Poem 3 - The Voice of the Rain

This article will help you to learn about the summary, characters and theme of the NCERT Class 11 English Hornbill – The Voice of the Rain. It will help you to understand the gist of the poem and the important phrases used. To find answers to questions related to this poem, you can download The Voice of the Rain NCERT Solutions PDF.

If you are looking for this poem’s explanation, read The Voice of the Rain Class 11 Summary

The poem ‘The Voice of the Rain’ by Walt Whitman is a beautiful poem which talks about rain. Here, the poet celebrates rain and talks about the water cycle that supports life on Earth. The poet talks about his imagination about a conversation with the raindrops. He says he asked the raindrops  ‘And who art thou?’ which means ‘Who are you?’ and to his surprise, the rain replies to him calling itself ‘The Poem of the Earth’.

The poet describes the scientific process of the water cycle beautifully in a poetic manner. He talks about the water being evaporated from the Earth and deep water bodies. The water in the form of vapour rises in the sky and turns into clouds which remain there. This state of water is transformed and turns into clouds that are far above the reach of anyone. The poet feels that though the state has changed, internally it remains the same as it was at birth.

Then, the poet talks about how the clouds pour in the form of rain, and the water returns to its origin – the Earth. The water which had evaporated returns to Earth as raindrops, washing away the dirt and rejuvenates the dry land.

The poet shows the cycle of water returning to its birthplace after wandering. While returning it brings joy and washes away the dust from the Earth. This shows that the good always comes back with positivity and brings joy along with it.

Besides, the poet also describes the perpetual nature of rain and how the cycle keeps life going. The rain is the source of nourishment for the seeds to grow. It is the reason for a new life of plants that grow from beneath the surface of the land. This shows how water which evaporates from land brings back life to its origin.

It is a beautiful poem with a very thoughtful meaning behind it. The rainfall is a season for many to rejoice, it flourishes the land and helps plants to grow. This is usually a neglected concept as it is a never-ending process and we don’t realise the importance of water and rain until a chronic shortage arises. This poem helps you to understand nature and its process and how it plays a vital role in our lives.

To know more on NCERT Solutions of Voice of the Rain, refer to NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English Hornbill PDF.

Click on the links below to browse The Voice of the Rain extra question and answers Class 11.