“In Time of Silver Rain” by Langston Hughes

1. In time of silver rain
2. The earth
3. Puts forth new life again,
4. Green grasses grow
5. And flowers lift their heads,
6. And over all the plain
7. The wonder spreads
8. Of life, of life, of life!
9. In time of silver rain
10. The butterflies lift silken wings
11. To catch a rainbow cry,
12. And trees put forth
13. New leaves to sing
14. In joy beneath the sky
15. As down the roadway passing boys
16. And girls go singing, too,
17. In time of silver rain
18. When spring
19. And life are new.

Introduction

Written by Langston Hughes, “In Time of Silver Rain” originally appeared in his collection of poetry, The Panther and the Lash: Poems of Our Times, in 1967. It is considered a masterpiece of African American literature for depicting the very spirit of this community. Its popularity, however, lies in the evocative use of language and natural images that supplement the thematic strands of hope, renewal, and the cycle of life. The poem has won huge popularity for the poet from scholars, students, and common readers alike.

Annotations of “In Time of Silver Rain” by Langston Hughes

Line	Difficult Words/Phrases/Clauses	Annotation
1	silver rain	rain that falls gently and steadily like silver strands
2	The earth	The world we live in
3	puts forth new life again	produces new life again
4	Green grasses grow	New grass grows
5	flowers lift their heads	Flowers begin to bloom
6	over all the plain	over the whole area
7	The wonder spreads	A sense of amazement is all around
8	Of life, of life, of life!	Life is abundant and thriving
9	In time of silver rain	During a rainstorm that looks like silver strands
10	butterflies lift silken wings	Butterflies raise their soft, smooth wings
11	To catch a rainbow cry	Trying to capture the colorful rainbow
12	trees put forth	Trees begin to grow
13	New leaves to sing	The new leaves make sounds as they sway in the wind
14	In joy beneath the sky	Happily under the sky
15	passing boys and girls	Boys and girls who are walking by
16	go singing, too	They are also singing
17	In time of silver rain	During a rainstorm that looks like silver strands
18	When spring	The season of spring
19	And life are new.	A time of new beginnings and new life.

Literary Devices in “In Time of Silver Rain” by Langston Hughes

Literary Device	Verse	Meanings and Functions
Allusion	To catch a rainbow cry	This alludes to the idea that the butterflies are chasing after something beautiful and elusive, just as people often chase after dreams and desires.
Assonance	In time of silver rain	The repetition of the “i” sound in “In time of silver rain” creates a musical quality to the poem and adds to its overall sense of wonder and beauty.
Enjambment	And over all the plainThe wonder spreadsOf life, of life, of life!	The use of enjambment in these lines creates a sense of continuous growth and renewal in nature, as one idea flows seamlessly into the next.
Hyperbole	The wonder spreads	The use of hyperbole in “The wonder spreads” emphasizes the magnitude of the beauty and renewal of nature in springtime.
Imagery	And over all the plain	The image of the plain covered in new growth and flowers is a vivid depiction of the beauty of nature in springtime.
Irony	In time of silver rain	The use of the phrase “silver rain” is ironic, as rain is not typically associated with silver. This adds to the sense of wonder and surprise that is central to the poem.
Metaphor	To catch a rainbow cry	This metaphorical language compares the beauty and elusiveness of the butterfly’s flight to the fleeting nature of rainbows.
Oxymoron	In time of silver rain	The use of the oxymoron “silver rain” creates a sense of contradiction and surprise that adds to the poem’s overall sense of wonder and magic.
Personification	New leaves to sing	The personification of leaves as singers creates a sense of joy and celebration in the poem, as nature seems to come alive with music and vitality.
Repetition	Of life, of life, of life!	The repetition of the phrase “of life” emphasizes the central theme of the poem, which is the renewal and growth of nature in springtime.
Rhyme	Singing, too	The use of rhyme in “singing, too” adds to the musical quality of the poem and emphasizes the joy and exuberance of the children who are singing.

Sound and Poetic Devices in “In Time of Silver Rain” by Langston Hughes

Literary Device	Examples or References	Meanings and Functions
Alliteration	“ Green grasses grow “ (line 4)	The repeated “g” sound emphasizes the gentle and soothing nature of the grass, creating a peaceful and calming effect.
Assonance	“Silken wings” (line 10)	The repeated “i” sound emphasizes the soft and delicate quality of the butterfly’s wings, creating a sense of beauty and fragility.
Consonance	And flowers lift their heads	The repeated “f” sound emphasizes the cyclical nature of life and the idea of renewal, highlighting the rejuvenating power of the silver rain.
End Rhyme	“Again”/”rain” (lines 1 and 3)	The end rhyme creates a sense of closure and completion at the end of each line, contributing to the overall musicality of the poem.
Diction	“Silken wings” (line 10)	The choice of the word “silken” conveys a sense of elegance and luxury, emphasizing the beauty of nature.
Verse Type	Free Verse	The lack of a strict meter or rhyme scheme, allowing for greater flexibility and creativity in the poem’s structure, reflecting the natural and organic quality of the subject matter.
Stanza Type	Eight and ten verses stanzas.	The use of irregular stanzas gives the poem a sense of balance, while also allowing for each stanza to convey a complete thought or idea.
Poem Type	Lyric Poem	The poem expresses the speaker’s personal emotions and feelings about the natural world, emphasizing the subjective and individual experience of nature.
Diction and Tone	“Of life, of life, of life!” (line 8)	The repetition of the phrase “of life” and the exclamation point create a sense of enthusiasm and vitality, emphasizing the abundance and vibrancy of the natural world. The diction and tone convey a sense of wonder and awe, highlighting the beauty and majesty of nature.

