NCERT Solutions For Class 9 English Poem Chapter 3: Rain on the Roof

Composed by Coates Kinney, "Rain on the Roof" reflects the tranquil and nostalgic mood rain invokes in the poet's heart. The poet compares raining to "humid clouds" gently weeping. The gentle sound of the rain lulls the poet into a tranquil state. He expresses how blissful it is to lay on the bed and listen to the gentle pitter-patter sounds made by the rain falling on the roof. He states that each sound made by the rain echoes in his heart. The tranquillity induced by the rain is so potent that it even puts the "busy being" into a state of "thousand dreaming fancies". A wave of nostalgia washes over the poet when his mind and heart is calmed by listening to the gentleness of the rain. "A thousand recollections" start weaving in his mind.

He recollects the memories of his very dear mother, who is no longer alive. The poet narrates his memory of how his mother would let him sleep past day-break to regard his dreams. He refers to himself by using the expression "darling dreamers"; he uses this expression to describe how his mother felt about him. Reminiscing about this memory on a tranquil day makes the poet feel his mother's loving gaze on him even now.

The poem reflects the nostalgic feeling induced by a tranquil mind. Only when the mind is calm, we reflect on our memories and actions. Our human nature does not allow us to think of past memories when we are busy day-to-day. It is on rare quiet days we get the chance to rest our mind and body to lament over old memories. Our imagination is also much more potent when our mind is calm.