essay about rainbow

A rainbow is a multicolored arc made by light striking water droplets.

Earth Science, Meteorology, Geography, Physics

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The most familiar type rainbow is produced when sunlight strikes raindrops in front of a viewer at a precise angle (42 degrees). Rainbows can also be viewed around fog , sea spray , or waterfalls .

A rainbow is an optical illusion —it does not actually exist in a specific spot in the sky. The appearance of a rainbow depends on where you're standing and where the sun (or other source of light) is shining.

The sun or other source of light is usually behind the person seeing the rainbow. In fact, the center of a primary rainbow is the antisolar point , the imaginary point exactly opposite the sun.

Rainbows are the result of the refraction and reflection of light. Both refraction and reflection are phenomena that involve a change in a wave 's direction. A refracted wave may appear "bent," while a reflected wave might seem to "bounce back" from a surface or other wavefront.

Light entering a water droplet is refracted. It is then reflected by the back of the droplet. As this reflected light leaves the droplet, it is refracted again, at multiple angles.

The radius of a rainbow is determined by the water droplets' refractive index . A refractive index is the measure of how much a ray of light refracts (bends) as it passes from one medium to another—from air to water, for example. A droplet with a high refractive index will help produce a rainbow with a smaller radius. Saltwater has a higher refractive index than freshwater, for instance, so rainbows formed by sea spray will be smaller than rainbows formed by rain.

Rainbows are actually full circles. The antisolar point is the center of the circle. Viewers in aircraft can sometimes see these circular rainbows.

Viewers on the ground can only see the light reflected by raindrops above the horizon . Because each person's horizon is a little different, no one actually sees a full rainbow from the ground. In fact, no one sees the same rainbow—each person has a different antisolar point, each person has a different horizon. Someone who appears below or near the "end" of a rainbow to one viewer will see another rainbow, extending from his or her own horizon.

A rainbow shows up as a spectrum of light: a band of familiar colors that include red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet. The name " Roy G. Biv " is an easy way to remember the colors of the rainbow, and the order in which they appear: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo , and violet. (Many scientists, however, think "indigo" is too close to blue to be truly distinguishable .)

White light is how our eyes perceive all the colors of the rainbow mixed together. Sunlight appears white. 

When sunlight hits a rain droplet, some of the light is reflected. The electromagnetic spectrum is made of light with many different wavelengths , and each is reflected at a different angle. Thus, spectrum is separated, producing a rainbow.

Red has the longest wavelength of visible light, about 650 nanometers . It usually appears on the outer part of a rainbow's arch. Violet has the shortest wavelength (about 400 nanometers) and it usually appears on the inner arch of the rainbow.

At their edges, the colors of a rainbow actually overlap. This produces a sheen of "white" light, making the inside of a rainbow much brighter than the outside.

Visible light is only part of a rainbow. Infrared radiation exists just beyond visible red light, while ultraviolet  is just beyond violet. There are also radio waves (beyond infrared), x-rays (beyond ultraviolet), and gamma radiation (beyond x-rays). Scientists use an instrument called a spectrometer to study these invisible parts of the rainbow.

Rainbow Variations  

The atmosphere opposite a rainbow, facing the sun, is often glowing. This glow appears when rain or drizzle is falling between the viewer and the sun.

The glow is formed by light passing through raindrops, not reflected by them. Some scientists call this glow a zero-order glow.

Double Rainbow

Sometimes, a viewer may see a "double rainbow." In this phenomenon, a faint, secondary rainbow appears above the primary one.

Double rainbows are caused by light being reflected twice inside the raindrop. As a result of this second reflection, the spectrum of the secondary rainbow is reversed: red is on the inner section of the arch, while violet is on the outside.

Higher-Order Rainbows

Light can be reflected from many angles inside the raindrop. A rainbow's "order" is its reflective number. (Primary rainbows are first-order rainbows, while secondary rainbows are second-order rainbows.) Higher-order rainbows appear to viewers facing both toward and away from the sun.

A tertiary rainbow, for example, appears to a viewer facing the sun. Tertiary rainbows are third-order rainbows—the third reflection of light. Their spectrum is the same as the primary rainbow.

Tertiary rainbows are difficult to see for three main reasons. First, the viewer is looking toward the sun—the center of a tertiary rainbow is not the antisolar point, it's the sun itself. Second, tertiary rainbows are much, much fainter than primary or secondary rainbows. Finally, tertiary rainbows are much, much broader than primary and secondary rainbows.

Quaternary rainbows are fourth-order rainbows, and also appear to viewers facing the sun. They are even fainter and broader than tertiary rainbows.

Beyond quaternary rainbows, higher-order rainbows are named by their reflective number, or order. In the lab, scientists have detected a 200th-order rainbow. 

Twinned Rainbow

A twinned rainbow is two distinct rainbows produced from a single endpoint. Twinned rainbows are the result of light hitting an air mass with different sizes and shapes of water droplets—usually a raincloud with different sizes and shapes of raindrops.

Supernumerary Rainbow

A supernumerary rainbow is a thin, pastel-colored arc usually appearing below the inner arch of a rainbow. Supernumeraries are the result of the complex interaction of light rays in an air mass with small, similarly sized water droplets.

In supernumerary formation, reflected rays interact in ways called constructive and destructive interference . Light is either reinforced ( constructive interference ) or canceled out (destructive interference). Interference is responsible for the lighter hues and narrower bands of supernumeraries.

Reflection Rainbow

A reflection rainbow appears above a body of water. A primary rainbow is reflected by the water, and the reflected light produces a reflection rainbow. Reflection rainbows do not mirror the primary rainbow—they often appear to stretch above it.

Reflected Rainbow

A reflected rainbow appears directly on the surface of a body of water. A reflected rainbow is created by rays of light reflected by the water surface, after the rays have have passed through water droplets. Reflected rainbows to not appear to form a circle with a primary rainbow, although their endpoints seem to meet in an almond-shaped formation.

Red Rainbow

A red rainbow, also called a monochrome rainbow, usually appears at sunrise or sunset. During this time, sunlight travels further in the atmosphere, and shorter wavelengths (blue and violet) have been scattered. Only the long-wavelength red colors are visible in this rainbow.

A fogbow is formed in much the same way as a primary rainbow. Light in a fogbow is refracted and reflected by fog (water droplets suspended in air). A fogbow seen in the clouds is called a cloudbow.

Because the water droplets in fog are much smaller than raindrops, fogbows have much fainter colors than rainbows. In fact, some fogbows have few detectable colors at all and appear mostly white, with a reddish tinge on their outer edge and a bluish tinge on their inner edge.

A moonbow, also called a lunar rainbow, is a rainbow produced by light reflected by the moon.

The moon itself does not emit light, of course. Moonlight is reflected sunlight, as well as some starlight and " Earthlight ." Because moonlight is so much fainter than sunlight, moonbows are dimmer than rainbows.

