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- On the basis of your understanding of the poem, answer the following questions by ticking the correct choice.
(a) The rain calls itself the ‘dotted silver threads’ as_________.
(i) the shimmering drops fall one after the other
(ii) it ties heaven and earth
(iii) it dots the earth with shimmering water
(iv) it decorates the fields
Answer
(i) the shimmering drops fall one after the other
(b) The tone and mood of the rain in the poem reflect its_________.
(i) love for the earth
(ii) desire to take revenge
(iii) merriment as it destroys
(iv) desire to look beautiful
Answer
(i) love for the earth
(a) Why is the rain divine?
Answer
The rain appears to be divine because it comes down from heaven. The shimmering drops of rain look like silver threads dropped from heaven from the gods. Moreover, it is a life-giving force that elates and smiles all flowers, fields and valleys.
(b) In this universe, rain performs many functions. What are those?
Answer
The functions which are performed by rain are:
→ Rain quenches the thirst of fields.
→ It fills fields and valleys with a new life.
→ It produces sweet music as it beats against windows and the leaves of trees.
→ It fills every heart with joy.
(c) “When I cry the hills laugh;
When I humble myself the flowers rejoice;
When I bow, all things are elated.”
Cry, humble and bow indicate different intensity with which the rain falls. Explain the three in context.
Answer
‘Cry’ indicates that rain falls heavily on the hills.
‘Humble’ indicates that rain falls gently and softly
‘Bow’ indicates sprinkle of rain.
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(d) How do you think the rain quenches the thirst of the fields and cures clouds ailment?
Answer
Naturally, when the rain falls it quenches the thirst of fields. The parched fields only wait for the rain. The rain cures the aliment of clouds. It means the clouds become heavy and want to burst. But when it rains, they empty themselves into showers and become light again to float in the sky.
(e) Think about million little ways in which the rain embraces the trees. Mention a few of them.
Answer
The poet says that the rain falls embraces the trees in about million little ways. It is just a hyperbolic expression. The rain embraces the trees when the showers or drops of rain fall on them. The showers fall on the trees and go deep into their roots. Even, rivers, lakes and drains carry rain water that reaches plants and trees.
(f) “…All can hear, but only
The sensitive can understand”
What does the poet want to convey?
Answer
According to the poet, everyone can hear its sound. But very few can sense or understand its blessed nature.Only a few like the poet are sensitive to the rain and are inspired by its every mood.
The poet, for example, appreciates its beauty and uses expressions like ‘the sigh of the sea’, ‘the laughter of the field’ and ‘the tears from heaven’ to describe the rain.
(g) (i) Notice the imagery built around ‘sigh of the sea’, ‘laughter of the field’ and ‘tears of heaven’. Explain the three expressions in context of rain.
Answer
The poet has used vivid imagery throughout the poem to express the moods and nature of the Rain.
► When the poet calls the Rain “sigh of the sea”, there is a relief expressed in the lines. The sea is relieved and sighs that now that it has rained there will be fresh water brought to it by the rivers that run down the hills and mountains.
► The poet calls the Rain “a laughter of the field” because when it rains the fields are nourished and it is a sign that there will be fertility. So, it brings greenery and prosperity and raises the productivity. So, the fields are happy and they laugh and make merry.
► The Rain is also called “tears of heaven” as when those silver threads pour down from the sky’s tomb, it feels as if the heaven is crying, and those drops are delivered to the nature on the Earth by the hands of God.
(ii) How would you express rain as − an agent of floods?
− a source of water for dams?
Answer
► an agent of floods- When there are heavy rains, especially during rainy season, the rivers overflow and break leaves, there is water logging and the areas below the sea level are submerged causing floods.
► a source of water for dams- Rains cause the gullies in the mountains to fill with the water, these act as tributaries to a river. Thus, the more tributaries a river has, the more water it will carry. Thus, the dam on the river will have a healthy amount of water in its reservoir. So, there will be a healthy output of electricity.
(h) “I am like earthly life … “
Why does the poet call rain as earthly life?
Answer
Just like everything on earth is born and dies, so does rain. It is referred to as earthly life because it has beginning and comes to an end too. It begins at the bottom of the mad elements and ends under the lofted wings of death.
(i) Explain the ending of the song.
Answer
At the end of the poem, the rain declares affectionately that it is the sigh of the deep sea, the laughter of the colourful fields and the tears of the sky. When the rain falls in the sea, it (the sea) sighs. When the rain falls on the fields and quenches their thirst, the fields rejoice, become colourful and feel happy. When the cloud bursts, it becomes rain. The cloud dies and the drops of rain (tears of the heaven) fall on the earth.
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