“Rain” by Edward Thomas: A Critical Analysis

Introduction: “Rain” by Edward Thomas

“Rain” by Edward Thomas, appeared in 1917 in the collection “Adonais: A Sonnet Sequence” is characterized by its somber tone and evocative imagery, delves into the poet’s musings on life, death, and the fleeting nature of existence. The poem’s central theme is a profound sense of melancholy and a longing for a simpler time. Thomas uses vivid descriptions of rain and nature to symbolize the passage of time and the inevitability of loss.

Text: “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.

Annotations: “Rain” by Edward Thomas

Line	Annotation
“Rain, midnight rain, nothing but the wild rain”	The repetition of “rain” emphasizes its incessant nature, while “midnight” evokes isolation and darkness. “Wild” suggests chaos and natural forces beyond control.
“On this bleak hut, and solitude, and me”	The speaker is in a desolate place both physically (“bleak hut”) and emotionally (“solitude”). The repetition of “and” adds weight to their loneliness.
“Remembering again that I shall die”	A sudden shift to existential reflection. The rain brings thoughts of mortality, highlighting the transient nature of life.
“And neither hear the rain nor give it thanks”	The speaker contemplates death as a state of complete detachment, where even the sensory experience of rain will be lost.
“For washing me cleaner than I have been”	Rain takes on a cleansing, purifying role, both literally and metaphorically, implying a desire for spiritual renewal.
“Since I was born into this solitude.”	A continuation of the speaker’s deep sense of isolation, possibly hinting at a life lived in loneliness or alienation.
“Blessed are the dead that the rain rains upon:”	A reference to the dead as “blessed” suggests peace in death, contrasting the turmoil of the living. The rain becomes a symbol of grace for those who have passed.
“But here I pray that none whom once I loved”	Despite the speaker’s focus on death, there’s a lingering concern for loved ones, indicating unresolved emotional connections.
“Is dying tonight or lying still awake”	The speaker imagines loved ones suffering, whether through death or insomnia. The thought brings a deep sense of empathy and shared human suffering.
“Solitary, listening to the rain,”	The repetition of the solitude theme—those still alive experience the same isolation as the speaker, united by the sound of the rain.
“Either in pain or thus in sympathy”	Two possibilities are presented: loved ones are either physically suffering or sharing the speaker’s emotional state, symbolized by the rain.
“Helpless among the living and the dead,”	A reflection on human powerlessness in the face of life and death, suggesting that the speaker feels trapped between these two states.
“Like a cold water among broken reeds,”	The image of “cold water” and “broken reeds” evokes fragility and death. The broken reeds symbolize both the speaker’s internal state and the inevitability of decay.
“Myriads of broken reeds all still and stiff,”	The repetition reinforces the desolate landscape—life and vibrancy have been replaced by stillness and stiffness, further emphasizing death or emotional paralysis.
“Like me who have no love which this wild rain”	The speaker identifies with the broken reeds, feeling emotionally drained. They imply that the rain has stripped them of any love, except perhaps a love for death.
“Has not dissolved except the love of death,”	The rain has washed away all emotions except an acceptance of death. This line encapsulates the speaker’s growing fatalism.
“If love it be for what is perfect and”	Death is now considered “perfect,” representing an ideal or completion that life, full of imperfections, cannot offer.
“Cannot, the tempest tells me, disappoint.”	Death becomes a finality that cannot betray expectations, unlike life, which is unpredictable and often disappointing. The “tempest” refers both to the storm and inner turmoil.