Rainbows in Myth

Rainbows are part of the myths of many cultures around the world. Rainbows are often portrayed as bridges between people and supernatural beings. In Norse mythology , for instance, a rainbow called the Bifrost connects Earth with Asgard, where the gods live. In the ancient beliefs of Japan and Gabon, rainbows were the bridges that human ancestors took to descend to the planet.

The shape of a rainbow also resembles the bow of an archer . Hindu culture teaches that the god Indra uses his rainbow bow to shoot arrows of lightning .

Rainbows are usually positive symbols in myths and legends. In the Epic of Gilgamesh and, later, the Christian Bible, the rainbow is a symbol from a deity (the goddess Ishtar and the Hebrew God) to never again destroy Earth with floods.

Sometimes, however, rainbows are negative symbols. In parts of Burma, for instance, rainbows are considered demons that threaten children. Tribes throughout the Amazon Basin associate rainbows with disease.

Perhaps the most famous piece of mythology surrounding rainbows is the Irish legend of the pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. The gold is guarded by a tricky leprechaun , but—because no one sees the same rainbow and rainbows don't "end" (they're circles)—no one ever finds the gold or the magical creature.

Rainbow Flags

Rainbow flags usually appear as stripes (bands) of at least five different colors. Rainbow flags have long represented groups championing diversity , respect, and inclusiveness .

The Wiphala is a type of rainbow flag. It is a symbol of communities indigenous to the Andes, stretching from modern-day Ecuador to Chile. A Wiphala has been an official flag of Bolivia since 2009, when the nation elected its first indigenous president, Evo Morales. The Wiphala features a diagonal patchwork design with squares in different rainbow colors. Different arrangements of patchwork squares represent different Andean communities.

The Buddhist flag, designed in the 19th century, is flown by Buddhists around the world. It is a vertical arrangement of six bands, each representing a different aspect of Buddhism, from kindness to moderation, blessings to wisdom.

The Jewish Autonomous Oblast, a community on Russia's border with China, is represented by a seven-banded rainbow flag. The seven bands symbolize the seven branches of a menorah .

The most familiar rainbow flag may be the banner representing the movement supporting civil rights for members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender ( LGBT ) community. The different colors of the "LGBT pride" flag represent the diverse community itself, as well as different aspects associated with each color. Orange, for example, symbolizes health and healing, while green symbolizes nature.

Rainbows Near and Far Some scientists think rainbows also exist on Titan, one of the moons of the planet Saturn. Titan has a wet surface and humid clouds. The sun is also visible from Titan, so it has all the ingredients for rainbows.

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October 19, 2023

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Essay On Rainbow – 10 Lines, Short and Long Essay

Key Points to Remember When Writing Essay on Rainbow

What is rainbow, 5 lines on rainbow in english for children, 10 lines on rainbow, a paragraph on rainbow, short essay on rainbow in english, long essay on rainbow for children, amazing facts about rainbow for children, what will your child learn from rainbow essay, faq’s.

Essay writing is a profound way for learners to express their understanding and perspectives on various subjects. It hones their  critical thinking , enhances linguistic skills, and fosters creativity. The topic in focus today is the rainbow essay in English. Delving into this subject presents the beauty and science behind rainbows and exemplifies how nature can be both simple and complex. The essay on rainbow for children and students is specifically tailored to elucidate this captivating phenomenon in a comprehensive yet easily graspable manner for young minds. As children embark on this enlightening journey, they will appreciate the magnificence of a rainbow, feel the joy of learning, and recognise the power and benefits of well-articulated expression.

Crafting an insightful and engaging essay on any topic requires careful consideration of its various facets. When students, especially those in the early stages of their academic journey, decide to write a rainbow essay, there are specific aspects they should bear in mind. These elements add depth to their writing and make their essay resonate more with the readers. Here are some crucial points for writing rainbow essay for classes 1, 2, and 3:

• Understanding the Basics:  Before delving deep, ensure you know the fundamental principles behind the formation of a rainbow. This foundational knowledge will act as the bedrock for your essay.
• Cultural and Mythological References:  Rainbows have been significant in various cultures worldwide. Mentioning some of these can make the essay more interesting and informative.
• Simple Language:  Use straightforward and clear language for a rainbow essay. Young readers or listeners must grasp the concept effortlessly.
• Include Personal Observations:  Have you ever witnessed a rainbow? Share your personal experience or feelings about it. This personal touch can make your essay more relatable and vivid.
• Visual Aids:  If possible, include a drawing or illustration of a rainbow. Visuals can reinforce understanding and make the essay more engaging.
• Conclude with a Takeaway:  End the essay with a thought-provoking statement or a  fact about rainbows  that readers can ponder, ensuring your essay leaves a lasting impression.

At its core, a rainbow is a breathtaking visual spectacle, a semicircular spectrum of colours that one can sometimes see in the sky when sunlight interacts with raindrops. But there’s much more to this natural wonder than what meets the eye. Let’s dive deeper into understanding the essence of a rainbow.

A rainbow results from a series of physical processes: refraction (bending of light), reflection, and dispersion (spreading out) of light within water droplets in the atmosphere (1) . This interaction between light and droplets produces a spectrum of colours in the sky. The sequence of colours in a typical rainbow is violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange, and red, often remembered by the acronym VIBGYOR.

Introducing young minds to the marvels of nature can be a delightful experience. The rainbow, a symphony of colours in the sky, is one of those phenomena that never fails to capture children’s imagination. While detailed essays provide an in-depth understanding, just a few lines can sometimes spark curiosity and wonder in young hearts. Specially designed for young learners, here are 5 lines about rainbows suitable for kindergarten students and those in the early years of school.

1. A rainbow is a beautiful curve of colours in the sky.

2. It appears when sunlight shines through raindrops.

3. Rainbows have seven colours: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet.

4. We often see a rainbow after a rain shower when the sun comes out.

5. It looks like a colourful bridge in the sky.

These few lines on Rainbow for Kindergarten offer a concise yet enchanting glimpse into the world of rainbows, ensuring young learners remain captivated and inspired to explore more.

The beauty of nature is vast and varied, with the rainbow standing out as one of its most magical displays. Often, children are left gazing skywards, captivated by this burst of colours following a drizzle. An essay for kids can provide a deeper understanding while nurturing their natural curiosity. While comprehensive essays elucidate the topic further, a few lines can sometimes vividly paint the picture and convey the essential details. Here are a few lines about the rainbow that encapsulate its wonder in ten brief points.

