Mahatma Global Gateway
(Affiliated to Central Board of Secondary Education, New Delhi)
Rain on the Roof by Coates Kinney- Notes
I. Answer the following:
1. 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.
2. What does the poet want to do when it rains?
‘Answer: When it rains, the poet wants to lie snugly in his cosy cottage with a soft pillow under
his head. He wants to enjoy the rhythmic, soft music of the raindrops falling on the roof.
3. According to the poet, what is nature’s mood in ‘rainy darkness’?
Answer: The poet shows the darkness to be in a melancholy or sad mood. This sadness is further
heightened when the poet shows the darkness to be weeping and shedding tears in the form of
raindrops.
4. 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.
5. Is the rain referred to in the poem a heavy downpour?
Answer: No, the rain referred to in the poem is not a heavy downpour. Instead, itis soft and
gentle as is obvious from the pattering sound made by it while falling on the roof.
6. What is the impact of the tinkle of the raindrops on the poet’s heart?
‘Answer: The tinkle of the raindrops echo in the heart of the poet as if his heartbeat responds to
every sound of the rain by its rhythm. Moreover, the rain kindles many memories in the poet’s
mind and he gets lost in dreamy imagination.
7. Which distinctive memory is revived in the poet’s mind?
Answer: The single major memory that comes distinctly to the poet or his mother. The rainMahatma Global Gateway
{Affiliated to Central Board of Secondary Education, New Delhi)
Rain on the Roof by Coates Kinney- Notes
I. Answer the following:
1, 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.
2. What does the poet want to do when it rains?
Answer: When it rains, the poet wants to lie snugly in his cosy cottage with a soft pillow under
his head. He wants to enjoy the rhythmic, soft music of the raindrops falling on the roof.
3. According to the poet, what is nature’s mood in ‘rainy darkness’?
Answer: The poet shows the darkness to be in a melancholy or sad mood. This sadness is further
heightened when the poet shows the darkness to be weeping and shedding tears in the form of
raindrops.
4, 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.
5. Is the rain referred to in the poem a heavy downpour?
Answer: No, the rain referred to in the poem is not a heavy downpour, Instead, itis soft and
gentle as is obvious from the pattering sound made by it while falling on the roof.
6. What is the impact of the tinkle of the raindrops on the poet's heart?
Answer: The tinkle of the raindrops echo in the heart of the poet as if his heartbeat responds to
every sound of the rain by its rhythm. Moreover, the rain kindles many memories in the poet’s
mind and he gets lost in dreamy imagination.
7. Which distinctive memory is revived in the poet's mind?
Answer: The single major memory that comes distinctly to the poet or his mother. The rain
Mahatma Global Gateway
(Affiliated to Central Board of Secondary Education. New Delhi)