Class 11 English Hornbill The Voice of the Rain (Walt Whitman)

 

NCERT Solutions For Class 11 English

Hornbill

The Voice of the Rain (Walt Whitman)

CONTENTS

Ø Theme

Ø Summary

Ø Poetic Device

Ø Stanza based Q-Ans

Ø Question Answers

Ø Word Meaning

 

Theme/Central idea

 

The poem 'The Voice of the Rain' by Walt Whitman explores the enduring significance of rain in fostering, satiating, and cleansing Earth's diverse elements.

In its cyclical journey, rain reciprocates to its source, rising imperceptibly from water and land depths. The poem unfolds the rain's self-disclosure regarding its origins, purposeful actions, and rhythmic motion. Additionally, a parallel is drawn between rain and music, highlighting how both infuse vitality into the world before returning to their points of origin, having fulfilled their respective purposes.

Summary

In the poem, the poet inquires of the gentle shower, 'Who are you?' to which the rain responds, declaring itself as the poem of the earth. It seems peculiar for rain to engage in such a conversation with the poet. The rain elucidates that it exists beyond touch, emerging as water vapor from the land and boundless sea, undergoing shape-shifting while maintaining its essence. Through condensation, the vapor transforms into clouds.

Upon descending to the earth's surface, the rain serves vital roles: alleviating drought-prone areas, enhancing the beauty and purity of its birthplace, and nurturing the seeds within the soil, fostering their growth. Indifferent to acknowledgment, the rain dutifully carries out its tasks, returning home upon completion.

The poet draws a parallel between rain and a song, noting their shared journey. Like a song originating from the singer's heart, traversing to fulfill its purpose, and returning with the singer's affection, the rain follows a similar course.

 

Poetic Device

1. Hyperbole - overstated declarations Endless sea
2. Imagery - pictorial depiction of something Gentle rain shower
3. Metaphor - an implicit analogy between the attributes of distinct things I am the Verse of Earth - likening rain to a poem
4. Personification - attributing living qualities to a non-living entity in the statement The voice of the rain declared, "I am the Verse of Earth."

Top of Form

 

Stanza based Q-Ans

 

Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow.

 

Stanza 1

 

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,

Upwards to heaven, whence, vaguely form’d, altogether Changed, and yet the same.

 

Q1. What is the meaning of the phrase 'Strange to tell'?

Ans. The expression 'Strange to tell' signifies that receiving a response from the lifeless raindrops is an unusual and remarkable occurrence.

 

Q2. How has the response been communicated to us, and what is it?

Ans. The poet has employed personification by attributing human qualities to a raindrop, serving as the medium for the response. The personified raindrop declares itself as the "Poem of the Planet" in reply to the poet's question.

 

Q3. Why does the rain refer to itself as 'eternal'?

Ans. The rain labels itself as eternal because the continuous and unending process of its formation contributes to a timeless and everlasting existence.

 

Q4. Explain 'vaguely formed.'

Ans. The term "vaguely formed" describes the creation of clouds filled with rainwater vapor. These clouds lack a distinct and well-defined shape, resulting in the rain assuming an indistinct appearance.

 

Q5. Explain 'altogether Changed, and yet the Same.'

Ans. This expression conveys that rain is shaped by raindrops in the sky. Despite undergoing a change in form, their fundamental nature remains unaltered.

 

Stanza 2

 

 Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow.

I descend to leave the droughts, Atomies, dust layers of the globe,

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

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

And make pure and beautify it.

(For song, issuing from its birth-place, after fulfilment, wandering Reck’d or unreck’d, duly with love returns)

Q1. For what purpose does the rain descend from the sky?

Ans. Raindrops fall from the sky with the purpose of reviving the Earth, which is experiencing dryness and drought.

 

Q2. How does the rain assist the seeds?

Ans. Rain is instrumental in aiding seeds. When rain is absent, seeds remain dormant, unable to sprout. The water provided by rain becomes essential for their germination and the subsequent growth into new plants.

 

Q3. Why has the poet likened the rain to a song?

Ans. The poet draws a comparison between the life cycle of raindrops and a song, asserting that both return to their origin upon completing their respective duties. In their journeys, they both contribute to the healing and beautification of the Earth and the human heart.

 

Q4. Why are the final lines enclosed in brackets?

Ans. The last lines are bracketed as they do not represent the voices of either the rain or the poet. Instead, they encapsulate a broad observation made by the poet concerning the evolution of a song.