Literary And Poetic Devices: “Rain” by Edward Thomas

Device	Definition	Example	Explanation
Alliteration	Repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words	“Blessed are the dead that the rain rains upon”	The repetition of the “r” sound in “rain rains” creates a rhythmic effect and emphasizes the natural force of rain falling on the dead.
Anaphora	Repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of clauses	“And neither hear the rain nor give it thanks”	The repetition of “And” introduces a contemplative mood and rhythm, drawing attention to the contrast between life and death.
Assonance	Repetition of vowel sounds within nearby words	“Still and stiff”	The repetition of the short “i” vowel sound in “still” and “stiff” emphasizes the lifelessness and rigidity of the broken reeds, enhancing the mood.
Caesura	A natural pause or break in a line of poetry	“On this bleak hut, and solitude, and me”	The comma after “hut” creates a caesura, slowing down the pace and allowing the speaker to pause, reinforcing the sense of isolation and reflection.
Consonance	Repetition of consonant sounds within or at the end of words	“Myriads of broken reeds all still and stiff”	The repetition of the “s” and “t” sounds adds to the sense of desolation and finality, enhancing the cold, lifeless imagery of the scene.
Enjambment	The continuation of a sentence without a pause beyond the end of a line	“But here I pray that none whom once I loved / Is dying tonight”	The thought flows over two lines, mimicking the speaker’s ongoing, unbroken concern for his loved ones, adding to the urgency and fluidity.
Hyperbole	Deliberate exaggeration for effect	“Nothing but the wild rain”	The phrase “nothing but” exaggerates the dominance of rain in the speaker’s mind, emphasizing its all-consuming presence in his solitude.
Imagery	Descriptive language that appeals to the senses	“Like a cold water among broken reeds”	This visual and tactile imagery of cold water and broken reeds evokes a sense of death, decay, and emotional desolation, immersing the reader in the mood.
Irony	A contrast between expectation and reality	“Blessed are the dead that the rain rains upon”	It’s ironic that the speaker views the dead as “blessed,” finding peace in their state, while life, typically seen as preferable, is filled with suffering.
Juxtaposition	Placing two contrasting ideas close together for effect	“The living and the dead”	The contrast between life and death is central to the poem, as the speaker compares the living’s suffering with the dead’s peace.
Metaphor	A direct comparison between two unlike things	“Like a cold water among broken reeds”	The speaker compares himself to “cold water” and “broken reeds,” symbolizing emotional coldness, isolation, and fragility.
Mood	The emotional atmosphere created by the poem	The overall mood of the poem is melancholy and introspective.	The rain, isolation, and thoughts of death all contribute to a somber, reflective mood that permeates the poem.
Onomatopoeia	A word that imitates the natural sound of something	“Rain”	The word “rain” itself can be seen as onomatopoeic, mimicking the sound of raindrops, contributing to the immersive sensory experience of the poem.
Oxymoron	A figure of speech in which two contradictory terms appear together	“Helpless among the living and the dead”	The juxtaposition of “living” and “dead” in the same line highlights the speaker’s sense of being trapped between two states, adding complexity to the idea of helplessness.
Personification	Giving human qualities to non-human things	“The tempest tells me”	The tempest (storm) is personified, given the ability to “tell” or communicate, emphasizing nature’s overwhelming presence and its effect on the speaker.
Repetition	Repeating words or phrases for emphasis	“Rain, midnight rain, nothing but the wild rain”	The repetition of “rain” in this line emphasizes its persistent, inescapable presence in the speaker’s mind and environment.
Rhetorical Question	A question asked for effect, not meant to be answered	Implied: “What love has this wild rain not dissolved?”	Though unstated, the speaker seems to ask this indirectly, highlighting his emotional exhaustion and pondering the destruction of love by external forces.
Simile	A comparison using “like” or “as”	“Like a cold water among broken reeds”	The simile compares the speaker to cold water and broken reeds, emphasizing emotional detachment, isolation, and vulnerability.
Symbolism	The use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities	“Rain” as a symbol of cleansing and death	Rain in the poem symbolizes both physical and spiritual cleansing, as well as the inescapable force of death and nature’s indifferent power.
Tone	The poet’s attitude toward the subject	The tone is reflective, somber, and contemplative.	The tone reflects the speaker’s deep introspection, as he meditates on life, death, and the isolating power of nature.

