The Voice of the Rain Summary

The Voice of the Rain written by Walt Whitman is a literary device included in the class 11 syllabus of the CBSE board. The poem presents a dialogue between the poet and the rain itself. The rain epitomizes herself. She describes her importance for Mother Earth and the blessings she showers upon its people. In The Voice of the Rain poem, the rain symbolizes perpetual periodic lifestyle and how it returns to its origin, making it beautiful and pure and giving it life. A complete summary of the Voice of the Rain poem has been provided below. 

The Voice of the Rain Class 11 – A Short Summary

The summary of the poem, The Voice of the Rain signifies the everlasting role that rain plays in nourishing, quenching, purifying and nurturing the different elements of Mother Earth. 

The poet recalls his conversation with the falling rain. The poet asks the rain, “And who art thou?” to which the rain replies by calling herself to be the poet of the Earth. The rain then goes on to describe how it rises from the land and then floats up above heaven, where it eventually changes its form and becomes clouds. Then again cyclically, it falls back to the Earth and refreshes the dry patched lands, allowing the seeds to grow into a beautiful sapling.

The poet finds a similarity between the music and rain. He feels that both share similar features. He feels both music and rain take birth from the heart of the Earth and after fulfilling its deed returns to its soul. He tells us that the soft and light music of rain is a song of the Earth itself.

The Voice of the Rain Summary Class 11 - Brief Explanation

The Voice of The Rain poem celebrates the rain and its accompanying cyclic movement that supports the various beings on the earth. Here the poet recalls his conversation with the falling rain. He asks the rain, “And who art thou?” to which the rain calls itself to be the poet of the Earth. The rain then explains that it takes birth from the water bodies of the Earth and then rises upward in the form of intangible vapors. It then reaches upward towards heaven in the form of impalpable clouds. But its core remains the same as it returns to the place where it takes birth from. It returns to Mother Earth as rain and washes away all the dirt and blooms the drought-ridden drylands. 

In Voice of the Rain class 11 summary, the poet compares rain with music. He says that there is a very important connection and similarity between the two. A song that is composed by a human is born from the soul of the person. Its birthplace is the poet’s heart. After wandering from one person to another it returns to the person with all due love of the listeners. Just like that the rain arises from the earth and forms vapor in the sky. Then the clouds burst and it fell in the form of rain coming back to its origin.

The Voice of The Rain explanation has thus been provided.

The Voice of the Rain Line by Line Explanation

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,

In the above lines, the poet asks the rain, “Who are you?” To this, the rain replies that it is the poem of the Earth and that it rose from the Earth and its water bodies in the form of vapors.

“Upward to heaven, whence, vaguely formed, altogether changed, and yet the same,

I descend to leave the droughts, atoms, dust-layers of the globe,

And all that in them without me were seeds only, latent, unborn;”

The rain explains to the poet that it rises from the earth in the form of vapor. It also mentions that it remains the same, although its form changes. The rain returns to earth to wash away small particles. It also gives life to the seeds by making the plant.

“And forever, by day and night, I give back life to my origin,

And make pure and beautify it;

(For the song, issuing from its birth-place, after fulfilment, wandering

Reck’d or unchecked, duly with love returns.)”

Reck’d or unchecked – it means whether cared for or not cared for. It doesn’t affect the rain nor the poet if someone listened to the rain or not. The rain says that it provides life, enrichment, water and care to its origin. It keeps providing purity and beauty to earth and prepares its life cycle.

Further Exploration:

For a deeper understanding of the poem, students can explore the following avenues:

• Symbolism: Analyze the symbolism of clouds, rain, and the earth, and how they contribute to the poem's meaning.

• Literary Devices: Identify and discuss the use of personification, metaphors, and imagery in the poem.

• Comparative Analysis: Compare "The Voice of the Rain" with other poems that celebrate nature, such as William Wordsworth's "I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud" or Percy Bysshe Shelley's "Ode to the West Wind."

• Environmental Awareness: Discuss the poem's relevance in the context of contemporary environmental concerns and the importance of sustainable practices.

By delving into these areas, students can gain a richer understanding of "The Voice of the Rain" and appreciate its enduring message about the power and beauty of nature.

Conclusion

Walt Whitman's "The Voice of the Rain" is a poem that grows with each reading. Its simple language belies a depth of meaning, offering students a rich window into the interconnectedness of nature, the power of language, and the humble beauty of our place in the universe. By delving into its metaphors, imagery, and themes, students can cultivate a deeper appreciation for the poetry that surrounds them, both in nature and in the written word. As they learn to listen to the "voice of the rain," they may find their own voices awakened, ready to sing their own unique song within the ever-evolving symphony of life.