Functions of Literary Devices in “In Time of Silver Rain” by Langston Hughes

1. Imagery: “In Time of Silver Rain” shows Hughes’ skill in using images. These images help him to create a sensory experience for the readers. For example, “Green grasses grow/ And flowers lift their heads” (lines 4-5) show the natural images of grass and flowers, creating a visual picture of new growth and resultant beauty emerging after the rain. This imagery also serves to emphasize the theme of renewal and regeneration in nature.
2. Personification: Personification is a literary device in which the attribution of human qualities to non-human things. Hughes uses personification in the very first lines such as “And over all the plain/ The wonder spreads/ Of life, of life, of life!” (lines 6-8). By personifying the wonder that spreads over the plain, Hughes has emphasized the power and beauty of nature and suggests that there is something almost magical about the way new life emerges after the rain.
3. Metaphor: This literary device a figure of speech that describes one thing as if it were another and its function is to make a picture in the readers’ minds and clarify that picture further. Hughes uses the metaphor of butterflies lifting silken wings “To catch a rainbow cry” (line 11) to suggest that nature is full of beauty and wonder. This metaphor also reinforces the idea of renewal and regeneration as the butterflies often emerge from their cocoons after the rain.
4. Symbolism: Symbolism means using symbols to represent ideas or concepts. Hughes’ poem “In Time of Silver Rain” the rain serves as a symbol of renewal and rebirth. This is evident in lines such as “The earth/ Puts forth new life again” (lines 2-3) and “And trees put forth/ New leaves to sing/ In joy beneath the sky” (lines 12-14). The rain also shows itself used as a symbol of hope and the promise of new beginnings as s the line “When spring/ And life are new” (lines 18-19) suggests.

Themes in “In Time of Silver Rain” by Langston Hughes

1. Renewal and Regeneration: One of the central themes in “In Time of Silver Rain” is renewal and regeneration in nature. Hughes highlights this theme through natural elements. For example, the rain is a symbol of new beginnings, and the growth of new life after the rain emphasizes the cyclical nature of the world. Further natural imagery and metaphor such as the butterflies lifting their wings and the trees putting forth new leaves reinforce this theme.
2. Beauty in Nature: Another important theme in the poem is the beauty of nature. Hughes uses vivid images to create a sensory experience for the readers, emphasizing the beauty of the new growth and the wonder of life. This theme suggests that there is something magical and awe-inspiring about the natural world, and invites the reader to appreciate and marvel at it. Although images do not suggest it directly, their implicit meanings are clear.
3. Joy and Celebration: “In Time of Silver Rain” celebrates the happiness of the poet through his expression of the excitement of looking the nature. Some images such as the passing boys and girls singing and the trees singing “In joy beneath the sky” (lines 14) suggest a sense of communal celebration and the joy of being alive. This theme further reinforces the idea of renewal and rebirth, suggesting that life must be celebrated and cherished at every cost.
4. Hope and Optimism: The poem shows the theme of hope and optimism prevalent in almost every other verse. The rain is a symbol of hope and promise, and the growth of new life after the rain suggests that there is always the possibility of renewal and new beginnings. The use of symbolism and metaphor reinforces this theme further suggesting that even in difficult times, there is always the possibility of a brighter future.

Literary Theories and “In Time of Silver Rain” by Langston Hughes

1. Ecocriticism: Ecocriticism literary theory explores the relationship between literature, climate, ecology, environment, and man. The poem “In Time of Silver Rain” demonstrates the images of rain and new growth, highlighting the cyclical nature of the natural world and the resilience of nature when confronting difficult times. Through this lens, the poem can be seen as a celebration of the beauty and power of the natural world.
2. New Criticism: New Criticism is a literary theory that focuses on close readings of literary texts, with an emphasis on analyzing the language and form of a work. In “In Time of Silver Rain,” the poem’s use of imagery and metaphor can be closely analyzed to reveal deeper layers of meaning. For example, the imagery of “little soft white butterflies” and “silvered wings” can be seen as a metaphor for the delicate and fleeting nature of life.
3. Reader-Response Theory: Reader-Response Theory is a literary theory that emphasizes the role of the reader in creating meaning from a text. In “In Time of Silver Rain,” readers may have different interpretations of the poem based on their own experiences and perspectives. For example, the theme of resilience may resonate more strongly with readers who have experienced hardship in their own lives.
4. Postcolonial Theory: Postcolonial Theory is a literary theory that explores the relationship between literature and colonialism. While “In Time of Silver Rain” does not explicitly address issues of colonialism, it can be read as a celebration of African American culture and identity in the face of oppression and discrimination.
5. Feminist Theory: Feminist Theory is a literary theory that examines the representation of gender in literature. While “In Time of Silver Rain” does not explicitly address issues of gender, the poem’s celebration of the natural world and its emphasis on the cyclical nature of life could be seen as a feminist perspective that values the traditionally feminine qualities of nurturing and renewal.