Themes: “Rain” by Edward Thomas

• Isolation and Solitude
• The poem captures a deep sense of isolation, both physical and emotional. The speaker is alone in a “bleak hut,” surrounded by “nothing but the wild rain” (line 1), emphasizing his physical seclusion. This solitude extends to the speaker’s mental state, as he reflects on the inevitability of death and his separation from others. His loneliness is heightened by the ongoing rain, which symbolizes a barrier between him and the world, both living and dead. The speaker’s existential musings on being “born into this solitude” (line 6) reveal a lifelong sense of isolation, suggesting that his loneliness is not just situational but ingrained.
• Death and Mortality
• “Rain” is permeated with meditations on death and the transitory nature of life. The speaker reflects on his own mortality, stating, “I shall die / And neither hear the rain nor give it thanks” (lines 3-4), showing an awareness of the inevitable cessation of life and sensory experiences. He contemplates the peace that death brings, referring to the dead as “blessed” (line 7) because they no longer endure the pain and solitude of existence. This theme is reinforced throughout the poem as he prays that none of his loved ones are “dying tonight” (line 8), signifying the close proximity of death in his thoughts.
• Nature as a Force of Destruction and Cleansing
• Nature, particularly the rain, serves a dual role in the poem as both destructive and cleansing. The “wild rain” (line 1) is a relentless, overpowering force, symbolic of the uncontrollable aspects of nature and life. Yet, the rain also has a cleansing function, as the speaker acknowledges its ability to wash him “cleaner than I have been” (line 5), suggesting a form of spiritual renewal. This duality reflects the speaker’s complex relationship with nature—it is both a source of emotional destruction and, paradoxically, a potential agent of purification and absolution.
• 4. Emotional Desolation and the Loss of Love
• The poem explores the speaker’s profound emotional desolation, symbolized by the dissolving of love. He laments that the rain has “dissolved” all love except “the love of death” (line 15), suggesting that the harshness of life has eroded his capacity for affection, leaving only an attraction to the finality of death. This idea of emotional disintegration is reinforced by the imagery of “broken reeds” (line 13), which metaphorically represents the speaker’s shattered emotional state. His prayer that none of his loved ones are suffering similarly underscores his lingering concern for others, despite his own emotional numbness.

Literary Theories and “Rain” by Edward Thomas

Literary Theory	Explanation	Application to “Rain”
Existentialism	Focuses on individual existence, freedom, and choice, often dealing with themes of meaninglessness and isolation.	The speaker’s reflection on mortality and solitude (“Remembering again that I shall die” – line 3) fits existentialism’s emphasis on the individual confronting life’s inherent meaninglessness and isolation. The speaker is left alone with the rain and his thoughts, leading to existential questioning.
Ecocriticism	Examines the relationship between literature and the environment, often considering how nature shapes human experience.	The rain, a natural force, dominates the speaker’s world (“Nothing but the wild rain” – line 1) and is symbolic of both destruction and cleansing. Ecocriticism analyzes how nature, through the relentless rain, affects the speaker’s mental state, reinforcing the power and indifference of the natural world.
Psychoanalytic Criticism	Focuses on the psychological motivations of characters, often rooted in Freudian ideas about the unconscious mind.	The speaker’s contemplation of death and emotional desolation (“Like me who have no love which this wild rain / Has not dissolved” – lines 14-15) can be explored through psychoanalysis. His fixation on death and the dissolution of love reveals unconscious fears, desires, and internal conflicts.