1. A rainbow is a mesmerising display of colours in the sky.

2. It forms when sunlight interacts with raindrops in the atmosphere.

3. The colours of a rainbow are red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet.

4. The scientific processes behind its formation are refraction, reflection, and dispersion of light.

5. Rainbows are often seen when the sun shines after a brief spell of rain.

6. A double rainbow can sometimes be spotted, with the outer one having colours in reverse.

7. Sir  Isaac Newton  was the scientist who first identified the seven colours of the rainbow.

8. Rainbows have inspired numerous myths, legends, and stories across cultures.

9. Some people believe that a pot of gold can be found at the end of a rainbow.

10. Rainbows symbolise hope, beauty, and the wonders of nature.

Writing a paragraph about rainbows is like opening the door to a magical world of colours and wonder. We can describe how rainbows appear after rain and are made of different colours. We can also talk about stories about rainbows, like finding a pot of gold at the end. Writing this paragraph is our chance to share the beauty of rainbows with others!

Rainbows are a mesmerising meteorological phenomenon that often captivates observers with their brilliant hues stretching across the sky. They result from a delicate dance between sunlight and water droplets in the air. When sunlight passes through these droplets, it refracts or bends and then reflects off the inner surface of the raindrop. As the light exits the droplet, it refracts again at a different angle. This series of refraction and reflection disperses the light into its various colours, presenting us with the stunning spectrum visible as a rainbow, encompassing the familiar sequence of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet.

Rainbows in Culture and Mythology

Beyond their scientific explanation, rainbows hold profound symbolic meaning in various cultures and mythologies worldwide. For many, they symbolise hope and promise, often representing a bridge between the earthly realm and the divine. In numerous legends and myths, the appearance of a rainbow has been interpreted as a sign of blessings, peace, or a forthcoming change. Rainbows’ beauty and ethereal nature have given them a revered place in literature, art, and popular culture, constantly reminding them of the magic in our natural world.

Rainbows, with their fleeting beauty and breathtaking array of colours, have always held a special place in the hearts of many. Writing a short essay about rainbows is like painting a picture with words. This essay aims to both educate and inspire budding young writers.

A rainbow emerges when sunlight interacts with rain droplets in the atmosphere. This interaction leads to reflection, refraction, and dispersion processes, resulting in a spectrum of colours visible to the naked eye: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. The exact appearance of a rainbow depends on the size of the rain droplets and the angle of sunlight.

Beyond the science of its creation, rainbows have been significant in numerous cultures and religions. They are seen as symbols of hope, promises, and new beginnings. After a storm or a bout of rain, a rainbow serves as a gentle reminder that even after the darkest times, beauty and light are waiting to emerge. Literature and art, too, have celebrated this natural phenomenon, using it as a metaphor for hope, diversity, and unity.

Understanding the rainbow’s intricacies offers a balance between natural wonders and scientific insights for young learners. This long essay for class 3 and above classes dives deep into the phenomenon of rainbows, ensuring a comprehensive understanding for students, enriching their knowledge, and nurturing their enthusiasm for writing rainbow essays.

The rainbow, a multi-coloured arc in the sky, has intrigued and inspired generations of observers. Its beauty, blended with the science behind its formation, makes it a captivating subject for academic exploration.

Rainbow Types

While the traditional arc-shaped rainbow is the most commonly recognised, there are several types of rainbows based on their formation and appearance:

1. Primary Rainbow: The brightest and most vivid rainbow type displays the VIBGYOR colour spectrum  (3) .

2. Secondary Rainbow:  Formed outside the primary arc, it is fainter with colours reversed.

3. Double Rainbow:  A phenomenon where primary and secondary rainbows appear simultaneously.

4. Supernumerary Rainbows:  Faint rainbows appear inside the primary rainbow with pastel-like bands.

5. Twinned Rainbow:  A rare occurrence where two separate arcs originate from the same base.

6. Monochrome Rainbows:  These rainbows appear as a single colour, often in conditions like fog, and lack the diverse spectrum of a traditional rainbow.

How Are Rainbows Formed?

The formation of a rainbow is a blend of art and science, weaving together various physical processes. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown:

1. Light Refraction:  When sunlight enters a raindrop, it slows down, bending as it passes into this denser medium.

2. Dispersion:  Due to varying wavelengths, light further splits into constituent colours inside the droplet. This spreading out of light is called dispersion.

3. Internal Reflection:  The dispersed light reflects off the inner surface of the raindrop.

4. Exit and Second Refraction:  As the light exits the droplet, it refracts again, further separating the colours. This process makes the different colours visible to observers on the ground.

Significance of 7 Different Colours of Rainbow

Each hue in the rainbow’s spectrum holds particular significance, both scientifically and culturally:

• Red:  The outermost colour of the rainbow, it signifies passion, love, and energy in various cultures.
• Orange:  A blend of red and yellow, orange represents creativity, warmth, and enthusiasm.
• Yellow:  Situated in the middle of the spectrum, it is often associated with joy, happiness, and the sun’s energy.
• Green:  Bridging the warm and cool colours, green symbolises life, growth, and nature.
• Blue:  Representing calm and serenity, blue often finds associations with the sky and sea.
• Indigo:  This deeper shade of blue hints at the mysteries of the universe and the depth of human introspection.
• Violet:  The innermost colour, violet, is often linked with royalty, luxury, and spirituality.

The natural world is filled with wonders; among them, the rainbow is a standout spectacle. Its mesmerising bands of colours have been a source of fascination for both the young and old alike. But beyond its aesthetic allure, the rainbow is also a treasure trove of intriguing facts and mysteries. For the budding young minds eager to discover more, here’s a compilation of fantastic tidbits about this celestial marvel. Let’s dive into these fascinating facts that make the rainbow even more magical for children!

• Circular Rainbows:  While we often see a semicircular arc, rainbows are full circles. It’s just that the ground obstructs the bottom half.
• No Two People See the Same Rainbow:  It’s a personalised view! The rainbow you see depends on the raindrops reflecting and refracting the light to your eyes.
• Moonbows:  Rainbows don’t just appear in daylight. Under the right conditions, moonlight can produce “moonbows”, albeit fainter and often colourless due to our eyes’ nighttime sensitivity.
• Red Is Always Outermost:  In a primary rainbow, red is always on the outer edge, while violet sits on the innermost part.
• Rainbow Temperature:  Cool fact: Rainbows can give a hint about the temperature. If the half-circle is high in the sky, it’s often nearing noon and warm; if it’s low, it might be morning or late afternoon, implying cooler temperatures.
• More than Seven Colours:  Our eyes typically pick up seven colours in a rainbow, but there are countless shades in between, making the actual number much higher.
• Double Rainbows: Have you ever seen a fainter arc outside a primary rainbow? That’s a secondary rainbow, with its colours reversed (Violet to Red)  (4) .
• Alexander’s Dark Band: The area of the sky between a primary and secondary rainbow looks darker. This phenomenon is known as “Alexander’s Dark Band” (5) .
• Rainbows Aren’t Just from Rain:  While rain is the most common medium, rainbows can also be formed from other water sources, such as mist, spray, and fog.
• Rainbows in Mythology:  Throughout history, different cultures have revered rainbows. Norse mythology saw it as a bridge between the gods and Earth, while Greek mythology considered it the path made by the messenger Iris between Earth and Heaven.

