Rain
By Edward Thomas
Rain, midnight rain, nothing but the wild rain
On this bleak hut, and solitude, and me
Remembering again that I shall die
And neither hear the rain nor give it thanks
For washing me cleaner than I have been
Since I was born into this solitude.
Blessed are the dead that the rain rains upon:
But here I pray that none whom once I loved
Is dying tonight or lying still awake
Solitary, listening to the rain,
Either in pain or thus in sympathy
Helpless among the living and the dead,
Like a cold water among broken reeds,
Myriads of broken reeds all still and stiff,
Like me who have no love which this wild rain
Has not dissolved except the love of death,
If love it be for what is perfect and
Cannot, the tempest tells me, disappoint.
Summary of Rain
- Popularity of “Rain”: Written in 1916 by Edward Thomas, this poem resonates with readers due to its poignant exploration of solitude, mortality, and acceptance. Often interpreted through the lens of Thomas’s experiences as a soldier in World War I, the poem captures a profound internal landscape that mirrors the external weather. Its enduring appeal lies in its universality—anyone can relate to feelings of isolation and the contemplation of life’s end.
- “Rain” as a Representative of Solitude and Love of Death: The speaker in “Rain” is deeply immersed in solitude, reflecting on his impending death. The relentless rain becomes a symbol of cleansing and purification, a welcome release from earthly burdens. The poem is not merely about a desire for death; it presents a complex acceptance of death as a natural part of existence. Thomas contrasts his own situation with a compassionate wish that his loved ones are spared similar suffering, yet acknowledges the shared fate that binds the living and the dead.
- Major Themes in “Rain”: Central to “Rain” are the themes of solitude and mortality. The poem explores the internal experience of confronting one’s own death, finding a strange comfort in the idea of being washed clean by the rain. It also touches on themes of love, loss, and the desire for peace—a quiet resignation to the inevitable.
Analysis of Literary Devices Used in Rain
Edward Thomas skillfully employs various literary devices to enhance the emotional depth and meaning of “Rain”.
- Assonance: The repetition of vowel sounds creates a musicality and emphasizes certain words or ideas. Notice the repetition of the “a” sound in “Rain, midnight rain, nothing but the wild rain,” which draws attention to the pervasive presence of the rain and reinforces its symbolic weight.
- Alliteration: The repetition of consonant sounds, like the “r” in “rain rains,” adds rhythm and emphasizes the sound of the rain itself. This auditory effect contributes to the immersive experience of the poem.
- Consonance: Similar to alliteration, consonance focuses on the repetition of consonant sounds within words, such as the “n” and “r” sounds in “Rain, midnight rain, nothing but the wild rain”. This creates a subtle but noticeable musicality and emphasizes the texture of the language.
- Enjambment: Thomas frequently uses enjambment, where a phrase or sentence continues onto the next line without punctuation. Consider these lines: “Like me who have no love which this wild rain
Has not dissolved except the love of death.” This technique creates a sense of flow and momentum, mirroring the continuous falling of the rain and the relentless passage of time. - Imagery: The poem is rich in vivid imagery that appeals to the reader’s senses. Phrases such as “bleak hut” and “cold water among broken reeds” create a strong visual picture and evoke feelings of isolation and desolation.
- Metaphor: The rain itself functions as a powerful metaphor for cleansing, purification, and the acceptance of death. It washes away the burdens of life and prepares the speaker for the inevitable transition.
- Simile: The comparison of the speaker to “broken reeds” is a striking simile that emphasizes his fragility and vulnerability. It highlights his sense of powerlessness in the face of mortality.
- Symbolism: Rain, death, solitude, and night all function as symbols within the poem, each carrying a deeper meaning beyond their literal representation. The rain symbolizes cleansing and acceptance, while death represents the ultimate release from suffering.
Analysis of Poetic Devices Used in Rain
Beyond literary devices, Thomas uses specific poetic techniques to shape the poem’s meaning and impact.
- Diction: Thomas’s choice of words is deliberate and precise. He employs a formal and poetic diction that lends a sense of gravity and solemnity to the poem. Words such as “bleak” and “solitude” contribute to the overall mood of melancholy and contemplation.
- Free Verse: While the poem does not adhere to a strict rhyme scheme or metrical pattern, it possesses a subtle rhythm and musicality created through the careful arrangement of words and phrases.
- Repetition: The repetition of “rain” throughout the poem underscores its central importance as a symbol and reinforces its auditory presence.
- Stanza: The poem consists of a single, unbroken stanza, which creates a sense of continuous flow and reinforces the idea of an ongoing internal monologue.
- Tone: The poem’s tone is complex and nuanced, shifting between melancholy, resignation, and a quiet acceptance of death. This emotional complexity adds depth and richness to the reading experience.
Quotes to be Used
The following lines are particularly powerful in their exploration of mortality and acceptance:
Myriads of broken reeds all still and stiff,
Like me who have no love which this wild rain
Has not dissolved except the love of death,
If love it be for what is perfect and
Cannot, the tempest tells me, disappoint.
These lines encapsulate the poem’s central theme—the acceptance of death as a natural and inevitable part of life. The imagery of “broken reeds” emphasizes the speaker’s fragility, while the “love of death” suggests a sense of peace and liberation.