Powerpoint: Praise the Rain

Title of Poem: “Praise the Rain”

Type of Poem: Free Verse

Author: Joy Harjo

Literal Meaning:
The literal meaning of the poem is to praise the elements of the earth that we usually take for granted.

Imagery:

1]. IMAGE: Praise the rain, the seagull dive
The curl of plant, (1-2)

MEANING: This couplet begins the poem by providing the reader with imagery of a seagull diving, and a curly plant. This couplet sets the theme of nature and life of the poem.

2]. IMAGE: Praise the dark, the moon cradle
The sky fall, the bear sleep (5-6)

MEANING: As this poem continues on with it’s theme of praising nature, this couplet describes nature at night. It uses imagery to paint a picture of a bear sleeping below a dark sky and moon.

3]. IMAGE: Praise canoe, the fish rush (11)

MEANING: This line displays imagery by showing yet another element of nature. This describes a canoe and rush of fish. This could provide the reader with an image of a canoe floating in a river with fish rushing by.

Lyric Qualities:

1]. Lyric Device: Repetition– “Praise the rain; it brings more rain.
Praise the rain; it brings more rain” (21-22).
Meaning: The use of repetition is very prevalent in this poem. It is evident in the last two lines where the poet repeats the line, “Praise the rain; it brings more rain” (21). This repetition provides emphasis on the importance of “praising rain”, as the line says that praising rain, brings more rain.

2]. Lyric Device: Alliteration– “The earth eclipse, the fired leap—“ (8).
Meaning: Alliteration is present in this line with “e” sound at the beginning of “earth” and “eclipse”.

Figurative Meaning:

1]. Figurative Device: Personification– “The curl of plant, the raven talk­—“ (2).
Meaning: Personification is present in this line when the poet describes the “raven talk” (2). The ravens are described as having a talk, rather than cawing or croaking, therefore the ravens are being personified.

2]. Figurative Device: Metaphor– “The sky fall, the bear sleep­—“ (6)
Meaning: A metaphor is present in this line when the poet describes the sky as the “sky fall” (8). When looking at the previous line, “Praise the dark, the moon cradle” (7), I can assume that the “sky fall” (8), is a metaphor for it being night time; instead of the sky actually falling.

3. Figurative Device: Symbolism– “Praise the eater and the eaten.” (18).
Meaning: The use of Symbolism is present in this line when the poet says the “eater and the eaten”. I believe that the eater and the eaten represent a hunter and his prey, which could be humans and animals such as deer or bison. I believe that this line is telling the reader to “praise” and respect the process of the hunter and the hunted and it’s natural occurrence in nature.

Theme:
What do you think is the message of this poem?
I think the theme of this poem is to love life and respect nature. This is evident in lines such as “Praise beginnings; praise the end” (19). In this line, the poet is alluding to the circle of life, and the message she’s giving is to praise life, in the beginning (birth) and in the end (death). The poet, Joy Harjo, is part of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Native American Tribe. Respecting nature and the environment is a big part of Native American culture. Which is why I think the poet included such heavy themes of praising and respecting nature, as evident in lines such as “Praise the rain, the seagull dive
The curl of plant, the raven talk­—“ (1-2). Even the title of the poem “Praise the Rain” relates back to this theme. I think this is important, especially in today’s world, because of the many threats to our environment that have come as consequences of global industrialization and modernization.