The world of essays isn’t merely an avenue for children to improve their writing skills or to get good grades; it’s also a portal to knowledge, understanding, and broadened horizons. The act of writing or even reading an essay can be transformative. So, when your child delves into an essay about a natural wonder like the rainbow, what profound learnings can they derive from it? Let’s explore this.

1. Science Meets Art:  The rainbow is a marriage of scientific processes and nature’s artistry. Children will understand the intertwining of reflection, refraction, and dispersion, which makes a rainbow possible. This can nurture a deep-seated appreciation for how science is always at play around us.

2. Cultural Connections:  Rainbows have been part of mythologies, stories, and art across cultures and civilisations. This essay helps children see how different cultures perceive the same phenomenon, fostering an appreciation for global diversity.

3. Language Skills:  Crafting or reading a well-structured essay will inevitably sharpen a child’s linguistic abilities. They’ll learn to structure their thoughts, employ descriptive language, and use varied sentence constructs.

4. Critical Thinking:  Understanding the various types of rainbows, their formations, and the conditions that lead to their emergence prompts children to think critically. It trains them to analyse situations and outcomes.

5. Aesthetic Appreciation:  Beyond science and culture, children will learn to value the sheer beauty of the world around them. They’ll begin to see the wonder in everyday natural occurrences, nurturing a lifelong appreciation for the environment.

6. Symbolism and Interpretation:  Rainbows often symbolise hope, diversity, and new beginnings. Recognising these symbolisms helps children develop deeper interpretative skills, not just in nature but also in literature, art, and life scenarios.

7. Holistic Knowledge:  The essay won’t just be about light and droplets; it’s also about history, geography, weather patterns, and even human psychology. It provides a holistic view, showing children how interconnected knowledge domains are.

1. When does the rainbow appear?

A rainbow typically appears when raindrops are in the air and sunlight shines from behind at a low angle. The sunlight gets refracted, or bent, as it enters a water droplet. The light reflects off the inside surface of the droplet, and as it exits, it turns again. This process can result in a spectrum of colours appearing in the sky (2) . The most common time to see a rainbow is after a rain shower in the late afternoon or early morning when the sun is low in the sky.

2. What is a monochrome rainbow?

A monochrome rainbow, as the name suggests, is a rainbow that displays only a single colour. These rainbows typically arise under certain conditions, such as when the rain droplets are of a particular size. For example, a blue or green monochrome rainbow can be seen during a fine drizzle where the droplets are smaller. Fog bows appear in fog (comprising tiny water droplets), often white or blueish, and can be considered a monochrome rainbow. The colour of the monochrome rainbow largely depends on the droplets’ size and the incoming sunlight’s angle.

With their ethereal beauty and the science behind their formation, rainbows have been a constant source of intrigue and inspiration across ages and cultures. This essay’s journey, beginning with the fundamental definitions and advancing to complex phenomena and cultural interpretations, provides an understanding of this celestial marvel and showcases how intertwined nature, science, and culture can be. For children and students, essays like these don’t merely serve academic purposes; they instil a sense of wonder, curiosity, and a deep appreciation for the world around them. Whether you’re gazing at the sky after a rain shower or diving into the depths of essays like these, there’s always a rainbow of knowledge and beauty waiting to be discovered.

References/Resources:

1. Rainbow; National Geographic; https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/rainbow/

2. What Causes a Rainbow?; SciJinks; https://scijinks.gov/rainbow/

3. rainbow; Britannica; https://kids.britannica.com/kids/article/rainbow/400160

4. What is a double rainbow?; Met Office; https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/learn-about/weather/optical-effects/rainbows/double-rainbows

5. Alexander’s band; Institute of Physics; https://spark.iop.org/alexanders-band

Also Read: Top 5 Rainbow Songs for Children

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Rainbow and Its Various Aspects Research Paper

Introduction, causes and formation, types of rainbows, general facts in regard to a rainbow, works cited.

A rainbow can be defined as an arch of colors that is usually formed in the sky under certain circumstances. The main cause of the formation of rainbow is the refraction and dispersion of the sun light which occur in the event of rainfall or any other form of moisture that could be present in the atmosphere. The seven colors in a rainbow are identified as violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange and red although these are those that are visible with many others that are not.

Rainbows are known to take many forms for instance red bows, twinned bows, dark bands, colored fringes, spokes, bows that cross among others depending on the circumstances under which they are formed. This piece of work gives an investigation of the various aspects associated with a rainbow for instance how it is formed and the causes of its formation as well as the various forms of rainbows.

Rainbows are familiar among various people in the universe since they can easily observe it but the underlying principles behind its causes and formation still remain unclear. According to Oblack (2011, par 1), a rainbow is formed through the interaction of sunlight and moisture in the atmosphere.

The sunlight is usually made up of various colors and water in the atmosphere for example rain droplets act like a prism through which the sun rays are refracted so that the various colors ( red, yellow, indigo, violet, orange, blue and green among others) of the sunlight can been displayed as a rainbow.

We can, therefore, say that rainbows are caused by the ripping of white sunlight into its constituent colors which is made possible by the raindrops. The water droplets acts as a prism which is responsible for the refraction and reflection processes that are necessary for the formation of the rainbow or rather the display of the various colors contained therein.

According to Oblack (2008 par 3), there are various types of rainbows for example primary rainbows, secondary rainbows, glory clouds and the supernumerary rainbows. Primary rainbows form at the core with the red color being the outermost in the primary bow while the others are within. The bow is usually very shiny. The secondary (rainbow) on the other hand is reasonably fainter (as compared to the primary rainbow) owing to the second reflection and emerges outside the primary one.

This type of rainbow is formed when sunlight undergoes two reflections as it hits the water droplets as opposed to one reflection as it is the case in the formation of the primary rainbow. The glory cloud develops when the sunlight enters a cloud which contains water droplets of relatively the same size. The glory cloud is usually opposite the sun, that is, at the Anti solar point. The anti solar point is the point that is directly opposite the sun as one can view it.

It can be said in simple terms to be the line that seems to connect the sun, the observer and the specific location of the glory cloud. The supernumerary rainbows are formed as a result of interference of the sunlight where it is forced to go through different paths in a water droplet which explains the wave nature of light (Walker 429)

These different types of rainbows can then be divided into other general forms of rainbows for example reflection rainbows which are usually formed as a result of reflection of the source of light which is principally the sun. A reflection rainbow is a blend of two divergent rainbows which result from light coming from the sun and its reflected image.

Lunar rainbow on the other hand is formed as a result of the moon’s refraction as opposed to the sun. This is possible when there is the presence of a full moon since it is usually bright enough and its light can be refracted by the water droplets. The lunar rainbow is nonetheless dim than solar rainbow because the light involved is also not as bright as that of the sun.

A double rainbow is completed when raindrops reflect the sunlight inwardly making it probable for us to see a dark band right between the bows. A secondary rainbow is usually seen on the outer part of the primary bow and it entails two reflections. The second reflection is particularly in charge of the inversion of the colors of a (secondary) rainbow as opposed to the primary bow.

