Introduction
“The Rainbow” by Christina Rossetti is a short and delightful nature poem that celebrates the simple beauty of the world around us. The poet compares man-made wonders, such as boats and bridges, to natural wonders, like clouds and rainbows. Through this comparison, she reminds us that nature often holds more beauty than anything humans can create. The poem encourages readers, especially young ones, to observe their surroundings with imagination and joy. It’s a gentle reminder that the most magical sights are sometimes found in the sky above us.
Detailed Summary
First Stanza
Boats sail on the rivers,
And ships sail on the seas;
But clouds that sail across the sky
Are prettier far than these.
In the first stanza, the poet talks about boats that move on rivers and ships that move on seas. Rivers are smaller and flow through land, while seas are big and wide like huge water bodies. But the poet thinks the clouds in the sky, which look soft and float gently, are even more beautiful than the boats and ships.
Second Stanza
There are bridges on the rivers,
As pretty as you please;
But the bow that bridges heaven,
And overtops the trees,
And builds a road from earth to sky,
Is prettier far than these.
In the second stanza, the poet talks about bridges built over rivers, which look very pretty. But then she describes a special bridge in the sky, a rainbow. It looks like a colourful arch that stretches from the ground up to the sky. The poet thinks this rainbow is even more beautiful than real bridges. It shows how wonderful and amazing nature can be.
Try yourself:
What does the poet think is prettier than boats and ships?
- A.Bridges
- B.Seas
- C.Clouds
- D.Rivers
View Solution
Theme/ Message
- The poem brings out the beauty of nature, especially the sky and clouds, and shows how natural things can be more beautiful than man-made creations.
- It encourages the use of imagination, like seeing clouds as boats and rainbows as bridges, to enjoy and understand the world in a fun and creative way.
- There is a sense of connection between the earth and the sky, and between humans and nature, reminding us that we are part of a larger, beautiful world.
- The poem teaches us to pause and appreciate the simple things around us. It reminds readers that even everyday sights can be full of wonder if we take time to notice them.
- It shows that imagination makes life more joyful. Looking at the world with creative eyes helps us see magic in ordinary moments.
Difficult Words
- Sail: To travel by boat or ship on water.
- Bridges: Structures built to cross over rivers or roads.
- Bow: A curved shape, or in this case, it refers to the rainbow shape connecting the earth to the sky.
- Overtops: To rise above something.