suggesting a natural expression of the Earth.

5. Figure of Speech: Apostrophe
Exact Line: “And who art thou? said I to the soft-falling shower,”
Reason: The speaker is addressing the rain, an inanimate natural phenomenon, as if it could respond, which is an example of apostrophe.

6. Figure of Speech: Alliteration
Exact Line: “soft-falling shower”
Reason: The repetition of the ‘s’ sound in “soft” and “shower” creates a rhythmic effect, typical of alliteration.

Also Read:

The Voice of the Rain Poetic Device Stanza- 2

Upward to heaven, whence, vaguely form’d, 
Altogether changed, and yet the same,
I descend to lave the droughts, atomies, dust-layers of the globe,
And all that in them without me were seeds only, latent, unborn;

1- Figure of Speech:  Metaphor
Exact Line: “Upward to heaven, whence, vaguely form’d,”
Reason: The upward movement of the rain to heaven is a metaphor for the evaporation process in the water cycle, but it also symbolizes a spiritual or creative ascent.

2- Figure of Speech:  Paradox
Exact Line: “Altogether changed, and yet the same,”
Reason: This line presents a paradox, stating that something can be completely transformed while still retaining its essence. It reflects on the nature of the rain (and metaphorically, poetry) as it changes form but remains fundamentally the same.

3- Figure of Speech:  Personification
Exact Line: “I descend to lave the droughts, atomies, dust-layers of the globe,”
Reason: The rain is personified as it ‘descends to lave.’ Laving, or washing, is a human action attributed to the rain, indicating its nurturing and cleansing role.

4- Figure of Speech:  Synecdoche
Exact Line: “droughts, atomies, dust-layers of the globe,”
Reason: Here, specific elements of the earth (droughts, atomies, dust-layers) are used to represent the whole of the Earth’s surface, emphasizing the widespread impact of rain.

5-  Figure of Speech: Imagery
Exact Line: “droughts, atomies, dust-layers of the globe,”
Reason: This line creates a vivid image of the earth’s surface, parched and covered in dust, awaiting the rejuvenating touch of rain.

6- Figure of Speech: Metonymy
Exact Line: “seeds only, latent, unborn;”
Reason: The use of “seeds” to represent potential life or growth is an example of metonymy. Seeds stand for all forms of latent life that require rain to be activated.

Also Read:

Figures of Speech Poem – The Voice of the Rain Stanza- 3

And forever, by day and night, I give back life to my own origin,
And make pure and beautify it;
(For song, issuing from its birth-place, after fulfillment, wandering
Reck’d or unreck’d, duly with love returns.)

1. Figure of Speech:  Personification
Exact Line: “I give back life to my own origin,”
Reason: The rain is personified as it is described as giving life, a human-like act of nurturing and rejuvenation.

2. Figure of Speech:  Symbolis
Exact Line: “And forever, by day and night,”
Reason: The phrase symbolizes the continuous and eternal cycle of the rain, representing the unending processes of nature.

3. Figure of Speech:  Imagery
Exact Line: “by day and night, I give back life to my own origin,”
Reason: This line creates a vivid image of the constant, nurturing presence of rain, emphasizing its role in sustaining life.

4. Figure of Speech: Alliteration
Exact Line: “For song, issuing from its birth-place,”
Reason: The repetition of the ‘s’ sound in “song” and “issuing” and ‘b’ sound in “birth-place” creates a rhythmic effect, typical of alliteration.

5. Figure of Speech: Paradox
Exact Line: “Reck’d or unreck’d, duly with love returns.”
Reason: This line presents a paradox as it implies the rain’s return with love, regardless of whether it is noticed or unnoticed, appreciated or unappreciated.