There is also another form of rare rainbow by the name, monochrome rainbow. This is rarely experienced and it is formed when there is a shower mainly during the sunrise or sunset when the sun rays are not very hot. In such a time the spectrum is not usually full and the shorter wavelengths are usually absent or scattered making the rainbow appear quite different as compared to when the sun is still very hot.

The fact that the spectrum is not usually full when the monochrome rainbow appears is not a justification that these types of rainbows appear under the moonlight. This is because rainbows under moonlight appear in the presence of a full spectrum but they seem to be white in color due to our inability to see the colors clearly (The National Center for Atmospheric Research par 12).

It is argued that for an individual to view a rainbow there must be the presence of both the sun and moisture in the atmosphere. One also has to be at an angle of approximately 42 degrees to view it clearly. A rainbow is not located at a particular position in the sky as many people may think but rather its position is dependent upon some factors for instance the sun’s position at a particular time and the viewer’s location. It is made of more than the seven colors we see and the colors are also seen differently by different people.

The rainbow appears in the opposite direction in respect to the sun in regard to the viewer’s perspective with the core part of the rainbow appearing to be brighter as compared to the external areas of the rainbow.

Rainbows formation is made possible due to the geometry of raindrops and it follows that the sun usually shine from behind us and its rays enter the raindrops where they are refracted inwards then reflected from the raindrop and finally refracted from it coming back to the viewer’s eyes. For there to be a rainbow formation, the sunbeams are refracted as it goes into the surface of a water droplet then reflected to the back of the droplet and finally refracted in the event of leaving the droplet.

This causes reflection of the incoming sunlight over various angles to a maximum of around 42 degrees depending on aspects like the size of the droplet and the refractive index which is different in different waters. The rainbow colors are in the shape of a circle but as we observe it we just see part of the circle due to the long distance hence the arch shape (Anonymous 1).

Rainbows are perceived differently with many myths being formulated in regard to their presence. It is associated with various cultural and religious aspects depending on various societies and their beliefs. It has for example been considered in Greek to be the trail that was made between the earth and heaven by Iris, a messenger.

The people of China on the other hand had for a long time believed that a rainbow stood for an incision in the sky which had been closed up by a goddess employing stones that were of diverse colors. Some of these myths have been proven wrong as research has advanced and people have been able to gain a clear understanding of various aspects of rainbows (Supriya 2).

The aspect of rainbows have been studied for a very long time especially while studying other aspects of reflection and refraction but it is evident that people still know little about the underlying concepts of the rainbows for instance causes and even the circumstances through which they are formed.

Anonymous. “ What causes a rainbow? ” Howstuffworks , 2011. Web.

Oblack, Rachelle. “Glory Clouds’. About. 2008. Web.

Oblack, Rachelle. “Rainbows”. About. 2011. Web.

The National Center for Atmospheric Research. “About Rainbows.” Ucar , 2011. Web.

Supriya, Sharon. “Interesting Myths and Facts about the Rainbow”. Oneindia , 2008. Web.

Walker, Jearl. Multiple Rainbows from a Single Drop of Water and Other Liquids. American Journal of Physics Vol. 44, No. 5, pages 421-433 1976.

• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2024, January 25). Rainbow and Its Various Aspects. https://ivypanda.com/essays/rainbows/

"Rainbow and Its Various Aspects." IvyPanda , 25 Jan. 2024, ivypanda.com/essays/rainbows/.

IvyPanda . (2024) 'Rainbow and Its Various Aspects'. 25 January.

IvyPanda . 2024. "Rainbow and Its Various Aspects." January 25, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/rainbows/.

1. IvyPanda . "Rainbow and Its Various Aspects." January 25, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/rainbows/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Rainbow and Its Various Aspects." January 25, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/rainbows/.

• The Optical Laws of Refraction and Reflection of a Light Beam
• Sky and Clouds Colors as Natural Phenomenon
• Transmission Based Precautions
• Concept and History of the Lasers Usage
• Should There Be a Limit to What Scientists Can Discover and Create When It Relates to the Wealfare of Humanity?
• Why Nuclear Energy Is Not Good?
• Energy and Momentum in the Daily Life
• Theoretical Aspects of Quantum Teleportation

Student Essays

3 Essays on Beautiful Rainbow For Students

People often see rainbows in different ways. They either represent a visual miracle or symbolize hope. The appearance of a rainbow is often filled with mystery and wonder. There are many different symbols people can learn from rainbows. Rainbows usually appear after a period of rainfall or when the sun’s light shines through water droplets in the air. They come in many colors, but we mostly see them as red, orange, yellow, green and blue.

Essay on Rainbow | Rainbow Formation, Short & Long Essay on Rainbow for Students

Rainbows are one of the most lovely and colorful phenomena that appear in our sky. They can be seen after or during rain. As the sun rises, its light is refracted by water droplets into its component colors creating a spectrum of light. Due to this phenomenon, we see a bow with around seven colors if we look at it from a distance.

Rainbows can be seen after or during rain. As the sun rises, its light is refracted by water droplets into its component colors creating a spectrum of light. Due to this phenomenon, we see a bow with around seven colors if we look at it from a distance.

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Rainbow Formation

Rainbows are formed by the refraction and reflection of light in water droplets, similar to rainbows formed in a glass cylinder (or on a body of water such as a lake or ocean) by sunlight interacting with the surface of the water. The rainbow is beautiful color combination.  The rainbow effect is commonly attributed to dispersion of light into its component spectral colors, i.e., the separation of white light into a rainbow spectrum.

Why We See it after Rain?

We can see a huge bow in the sky after or during rains. It appears only after the sun rises, making us wonder as to what is there inside it!  When you are sad or depressed, do not go out of your way trying to find the bow. If you keep on looking for it, then there might be a probability that you may not see it even if you are standing right under the rain. The best thing to do is go out under the sun and look up towards the sky!

Rainbow symbolizes hope because after every storm comes sunshine! Seeing rainbow after rain gives an amazing feeling of happiness to us.  So we should see rainbow after rain for the happiness and good feeling it gives us.

Rainbows are so beautiful because they present a wonderful sight to us. When we see the rise of sun in the sky, we get to watch nine natural phenomena presented before our very eyes.  We get to see the sunrays, various colors of sky like blue and flame red color, rise in the form of clouds, droplets coming down as rain etc. Also when we see a Rainbow; it is supposed that an angel is smiling upon us.

Rainbow Makes Children Happy

When children see rainbows after or during rain, they get really happy. They are amused by the huge bow in the sky and start enjoying themselves to no extent! Also, when a child is sad or was crying, their parents make them look at the rainbow so that their mood becomes better. Children look up towards it with joy. Hence, they become happy at the sight of a rainbow.

Our ancestors have described rainbow as a bridge between Earth and Heavens, so it gives us immense happiness when we see it here on earth. It becomes an indication that someone up there is pleased with our deeds or it may be a sign that something special is going to happen in your life!

