Question

Identify the tone of the poem below. Write a one paragraph response to explain your findings. Make sure to include evidence from the text to support your analysis.

Rain, Rain, Rain
by Don McKay
On the roof its drone
is the horizon drawing closer for a
kiss, for an embrace whose message is,
whose muscle is the comfort of,
the family of,
the sociability of being mortal.
Outside, the leaves have multiplied its pitter
into the stuff of plainsong.
So many oceans to be spoken of.
Such soft ovations numbering
innumerable names for hush.
Who understands this tongue? No one.
No one and no one and no one.

Answer 1

The tone of the poem "Rain, Rain, Rain" by Don McKay can be described as contemplative and meditative. The poet reflects on the rain's impact, both on the physical environment and the emotional realm. The repetition of the word "no one" suggests a sense of solitude and isolation, emphasizing the inability to fully comprehend the language of the rain. The phrase "the sociability of being mortal" hints at the shared experience of mortality, finding a sense of belonging in the transient nature of life. The poet uses vivid imagery such as "the stuff of plainsong" and "soft ovations numbering innumerable names for hush" to evoke a sensory and atmospheric quality to the rain. Overall, the tone conveys a deep sense of introspection, inviting readers to ponder the mysteries and beauty found in the simple yet profound act of rain falling.

Answer 2

The tone of the poem 'Rain, Rain, Rain' by Don McKay is both positive and negative. The first stanza conveys a positive tone, expressing the comfort and sociability of rain. However, the second stanza shifts to a negative tone, as the rain is described as violent.

Step-by-step explanation:

The tone of the poem 'Rain, Rain, Rain' by Don McKay is both positive and negative. The first stanza conveys a positive tone, expressing the comfort and sociability of rain. However, the second stanza shifts to a negative tone, as the rain is described as violent. These distinct moods are developed through imagery, details, and language, which influence the reader's perception of the rain.