Essay Topics, Questions, and Thesis Statements about “In Time of Silver Rain” by Langston Hughes

1. Topic: Symbolism of Rain in “In Time of Silver Rain”

Question: How does Langston Hughes use rain as a symbol of renewal and rebirth in “In Time of Silver Rain”?

Thesis Statement: Through the use of vivid imagery and symbolism, Langston Hughes emphasizes the power of rain to bring about new life and renewal, suggesting that even in difficult times, there is always the possibility of a brighter future.

• Topic: Nature and Beauty in “In Time of Silver Rain”

Question: How does Langston Hughes use imagery to emphasize the beauty of nature in “In Time of Silver Rain”?

Thesis Statement: By using vivid imagery to describe the new growth and beauty of nature after a rainstorm, Langston Hughes emphasizes the inherent beauty of the natural world and invites the reader to appreciate and marvel at it.

• Topic: Celebration of Life in “In Time of Silver Rain”

Question: How does Langston Hughes use the theme of joy and celebration in “In Time of Silver Rain” to convey his message about the importance of living in the moment?

Thesis Statement: By emphasizing the joy and celebration of spring in “In Time of Silver Rain,” Langston Hughes suggests that life is something to be celebrated and cherished, and encourages the reader to embrace the present moment and find happiness in the world around them.

• Topic: Hope and Optimism in “In Time of Silver Rain”

Question: How does Langston Hughes use the theme of hope and optimism in “In Time of Silver Rain” to offer a message of encouragement and resilience to his readers?

Thesis Statement: By using the rain as a symbol of hope and renewal, and emphasizing the theme of optimism in “In Time of Silver Rain,” Langston Hughes offers his readers a message of encouragement and resilience, suggesting that even in difficult times, there is always the possibility of a brighter future.

Short Question-Answer about “In Time of Silver Rain” by Langston Hughes

Q: How does Langston Hughes use the image of butterflies in “In Time of Silver Rain” to convey a sense of wonder and beauty?

A: Hughes in this poem “In Time of Silver Rain” uses the image of butterflies lifting their silken wings to catch a rainbow cry to suggest a sense of wonder and beauty in the natural world. The delicate beauty of the butterflies and their interaction with the rainbow create a sense of magic and awe that emphasizes the power of nature to inspire and uplift us. By including this image in the poem, Hughes invites the reader to appreciate the beauty of the world around them and to find joy in the small moments of life.

Q: How does the theme of renewal and regeneration in “In Time of Silver Rain” reflect the cultural and social context of Langston Hughes’ time?

A: The thematic strand of renewal and regeneration in “In Time of Silver Rain” reflects the cultural and social context of Langston Hughes’ time by emphasizing the cycle of life and the power of nature to bring transformations. Many Americans at large and African Americans specifically experienced social and political transformations creeping the American society. Therefore, the theme of renewal and rebirth shows that the people still had hopes amid uncertainty. By using this theme in his poem, Hughes may have been seeking to encourage his readers to find hope and resilience in difficult times and to embrace the possibilities of new beginnings.

Q: How does the use of repetition in “In Time of Silver Rain” contribute to the overall message of the poem?

A: Repetition in “In Time of Silver Rain” contributes to the message of the cyclical nature of life and the power of renewal in nature. The phrase “of life, of life, of life!” (line 8) further sharpens the idea that life is an ongoing process of growth and change, and suggests that there is always the possibility of new beginnings. By repeating this phrase throughout the poem, Hughes intends to create a sense of momentum and forward movement, emphasizing the significance of embracing the present moment and looking to the future with hope and optimism.

Q: How does the use of sensory imagery in “In Time of Silver Rain” contribute to the poem’s overall tone and message?

A: The use of sensory imagery in “In Time of Silver Rain” contributes to the poem’s tone and message by creating a vivid and immersive sensory experience for the readers. The imagery of the green grasses and flowers lifting their heads, the butterflies lifting their wings, and the passing boys and girls singing; all these images create a rich landscape, emphasizing the beauty and joy of the natural world. This sensory experience reinforces the poem’s themes of renewal, regeneration, and celebration of life. It also invites the reader to appreciate the beauty of the world around them. Using sensory imagery, Hughes creates a powerful emotional connection with the reader and emphasizes the importance of finding joy and beauty in the small moments of life.