Thus, we learn from the symbolism of Rainbow that it is a bridge between Heaven and Earth. It becomes a sign that someone up there is pleased with our deeds or something special is going to happen in your life. Also, rainbows give us immense happiness by presenting a beautiful sight before us! They come as a good omen after every storm, giving us hope that there is happiness around the corner. So, every time you see a Rainbow after rain, do not forget to appreciate it and thank God for making your day enjoyable!

Short Paragraph on Rainbow For Students

Rainbow has become an integral part of human culture. It is also visible in mythology, literature, art and film due to its beauty and diverse phenomena associated with it. Even some religions have referred to the rainbow while describing a bridge between Earth and Heavens!

A big, beautiful bow in the sky after or during rain is what you see when you look up towards it. In addition, you can also see different colors of the sky, rising sunrays which appear like a sun in miniature, and that is why it looks like a bow.

You do not need to go out of your way trying to find the bow; if you keep on looking for it, there might be a probability that you may not see it even if you are standing right under the rain. The best thing to do is go out under the sun and look up towards it!

We can see a huge bow in the sky after or during rains. It appears only after the sun rises, making us wonder as to what is there inside it!  When you are sad or depressed, do not go out of your way trying to find the bow. If you keep on looking for it, then there might be a probability that you may not see it even if you are standing right under the rain.

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The best thing to do is go out under the sun and look up towards the sky! Rainbow symbolizes hope because after every storm comes sunshine! Seeing rainbow after rain gives an amazing feeling of happiness to us.  So we should see rainbow after rain for the happiness and good feeling it gives us.

Essay on Rainbow in English:

Rainbow is one of the most beautiful natural phenomenons that can be seen in the sky after a rain shower. It appears as a multicolored arch across the sky, making it a breathtaking sight to behold.

The scientific explanation behind this phenomenon is the reflection, refraction, and dispersion of sunlight through water droplets in the atmosphere. However, the beauty and magic of a rainbow go far beyond its scientific explanation.

Rainbows have been mentioned in various mythologies, folklores, and religious texts throughout history. In Greek mythology, rainbow was believed to be a path created by goddess Iris between heaven and earth. In Norse mythology, rainbows were seen as bridges that connected the realm of gods with the mortal world.

Similarly, in Hinduism and Buddhism, rainbows symbolize different divine beings such as Indra, Vishnu or Buddha. These beliefs reflect the idea that rainbows are mystical and divine, representing a connection between humans and the spiritual world.

In modern times, rainbows have become a symbol of hope, diversity, and inclusivity. The rainbow flag has been adopted by the LGBTQ+ community as a symbol of pride and acceptance. It represents the diverse spectrum of identities within the community and signifies their fight for equality and visibility.

Similarly, in recent years, many organizations and corporations have also started using rainbows in their logos to showcase their support for diversity and inclusion. This has helped in spreading awareness and promoting acceptance towards all individuals regardless of their race, gender, or sexual orientation.

Apart from its cultural and symbolic importance, rainbows also have a significant impact on our mood and emotions. Many people find rainbows to be uplifting and joyful, bringing a sense of wonder and awe. It is believed that gazing at a rainbow can even bring good luck and prosperity.

Short Essay on Rainbow

A rainbow is a natural phenomenon that occurs when the sun’s rays are refracted and reflected through water droplets in the atmosphere. It appears as an arc of different colors, with red being at the top and violet at the bottom. Rainbows are one of the most beautiful and awe-inspiring sights in nature, and they have fascinated humans for centuries.

The Science behind Rainbows:

Rainbows are caused by the breaking down of white light into its individual colors through a process called refraction. When sunlight passes through raindrops, each color has a different angle of refraction due to the varying wavelengths. The result is a spectrum of colors that we see as a rainbow.

However, not all rainbows are the same. Double rainbows occur when light is reflected twice through the water droplets, creating a secondary arc above the primary one. The colors in a double rainbow appear in reverse order. Supernumerary rainbows are rare and occur when the water droplets are of similar size, resulting in a faint inner rainbow.

Symbolism and Meaning:

Rainbows have been revered by many cultures throughout history, often symbolizing hope, promise, and good luck. In Greek mythology, the rainbow was considered a path to the heavens for the gods to travel on. In Christianity, it is seen as a sign of God’s promise not to flood the world again. In many other cultures, rainbows are associated with peace, beauty, diversity and unity.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, rainbows are not just a beautiful natural phenomenon, but also hold significant cultural and symbolic meanings. They remind us of the wonders of nature and bring hope and positivity in our lives.

The next time you see a rainbow, take a moment to appreciate its beauty and reflect on its significance. So, let’s enjoy every moment with this wonderful gift from Mother Nature! So keep your eyes open for any sightings of this magical arc in the sky. Happy chasing! What are you waiting for

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9 of the Best Poems about Rainbows

By Dr Oliver Tearle (Loughborough University)

Rainbows, like many beautiful natural sights and phenomena, have provided poets with colourful material – quite literally – for centuries. Below, we’ve chosen ten of the very best rainbow poems for your enjoyment.

James Thomson, ‘ The Rainbow ’.

Here, awful Newton, the dissolving clouds Form, fronting on the sun, thy showery prism; And to the sage-instructed eye unfold The various twine of light, by thee disclosed From the white mingling maze.

In his poem Lamia , John Keats famously lamented the fact that Isaac Newton’s work with prisms had managed to ‘unweave a rainbow’; here, though, James Thomson (best-known as the author of the long poem The Seasons ) celebrates Newton’s discoveries. (The word ‘awful’ here means ‘inspiring awe’.)

William Wordsworth, ‘ My heart leaps up ’.

In this short poem, which embodies many of the features and qualities associated with Romanticism, Wordsworth observes a rainbow in the sky and is filled with joy at the sight of a rainbow: a joy that was there when Wordsworth was very young, is still there now he has attained adulthood, and – he trusts – will be with him until the end of his days.

If he loses this thrilling sense of wonder, what would be the point of living? In summary, this is the essence of ‘My heart leaps up’.

Thomas Campbell, ‘ To the Rainbow ’.

Triumphal arch, that fill’st the sky When storms prepare to part, I ask not proud Philosophy To teach me what thou art; – Still seem; as to my childhood’s sight, A midway station given For happy spirits to alight Betwixt the earth and heaven …

Campbell (1777-1844) was a Scottish poet and one of the initiators of a plan to found what later became University College London. We love his description of a rainbow as a triumphal arch made by nature.

Charles Lamb, ‘ The Rainbow ’.

After the tempest in the sky How sweet yon rainbow to the eye! Come, my Matilda, now while some Few drops of rain are yet to come, In this honeysuckle bower Safely sheltered from the shower, We may count the colours o’er …

Lamb (1775-1834) is perhaps best-known for his essays, and for co-authoring the Tales from Shakespeare with his sister, Mary. But he was also a perfectly good poet, as this rainbow poem demonstrates.