Critical Questions about “Rain” by Edward Thomas

• How does the poem explore the tension between life and death?
• In “Rain,” Edward Thomas delves into the tension between life and death by juxtaposing the suffering of the living with the peace of the dead. The speaker is acutely aware of his mortality, as seen in the lines, “I shall die / And neither hear the rain nor give it thanks” (lines 3-4). While alive, he is tormented by solitude and the constant sound of rain, which evokes existential reflection. Yet, he envies the dead, whom he considers “blessed” (line 7), for they no longer endure the burdens of life. This contrast suggests that death offers an escape from the pain of existence, but also a detachment from life’s sensory experiences. The speaker’s prayer that “none whom once I loved / Is dying tonight” (lines 8-9) emphasizes the tension further, as he hopes his loved ones are spared from the suffering he faces. The poem reflects on how life is filled with pain and helplessness, while death is portrayed as a form of release, albeit tinged with fear and uncertainty.
• What role does nature play in the emotional landscape of the poem?
• Nature, particularly the rain, plays a central role in shaping the emotional atmosphere of “Rain.” The rain is not just a backdrop but a force that mirrors and intensifies the speaker’s inner turmoil. Described as “wild” (line 1), the rain symbolizes chaos, isolation, and emotional desolation, enveloping the speaker in both a literal and metaphorical storm. The persistent sound of the rain isolates the speaker, reinforcing his solitude: “Nothing but the wild rain / On this bleak hut, and solitude, and me” (lines 1-2). However, the rain also has a dual nature, representing purification and spiritual cleansing, as seen in “For washing me cleaner than I have been / Since I was born” (lines 5-6). This paradoxical relationship with nature—both destructive and purifying—creates an emotional landscape where the speaker grapples with feelings of insignificance and longing for renewal. The rain becomes a catalyst for introspection, deepening his sense of isolation but also offering a means of reflection and, possibly, absolution.
• How does the poem address the theme of love and its dissolution?
• “Rain” addresses the dissolution of love through the speaker’s emotional numbness and his acceptance of death as the only love that remains. He reflects on the absence of human connections in his life, stating, “I have no love which this wild rain / Has not dissolved except the love of death” (lines 14-15). The rain, symbolic of the hardships and relentless forces of life, has eroded all forms of love, leaving only a longing for death. This sentiment suggests that love, once central to the speaker’s existence, has been gradually worn away by life’s difficulties. The metaphor of rain “dissolving” love underscores the idea that external forces, such as nature and existential despair, have consumed the speaker’s capacity for affection. The poem also reveals a trace of empathy as the speaker hopes none of his loved ones are “dying tonight” (line 8), showing that even though love has been largely destroyed, some lingering attachment to others remains. Ultimately, love has been transformed into a kind of acceptance of death, viewed as the only “perfect” and unwavering force left.
• What is the significance of the poem’s setting, and how does it contribute to its themes?
• The setting of “Rain”—a bleak, isolated hut during a midnight storm—serves as a physical and symbolic representation of the speaker’s internal state. The poem opens with the speaker alone in “this bleak hut” (line 2), with the relentless rain dominating his surroundings. This isolated setting mirrors the speaker’s profound sense of solitude, which runs throughout the poem. The rain, falling at midnight, suggests darkness, introspection, and the absence of human connection. The isolation of the hut, combined with the natural forces outside, emphasizes the speaker’s detachment from the world and reinforces the themes of mortality and existential despair. The solitary setting also creates an atmosphere where the speaker is left alone with his thoughts, heightening his awareness of life’s fleeting nature. The hut, exposed to the elements, may also symbolize the fragile boundary between life and death, as the speaker is acutely aware of his mortality and the thin veil separating him from the peace of the dead. The setting thus contributes to the poem’s exploration of loneliness, mortality, and the overpowering force of nature.

Literary Works Similar to “Rain” by Edward Thomas

1. “The Darkling Thrush” by Thomas Hardy
   Both poems explore themes of isolation and existential reflection against the backdrop of nature, with a bleak and introspective tone.
2. “The Waste Land” by T.S. Eliot
   Eliot’s poem, like “Rain,” delves into themes of death, despair, and the dissolution of meaning, often using imagery of a broken, desolate landscape.
3. “Dover Beach” by Matthew Arnold
   Arnold’s poem shares a similar sense of melancholy and reflection on human suffering, with the sea playing a role akin to the rain in “Rain.”
4. “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” by Robert Frost
   Both poems feature solitary speakers who contemplate life, death, and the significance of nature in their introspective moments.
5. “When You Are Old” by W.B. Yeats
   Yeats’ poem, like “Rain,” meditates on time, loss, and the fleeting nature of love, wrapped in a somber, reflective tone.

