Rain, Edward Thomas: Summary, Analysis & Themes

A Comprehensive Summary and Analysis of Edward Thomas's ‘Rain’

Edward Thomas's poem, "Rain," written in 1916 amidst the tumult of the First World War, explores the somber reflections of a soldier confined in a hut, listening to the relentless sound of rainfall. This poem captures the profound loneliness and meditation on mortality that came with life in the trenches. Thomas tragically died at the Battle of Arras in 1917, making his contemplations in "Rain" a haunting foreshadowing of his fate.

Summary of 'Rain'

• Setting: The speaker, alone in a hut at midnight, listens to the wild, midnight rain. The wartime setting is bleak, likely resembling the trenches of Northern France or Belgium, where soldiers often endured extreme isolation.
• Reflection on Mortality: The sound of the rain reminds the speaker of his own mortality, acknowledging that one day he will no longer hear or feel this rain.
• Spiritual Cleansing: The rain is symbolic of a cleansing, making him feel spiritually purified, even "cleaner" than he has felt since birth.

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.

In these opening lines, rain is a powerful motif representing both isolation and renewal. The persistent sound of rain is a metaphor for the inescapable presence of death, yet it also serves as a force of spiritual purification, as the speaker reflects on his life and the idea of being "washed" clean by nature.

Themes of Rain in the Poem

The rain in Thomas's poem takes on a layered meaning, signifying not only the physical experience of solitude but also deeper themes:

• Rain as Isolation: The unyielding sound of rain amplifies the speaker's sense of loneliness, mirroring the psychological toll of being isolated and faced with thoughts of mortality.
• Rain as Purification: Symbolically, the rain represents a cleansing force, washing away the burdens of life and perhaps even the pain of war. It hints at the hope for renewal, even amid despair.
• Rain as a Reminder of Death: The persistent rain reinforces the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of death, making the speaker acutely aware of his own mortality.

Exploring the Theme of War in 'Rain'

The speaker shifts from self-reflection to empathy for his fellow soldiers, contemplating their suffering:

Blessed are the dead that the rain rains upon:
But here I pray that none whom once I loved
Is dying to-night 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,

Here, the speaker expresses a desire for peace for those who have died, particularly fellow soldiers. He blesses them, suggesting that death might be a release from the suffering brought by war. Yet, he also prays that no one he loves is suffering tonight, lying awake in solitude as he does. He feels the helplessness of both the living and the dead, likening himself and others to "broken reeds" battered by the indifferent "cold water" of life and war.

Conclusion of the Poem

The poem concludes with a reflection on the speaker’s relationship with death and the finality it offers:

Like me who have no love which this wild rain
Has not dissolved except the love of death,
If love it be towards what is perfect and
Cannot, the tempest tells me, disappoint.

In these lines, Thomas acknowledges that the “wild rain” has stripped away all loves and attachments, leaving only a love of death—perhaps because death promises an end to suffering and an unreachable sense of perfection. This closing sentiment reflects the depth of the speaker’s resignation, as he finds solace only in the inevitability of death.

Analysis of Poetic Form and Language

Thomas uses various poetic techniques to capture the somber, reflective mood:

• Repetition: The word "rain" is repeated throughout, echoing the monotonous, relentless sound that shapes the poem's melancholic tone.
• Blank Verse: Written in unrhymed iambic pentameter, the poem's free-flowing lines reflect the organic, meditative nature of the speaker’s thoughts. Assonance between words like "awake" and "rain" or "reeds" and "dead" provides a subtle rhythm.

The poem’s blank verse form allows for a natural, contemplative flow, reinforcing the vastness of the speaker’s solitude. The irregular rhyme scheme mirrors the randomness of the rain outside, with no clear sense of order or comfort, mirroring the speaker’s disoriented feelings of isolation and despair.

Romanticism and War Themes in 'Rain'

While Thomas’s work shows elements of Romanticism—solitude, introspection, and nature—it diverges from Romantic ideals, presenting nature as indifferent rather than redemptive:

• Edward Thomas as a Romantic Poet: Often associated with Romanticism, Thomas meditates on life and death in a solitary environment. However, unlike poets like Wordsworth, Thomas doesn’t find solace in nature; rather, he finds a stark reminder of mortality.
• Modern War Poem: "Rain" is a subtle yet powerful addition to war poetry, presenting a personal, contemplative perspective on war rather than focusing on patriotism or graphic descriptions of battle.

"Rain" serves as a nuanced reflection on war’s toll on the human psyche, conveying a blend of loneliness, helplessness, and resignation. The natural elements like rain and reeds echo the destruction and futility of war, yet without romanticizing the experience.

'Rain' as a Subtle War Poem

While poets like Rupert Brooke and Wilfred Owen often emphasized the horror or patriotism associated with war, Thomas’s "Rain" provides a unique perspective. His reflections are introspective, addressing the emotional burden of war through solitude and a meditative approach.

This restraint and quiet ambiguity lend "Rain" a timeless quality, making it a poignant, introspective exploration of both nature and human suffering.

Photo by Anastasia Nagibina