Felicia Dorothea Hemans, ‘ The Rainbow ’.

But mark! what arch of varied hue From heaven to earth is bowed? Haste, ere it vanish, haste to view The Rainbow in the cloud …

Hemans (1793-1835) is remembered for two poems: the poem which begins ‘The boy stood on the burning deck’ and ‘The Stately Homes of England’. But she was a fine Romantic poet, as this rainbow poem demonstrates.

Emily Dickinson, ‘ The Rainbow Never Tells Me ’.

Another poem in which the rainbow is a gateway to truth and even revelation, and short enough to include in full here:

The rainbow never tells me That gust and storm are by, Yet is she more convincing Than Philosophy.

My flowers turn from Forums— Yet eloquent declare What Cato couldn’t prove me Except the birds were here!

Emily Dickinson, ‘On this long storm the Rainbow rose’.

Dickinson wrote so well about rainbows that she gets two poems on this list. Again, this beautiful rainbow poem is short enough to be quoted in full:

On this long storm the Rainbow rose— On this late Morn—the Sun— The clouds—like listless Elephants— Horizons—straggled down—

The Birds rose smiling, in their nests— The gales—indeed—were done— Alas, how heedless were the eyes— On whom the summer shone!

The quiet nonchalance of death— No Daybreak—can bestir— The slow—Archangel’s syllables Must awaken her!

W. H. Davies, ‘ The Kingfisher ’.

Best-known for his poem ‘Leisure’, W. H. Davies also penned a number of other fine nature poems. Here, although it’s the kingfisher that Davies is eulogising, he does so by drawing on rainbows, seeing the kingfisher’s colourful appearance as inspired by the rainbow:

Go you and, with such glorious hues, Live with proud peacocks in green parks; On lawns as smooth as shining glass, Let every feather show its marks …

Les Murray, ‘ An Absolutely Ordinary Rainbow ’.

Focusing on a man crying in the middle of the street, and exploring how various people turn from their daily lives to watch him, ‘An Absolutely Ordinary Rainbow’ is absolutely not an ordinary rainbow poem.

Instead, it’s an extraordinary poem about masculinity and human empathy, and the only rainbow that appears is in the form of a simile. Still, this poem seems like the perfect one to conclude our pick of the best rainbow poems, given its emotional power.

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Essay on The Rainbow

We all have seen a rainbow, one day or the other. It is a very beautiful sight. A rainbow is an arch or a bow of seven colours, that appears in the sky.

We see a rainbow only when there is sunlight and rain at the same time.

It appears when raindrops act as prisms.

They split the white sunlight into its basic colours. The rainbow is not a real thing but an illusion. In ancient times people believed it was the bow of Indra, The king of Gods.

Some others said it was a bridge created by God to connect heaven and earth. Do you like to see a rainbow without rain?

Then take a mouthful of water, face the sun and blow the water out as fine spray. You will see a small rainbow before you.

Speech on: The Rainbow

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English Essay, Paragraph, Speech on “The Rainbow” for Kids, Students of Class 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 CBSE, ICSE Board Examination

The rainbow.

If we had to pay a rupee to see a sunset, we might think it was worth looking at. But as sunsets are to be seen free, few people stop to look at them, though they are much more wonderful and beautiful than the scenes in a theatre or the pictures in a cinema, which people rush and pay to see. For if we see beautiful things constantly, we, at last, cease to see them, though we may stop to stare at something that can be seen only very seldom. So people who do not turn their heads to look at the moon or a sunset, or get out of bed to see the dawn, will run to look at a comet, and stop to stare at a rainbow. What I mean is, with most people a thing must be either rare or dear, before they will bother to see it.

It is true that we have not to pay to see a rainbow, but rainbows do not come very often, and so they are uncommon enough to make us stare at one when we see it. And a rainbow is well worth staring at, for it is a very beautiful sight. It appears in the sky when the sun is shining and it is raining; and is a perfect arc or half-circle of light of lovely colours. When it appears, someone is sure to cry out with pleasure and wonder, “O look! there is a rainbow.” And we do look at it until, as the rain stops or the sun is hidden by a cloud, the rainbow fades away. A great English poet, called Words-worth, has a beautiful poem about the rainbow, beginning

“My heart leaps up when I behold A rainbow in the sky”.

What is a rainbow? Well, if we take a piece of three-sided glass or crystal (called a prism) and let a beam of light shine through it, we will see the light come out at the other side in many colours. For a beam of white light is really made up of seven colours – violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange and red. The prism splits the white light into these seven different rays of light. Now the drops of rain as they fall do the same thing as the prism does, and split the white sunlight up into the seven colours, which appear as the beautiful rainbow. That is why we can never see a rainbow unless it is raining when the sun is shining, and why it fades away when the rain stops.

The rainbow is the sign of hope. Perhaps people think of it in this way because a rainbow generally appears towards the end of a shower of rain, and tells them that the rain is nearly over and it will soon be fine again.

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The importance and meaning of rainbows: an essay by an 8-year-old boy.

Dear Friends,

I came home from work yesterday to this.

My dog dyed rainbow.

Given the SCOTUS ruling yesterday that made same-sex marriage legal nationwide, I thought my kids might be celebrating. You know, being timely! And up to date on current events! I don’t know how I thought they would’ve picked up that news from playing Minecraft all day, but a mama can hope her babies pay attention to Supreme Court decisions while she’s at work, can’t she? Then it occurred to me that the last time the kids dyed the dog, it was to paint flames down his sides, and I didn’t assume they were celebrating arson. So I asked them why they did it. Why did they paint the dog to look like a rainbow? Other than the obvious, of course; that they had a) paint and b) a dog. 

So we sat outside late at night as the heat faded and so did the sun, and we talked about rainbows. Rainbows and color. Rainbows and God. Rainbows and people. Rainbows and life and how we approach each other with compassion and kindness. And this morning, Cai, one of our 8-year-olds, sat down to write you this essay. Cai’s last essay here was co-written with his twin brother. It was  about Penis Tendons . Because I told them, if they wanted to guest post on this blog, they must choose an important topic, spell words correctly, pay attention to sentence craft and structure, have a POINT and a conclusion, and it had to be about be about something that will improve the lives of others. So, Penis Tendons , obviously. Since then, they’ve tossed around the idea of guest posting again, but the writing muse eluded them. Until now. 

And so, because Cai asked, and because Cai has important and wise things to say, I give you Cai’s Essay on The Importance and Meaning of Rainbows. 

The Importance and Meaning of Rainbows by Cai Woolsey, age 8

Yesterday my brother Cael and me dyed Chip’s hair rainbow. Chip is our dog. He is friendly and nice but not always. He is white with curly hair. He is 9 years old and he barks for five minutes at a stranger but after that he cools down.

Our friend Kasey helped dye Chip’s ears and the top of his head red, and we used her hair dye.

