Chapter 3: The Rainbow
Chapter Introduction
“The Rainbow” is a beautiful poem written by Christina Rossetti. In this poem, the poet compares boats, ships, and bridges with a rainbow. She explains that although boats sail on rivers and ships sail on seas, the rainbow that stretches across the sky is far more beautiful. The poem highlights the beauty of nature and encourages us to appreciate natural wonders.
Detailed Notes (Explanation)
This poem is about a rainbow and how beautiful it looks in the sky.
In the first part of the poem, the poet talks about boats and ships. Boats sail on rivers, and ships sail on seas. She also talks about clouds that move slowly across the sky. The poet says that clouds are prettier than boats and ships.
In the second part, the poet talks about bridges. Bridges are built over rivers so that people can cross them. But then she talks about the rainbow. She calls the rainbow a “bow.” Here, “bow” means a curved shape. The rainbow looks like a big colourful curved bridge in the sky.
The poet says the rainbow:
Goes higher than the trees.
Looks like it is joining the earth and the sky.
Is more beautiful than bridges made by people.
At the end, the poet tells us that the rainbow is the prettiest of all. She wants us to enjoy the beauty of nature.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Bow | A curved shape like an arch |
| Bridges | Structures built to cross rivers or roads |
| Overtops | Goes higher than |
| Heaven | The sky |
| Sail | To move smoothly across water or air |
Question & Answers
Q1. What does the word ‘bow’ mean in the poem?
Answer: It means a curved shape like an arch. It refers to the rainbow.
Q2. Which bridge does the poet like more?
Answer: The poet likes the rainbow more because it is more beautiful than man-made bridges.
Q3. What does the word ‘these’ refer to in stanza one?
Answer: It refers to boats and ships.
Q4. What does the word ‘these’ refer to in stanza two?
Answer: It refers to bridges built over rivers.
Q5. Where do boats and ships sail?
Answer: Boats sail on rivers and ships sail on seas.
Q6. What sails across the sky?
Answer: Clouds sail across the sky.
Q7. What does the rainbow seem to build?
Answer: It seems to build a road from earth to the sky.
Q8. What lesson do we learn from this poem?
Answer: We learn to admire and appreciate the beauty of nature.
Q9. How does the rainbow look in the sky?
Answer: It looks like a colourful curved bridge.
Q10. Why is the rainbow called magical?
Answer: Because it appears high in the sky and connects earth and heaven beautifully.