Representative Quotations of “Rain” by Edward Thomas

Quotation	Context	Theoretical Perspective
“Rain, midnight rain, nothing but the wild rain”	The opening line sets the scene of a relentless rainstorm, emphasizing the speaker’s isolation.	Ecocriticism: Nature, in the form of rain, is an overwhelming force that dominates the speaker’s experience and emotional state.
“On this bleak hut, and solitude, and me”	The speaker describes his physical and emotional seclusion, trapped in a desolate environment.	Existentialism: The bleakness of the setting mirrors the speaker’s existential loneliness and confrontation with meaninglessness.
“Remembering again that I shall die”	The speaker reflects on his inevitable death, prompted by the isolation and the sound of the rain.	Existentialism: A contemplation of mortality, showcasing the speaker’s awareness of death and the inherent solitude of existence.
“And neither hear the rain nor give it thanks”	The speaker imagines a time after his death when he will no longer experience the sensory world.	Phenomenology: Focuses on the sensory experience of the rain, which the speaker will lose after death, emphasizing the lived moment.
“For washing me cleaner than I have been”	The rain symbolizes purification, potentially spiritual, washing away the speaker’s emotional weight.	Psychoanalytic Criticism: The rain represents a cleansing force, symbolizing the speaker’s desire for emotional release or rebirth.
“Blessed are the dead that the rain rains upon”	The speaker expresses envy for the dead, who no longer endure suffering but find peace in death.	Thanatology (Study of Death): Death is idealized as a state of peace, free from the struggles and suffering experienced in life.
“But here I pray that none whom once I loved / Is dying tonight”	Despite his detachment, the speaker shows concern for loved ones who may be suffering.	Humanism: Despite the focus on death, the speaker’s compassion for others reflects a lingering connection to humanity and empathy.
“Helpless among the living and the dead”	The speaker feels trapped between the world of the living and the dead, powerless to change either state.	Psychoanalytic Criticism: Reflects the speaker’s inner conflict and feelings of helplessness, possibly rooted in unconscious fears.
“Like a cold water among broken reeds”	The speaker compares himself to lifeless “broken reeds,” symbolizing emotional fragility and despair.	Symbolism: The broken reeds symbolize emotional desolation and the fragility of the human spirit in the face of nature and death.
“Has not dissolved except the love of death”	The speaker claims that all love has been washed away by the rain, leaving only an acceptance of death.	Thanatology: This statement underscores the speaker’s resignation to death, viewing it as the only remaining “perfect” love.

Suggested Readings: “Rain” by Edward Thomas

1. Perry, Sam, et al. “‘In Search of Something Chance Would Never Bring’: The Poetry of R. S. Thomas and Edward Thomas.” The Review of English Studies, vol. 59, no. 241, 2008, pp. 582–603. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/20184733. Accessed 9 Oct. 2024.
2. LEITER, ROBERT. “On Edward Thomas.” The American Poetry Review, vol. 12, no. 4, 1983, pp. 43–45. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/27777220. Accessed 9 Oct. 2024.
3. Webb, Andrew. “Edward Thomas and Welsh Culture.” Proceedings of the Harvard Celtic Colloquium, vol. 37, 2017, pp. 274–88. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/45048899. Accessed 9 Oct. 2024.
4. Thiele, Sophie. “‘I Know Not Who These Mute Folk Are’ – Ghostly Houses in Early Twentieth Century English and American Poetry.” Ghosts – or the (Nearly) Invisible: Spectral Phenomena in Literature and the Media, edited by Maria Fleischhack and Elmar Schenkel, Peter Lang AG, 2016, pp. 115–24. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctv2t4d7f.14. Accessed 9 Oct. 2024.
5. KENDALL, JUDY. “Starting Points – How Poems Emerge.” Edward Thomas: The Origins of His Poetry, 1st ed., University of Wales Press, 2012, pp. 7–27. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt9qhdqq.7. Accessed 9 Oct. 2024.