 

Q5. Where does the song find its way back to?

Ans. The song returns to its point of origin, namely, to the poet's heart.

 

Stanza 3

 

Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow.

“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,”

 

What distinguishes the two 'I' in the provided lines?

A. One belongs to the poet, and the other belongs to the rain.

B. One is filled with love, while the other is marked by surprise.

C. One poses the question, and the other provides the answer.

D. Both A and C

Ans. D

 

The poet explicitly mentions that the response comes from 'The Voice of the Rain.' The emphasis on the voice of rain introduces an element of ………… to the poem.

A. mystery

B. thrill

C. drama

D. doubt

Ans. A. mystery

 

What is meant by the phrase 'strange to tell'?

A. Unusualness of the answer for the poet

B. Stupidness of the answer for the earth

C. Ordinariness of the answer for the poet

D. Commonness of the answer for the raindrops

Ans. A. Unusualness of the answer for the poet

 

The two voices in the poem belong to-

A. rain and the poet

B. Translator

C. Advocate of rain

D. Rain itself

Ans. A. rain and the poetD.

 

Stanza 4

 

Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow.

“Eternal I rise impalpable out of the land and the bottomless sea,

Upward to heaven, whence, vaguely form’d, altogether changed, and yet the same,

I descend to lave the droughts, atomies, dust-layers of the globe,

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

Where does the rain have its origin?

A. Clouds and land

B. Land and sea

C. Sky and sea

D. Sky and land

Ans. B. Land and sea

 

What transpires to the raindrops in the sky?

A. They alter their form

B. They evaporate into air

C. They vanish from earth

D. Nothing

Ans. A. They alter their form

 

For what purpose does the rain descend from the sky?

A. To destroy crops

B. To flatter the poet

C. To entertain the earth

D. To give life to the planet

Ans. D. To give life to the planet

 

What do 'latent' and 'unborn' refer to?

A. Flowers

B. Plants

C. Earth

D. Seeds

Ans. D. Seeds

 

Which quality of rain is emphasized in the extract?

A. Entertainer

B. Healer

C. Preserver

D. Caregiver

Ans. B. Healer

Question Answers

 

Question 1:

In the poem, there exist two distinct voices. To whom do these voices belong, and which lines in the poem indicate this?

Answer:

The two voices present in the poem belong to the poet and the rain. The poet raises the question, 'who art thou?,' and the voice of the rain responds with, 'I am the Poem of Earth.'

 

Question 2:

What does the phrase 'strange to tell' mean?

Answer:

The poet employs the phrase 'strange to tell' to convey his astonishment. It underscores the mystery surrounding how the rain can articulate in a human voice.

 

Question 3:

A parallel is drawn between rain and music. Which words indicate this? Explain the similarity between the two.

Answer:

The words indicating the parallel between rain and music are that the rain identifies itself as the Poem of Earth. In a comparable manner, both rain and music are intangible, eternal, bring joy and beauty to the earth, and vanish after fulfilling their respective purposes.

 

Question 4:

How is the cyclic movement of rain portrayed in the poem?

Answer:

The cyclic movement of rain is elucidated by explaining the origin of clouds. Born out of the union of earth and sky, sun and water, water transforms into vapor, rises, and becomes a dark cloud. This same cloud then descends to the earth in watery form, perpetuating the cycle.

 

Question 5:

Why are the last two lines enclosed within brackets?

Answer:

The last two lines are bracketed because they neither represent the voice of the poet nor that of the rain. Instead, they provide a general commentary on the life-cycle of water transforming into clouds.

Question 6:

Enumerate the pairs of contradictions identified in the poem.

Answer:

ascend — descend

day — night

completely transformed — yet unaltered

 

Question 7:

Why does the poet refer to the poem as a translation?

Answer:

The poet queries the rain, receiving a response in its celestial voice. The poet then translates this divine reply into simple English for the readers' understanding.

 

Question 8:

How are clouds generated?

Answer:

Clouds form through the union of the sky and the ocean. The sun heats water vapors, causing them to rise. In the rainy season, clouds revert to water through dissolution.

 

Question 9:

How does the rain characterize itself?

Answer:

The gentle rain identifies itself as the Poem of Earth, possessing immortality. While it may alter in shape, it remains unchanging in essence as water.

 

Question 10:

‘Altogether change, and yet the same.’ Explain the meaning.

