English Class 9 (Beehive) Chapter 3 Poem - FREE PDF Download
FAQs on CBSE Class 9 English (Beehive) Important Questions Chapter 3 (Poem) - Rain on The Roof
1. What does the poet consider 'bliss' in the poem 'Rain on the Roof'?
According to the poem, the poet finds it blissful to lie in his cozy cottage bed, pressing his head against the pillow, and listening to the soft, rhythmic patter of the rain on the roof. This simple act brings him immense comfort and happiness.
2. What is the meaning of the phrase 'melancholy darkness' in the context of a 2-mark important question?
The phrase 'melancholy darkness' refers to the sad, gloomy atmosphere created by the dark, rain-filled clouds. It symbolises the poet's slightly sorrowful and reflective mood. The darkness is not just outside; it also represents a quiet, contemplative state of mind that the rain brings, leading to nostalgic memories.
3. What is the single most important memory that the rain triggers for the poet?
The most important memory the rain triggers is that of his mother. He fondly recalls how she would look at him and his siblings affectionately years ago, especially as she let them sleep until dawn. This memory is central to the poem's theme of comfort and nostalgia.
4. What is the central theme of 'Rain on the Roof', and why is it frequently asked in CBSE Class 9 exams?
The central theme is the healing and restorative power of nature, specifically rain, to evoke cherished memories and provide emotional comfort. This theme is frequently asked in exams for the 2025-26 session because it tests a student's ability to connect natural imagery with human emotions, a core analytical skill in poetry.
5. Which poetic devices are most important in 'Rain on the Roof' for a 5-mark question?
For a high-scoring answer, focusing on the following poetic devices is crucial:
- Alliteration: The repetition of consonant sounds, e.g., "lie listening," "press pillow," and "starry spheres."
- Onomatopoeia: The use of words that imitate sounds, such as "patter" and "tinkle," which mimic the sound of the rain.
- Personification: Giving human qualities to inanimate objects, such as when "melancholy darkness gently weeps in rainy tears."
- Transferred Epithet: An adjective used with a noun refers to another noun, e.g., in "melancholy darkness," the darkness itself is not melancholy, but it describes the poet's sad mood.
6. Explain the significance of the poet’s mother in the poem. (Expected 3-mark question)
The memory of the poet's mother is the most significant recollection in the poem. She symbolises love, comfort, and security from the poet's childhood. The sound of the rain acts as a bridge to this past, bringing back the warmth of his mother's affection. Her memory is the core of the poet's nostalgic feeling, transforming the gloomy, rainy day into a blissful experience filled with fond remembrance.
7. Does the poet feel happy or sad while remembering his mother? Explain the complexity of his emotions.
The poet experiences a complex, bittersweet mix of emotions. He feels happiness and comfort from the sweet memory of his mother's love and care. However, this is tinged with a gentle sadness or melancholy because she is "no more in life." This blend of comfort from a cherished past and the sorrow of loss is what makes the poem's emotional tone so rich and relatable.
8. How does the poet use sound imagery to connect the rain with his memories?
The poet uses sound imagery, specifically the onomatopoeic words "patter" and "tinkle," to create a soothing, hypnotic rhythm. This gentle sound acts as a trigger, creating an "echo in the heart." It is this repetitive, calming sound that allows his mind to drift into a state of reverie, where "a thousand dreamy fancies" and old memories, especially of his mother, come to life.
9. What is a common conceptual trap students might fall into when analysing the poem's tone?
A common trap is assuming the poem's tone is purely sad because of words like "melancholy" and "darkness." The correct interpretation for a high-scoring answer is that the tone is primarily nostalgic and comforting. While there's a touch of sorrow for the past, the overall feeling the poet experiences is 'bliss'—a deep sense of peace and contentment derived from cherished memories.
10. How can this poem help students prepare for value-based questions in the CBSE exam?
This poem is excellent for preparing for value-based questions as it explores universal values like the importance of family bonds, the comfort of memory, and the soothing power of nature. For an exam, students can write about how small, everyday phenomena like rain can have a profound emotional impact, reminding us to cherish our relationships and memories as sources of strength and comfort.
11. How does the theme of nature's connection to human emotion in 'Rain on the Roof' compare to 'The Lake Isle of Innisfree'?
Both poems explore the deep connection between nature and human emotion, a key topic for comparative questions. However, they do so differently:
- In 'Rain on the Roof,' nature (the rain) triggers memories of the past, bringing nostalgic comfort.
- In 'The Lake Isle of Innisfree,' nature represents a longing for a peaceful future, an escape from the present's noise and chaos.
While one looks back with fondness, the other looks forward with yearning.

















