Summary of the Poem “The Rain” written by W.H.Davies

Summary of the Poem “The Rain” written by W.H.Davies

About the Poet:

William Henry Davies (1871-1940) was a famous Welsh poet and author. He was a tramp, for the significant part of his life. His writings, embedded in realism, revolve around the themes of nature, hardships of life, city life and life of a tramp. His sent his first collection of poems “The Soul’s Destroyer” to prominent writers like George Bernard Shaw, who responded Davies generously. W.H. Davies famous works include Leisure, The Rain, The Inquest, and The Autobiography of a Super-Tramp, Young Emma, The True Traveller and Tramp. Davies was awarded an honorary degree of a doctorate from the University of Wales and a plaque at the Church House Inn in Newport, Wales as a result of his literary fame.

 Summary:

               

                “Rain is refreshing, and sunshine is delicious”.

“The Rain” is a metaphorical, lovely and phenomenal poem penned down by an eminent British poet, William Henry Davies. This poem conveys a short but serious message highlighting the discrimination between two different sections of the society, The Rich and The Poor.

The poet states that it is raining and he can hear the leaves of trees drinking rain. The poet has personified leaves here by attributing them a human quality of gulping raindrops.  The upper leaves are at the benefit as they can drink more raindrops and after quenching their thirst, they pass on the remaining few drops to the lower leaves beneath them. The falling of the raindrops on the leaves produces a musical effect, and it is very pleasing to ears. The poet feels happy on hearing this ‘sweet noise’. The upper leaves stand for the rich people of the society who after enjoying the showers of blessings and luxuries, give very little in the form of alms to the lower class. The lower leaves represent the poor and oppressed class of the society.                   

When the rain stops, the sun will come out shining brightly and filling each dark, round drop with wonderful light. The dark raindrops will shine like beautiful pearls.  It will indeed be a lovely sight. The poet is hopeful that a day comes when there will be equality on this planet. The poor people will also enjoy equal rights. This poem strongly advocates the proverb that every dark cloud has a silver lining. The emergence of the sun brings a message of peace, hope, happiness and optimism.