Answer:

During summer, seawater transforms into water vapors, rising as clouds in the sky. These clouds subsequently descend as rainwater. The apparent change is observable, but the essential nature remains constant.

 

Question 11:

How does ‘it’ descend, and what is its effect?

Answer:

Clouds descend sporadically to the earth, assuming various forms. Upon descent, they nourish dry fields and forests, eliminate dust particles, and instigate new life in seeds.

 

Question 12:

"I give back life to my own origin." How does the rain accomplish this?

Answer:

The rain originates from the land and sea, ascending to the sky before returning to the earth. This cyclical process facilitates the sprouting and growth of seeds, emphasizing water as nature's soul. Without rain, the earth would transform into a lifeless desert.

 

Question 13:

What constitutes the ‘fulfilment’ of the rain?

Answer:

The fulfilment of the rain lies in its devoted service to nature, breathing new life into seeds, grass, and the earth.

 

Question 14:

Summarize the life narrative of the rain or the cloud in approximately 80 words.

Answer:

The poet inquires about the gentle shower's origin and purpose. Clouds, acting as carriers of water vapors, draw sustenance from both land and sea. Despite undergoing only a change in form, they prove indispensable when the earth faces dry spells. The clouds not only cleanse the air of dust but also invigorate seeds, initiating a continuous cycle where the cloud returns to the earth what it extracts. This perpetual sequence signifies the interconnectedness and eternity of the rain's existence.

Question 15:

Describe the perpetual cycle of rain.

Answer:

On Earth, water invisibly ascends in the form of vapor from both land and sea. It rises, assumes the form of clouds, undergoes transformation, and eventually descends as water droplets on Earth. This precipitation saturates tiny dust particles, as well as land and sea. The rainfall prompts rivers to transport water back to oceans and seas.

 

Question 16:

Why does the rain refer to itself as 'impalpable'?

Answer:

The term 'impalpable' denotes something that cannot be perceived through touch or sight. When water exists in the form of mist, it is unseen and unfelt. The vapor ascends to the sky, condenses into rain-producing clouds, and while the process is understood, it remains invisible. This characteristic gives the rain the right to describe itself as "impalpable."

 

Question 17:

What occurs when it rains after a prolonged hot spell?

Answer:

Following an extended period of heat, everything on Earth becomes desiccated. Rain, after such a spell, clears away accumulated dust, rejuvenating nature with a refreshed appearance. Additionally, the rain facilitates the germination of dormant seeds, leading to the growth of new trees and plants.

 

Question 18:

Explain how latent seeds gain life through rain.

Answer:

Rain plays a vital role in providing the necessary water for seeds to germinate and grow on Earth. When it rains, dormant seeds begin to sprout, transforming into saplings. In essence, rain offers latent seeds a renewed chance at life, preventing them from drying up or going to waste.

 

Question 19:

How does the rain become the voice of Earth?

Answer:

In the poem "The Voice of the Rain," the author describes the rain falling on Earth and questions it. The raindrops are referred to as the "Poem of Earth" because they bring fresh life to the parched, scorched Earth in a rhythmic pattern. Essentially, the rain becomes the voice of Earth through the soothing music created by the softly falling raindrops.

 

Question 20:

Justify the title 'The Voice of the Rain.'

Answer:

The entire poem revolves around the themes of the benefits of rain and its eternal process. The poet seeks to convey the significance of rain for Earth, plants, and people through the words of the rain. The title is apt as the poem depicts the rain communicating with the poet, with the poet acting as a translator for the rain's native language—the sounds it produces when it falls.

 

Question 21:

Comment on class distinction and inequality, which is entirely a human creation, highlighting that natural elements such as air and rain make no discrimination and bless everyone equally.

Answer:

Despite the limited time humans spend on this planet, they have created numerous divisions within society. Natural elements like air and rain, crucial for survival, do not discriminate; they provide their blessings universally. Unfortunately, humanity has introduced societal divides based on race, caste, and other criteria. It is time for people to learn from nature's unbiased provisions and strive for universalism, eliminating caste and class disparities in pursuit of a harmonious society.

 

Word Meaning

 

 

            Atomies – small particles

            Eternal – never-ending

            Impalpable – which cannot be described

            Latent – hidden/buried

            Lave – wash; bathe

            Reck’d or unreck’d – 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.

            Vaguely – not clearly

            Whence – where

            Who art thou – Who are you