We painted the dog because I thought it would be a good surprise on my parents, and I thought it would be a good look on Chip. We think it is.

Other kids should and shouldn’t dye their dogs. You shouldn’t dye your dog because if your dog doesn’t have white hair it wouldn’t look so good, but if your dog does have white hair it would look great, so then you should.

Let’s talk about the importance of rainbows. I dyed my dog rainbow because I like rainbows. They are full of beautiful colors that are all different.

In the Bible, the rainbow symbolizes new life. Do you remember the story of Noah’s Ark? The story of Noah’s Ark is about Noah and his family building a huge wooden boat, and God tells Noah to gather two of each animal and put it in the boat. His family gets on the boat with him and there is a huge flood that floods the whole earth. After the flood there is a rainbow and the rainbow is a symbol of new life and promise that God would never flood the earth again.

In America, rainbows symbolize that a boy and a boy can get married and a girl and a girl can get married if they want to. I think that it’s a good idea because if a girl and a girl or a boy and a boy are in love that they should be allowed to get married.

Rainbows are the most cool in science because you get to see that light is made up of the colors of the rainbow. All of the colors are very different and beautiful, and the rainbow is the most beautiful of all because it is all the colors together. It is just like God shining through us. We are all different and beautiful, and we’re even more beautiful all together.

I think rainbows remind us of the Fruit of the Spirit which is in the Bible, too. Those are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, and self-control.

Some people say rainbows are a girl thing. They are wrong because PEOPLE CAN LIKE ANYTHING NO MATTER WHAT.

This story is important because I hope that people will think differently about rainbows. Rainbows are for all people. They are about love and light and God and new life. You should never misjudge a rainbow; it’s like never judge a book by its cover. What you find inside is most important.

……….

Cai Woolsey is 8 years old.

When he grows up, he wants to be a doctor because he likes being around people, talking to them, and helping them.

Cai likes to type essays while sporting pink and blue nail polish and wearing his shirt backwards on purpose. At age 6, he coined the phrase, “ All the colors are for all the people ,” a slogan he lives by today. 

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21 responses to “The Importance and Meaning of Rainbows: An Essay by an 8-Year-Old Boy”

What an amazing little boy you are raising. So thoughtful and reflective. Love this.

Keep up the good work!

Hey Beth, Congrats for Cai’s achievement. The wisdom you have inculcated in him is totally adorable. Do share more of his work.

Well said and well written, Cai!

I have nine year old twins,and I loved your essay! It was beautifully written. I especially loved the part where you said “People can like anything no matter what”. I also love your slogan “All the colors are for all the people,” My son’s favorite color is pink!

[…] The Importance and Meaning of Rainbows: An Essay by an 8-Year-Old Boy at Five Kids Is A Lot Of Kids – “Rainbows are the most cool in science because you get to see that light is made up of the colors of the rainbow. All of the colors are very different and beautiful, and the rainbow is the most beautiful of all because it is all the colors together. It is just like God shining through us. We are all different and beautiful, and we’re even more beautiful all together.” […]

From the mouths of babes! 🙂 I love your site, Beth! It is the only one I subscribe to with my work email (shhhh! don’t tell!), so I don’t miss a post. Thanks for the middle-of-the day laughs and inspirations, and for your honesty and humor.

Thank you Cai (and Beth) for a beautiful post.

It has been a very exciting week for me as a woman who loves another woman. After 5 years, we are now married in Ohio where we live. We love that our love is now recognized.

But it has also been sad. Because a few family members and people I know and people I don’t know have reacted negatively to my marriage – my personal rainbow. Today, their negativity really got me down. Especially the negativity of people who love Jesus, because I love Jesus too and believe that Jesus loves me.

Then someone told me about your mom’s blog and it has been a wonderful discovery! You are both such great writers and have blessed my spirit with your words. Please keep writing, the world needs more awesome from you.

P.S. I’m now going to read your essay on Penis Tendons. I will probably share it with my 11yo son. I’m sure that we will both admire your work.

Wow Cai!! That was a wonderful essay! I agree with yoy, PEOPLE CAN LIKE ANYTHING NO MATTER WHAT. You are a very smart young man. I look forward to more essays from you. P.S. Chip looks awesome, you were right!

What an intelligent young man. Very well said. <3

“Rainbows are the most cool in science because you get to see that light is made up of the colors of the rainbow. All of the colors are very different and beautiful, and the rainbow is the most beautiful of all because it is all the colors together. It is just like God shining through us. We are all different and beautiful, and we’re even more beautiful all together.” This just might be my favorite paragraph.

Stunningly beautiful, and accurate. Thoughtful and well written. Most adults don’t write their thoughts that well.

What a great essay. Thank you for sharing your insights and the great picture of your dog!

Well said Cai, thanks for sharing your essay with everyone. You are a very intelligent young man.

I didn’t think anyone could ever outdo Justice Kennedy’s majority opinion, but here it is, just a day later. The most important thing I’ve read all year, by an 8-year-old.

Cai, you are a wise young man. I hope you will always be able to see the rainbows inside people.

Cai, you made my day! I am a teacher and you are the kind of kid I would love to have in my class. You see the world as we all should and you have the power to change the thinking of children and adults. Keep up the good job! Ps, I love the pattern of your nail polish, and the dog looks awesome.

Brilliant! Cai has changed the way I will look at rainbows from now on.

Love this, Cai! Thank you for sharing such wonderful thoughts. I’m very encouraged by your perspective.

Thank you for this.

Oh Cai, you are one wise and well spoken(written) kid. I think we learn more interesting things about each other when we find out what others like. You are also incredibly creative. I’m not sure I would have thought about dying a dog but why not? It’s just hair and it looks like so much fun! Now I wish I had a dog. Do you think somene should get a dog so they could dye his hair? You seem to be full of good advice.

Love this picture too. You seem to be working very hard. Well done and keep writing!

Heather (who loves rainbows and people but doesn’t have a dog)

Perfectly said!

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71 Exulting Poems About Rainbows

Here are my favorite poems about rainbows categorized:

• Short poems about rainbows
• Poems about rainbows and hope
• Rainbow poems that rhyme
• Poems about rainbows and death
• Poems about rainbows and love

So if you want the best poems about rainbows, then you’re in the right place.

Let’s get started!

• 37 Adrenaline-Pumping Poems About Pearls
• 25 Enjoyable Poems About Seashells
• 153 Serene Poems About Rivers
• 43 Wave-Kissed Poems About the Ocean

Exulting Poems About Rainbows

Embark on a vivid journey through the enchanting world of rainbows with our carefully curated collection of handpicked poems.

Delight in the beauty and symbolism of rainbows as you explore a diverse array of verses, ranging from concise and evocative poems that capture their fleeting essence to heartfelt compositions that weave rainbows with the tapestry of love.

Immerse yourself in the captivating allure of these radiant natural wonders, as you discover the finest poems celebrating rainbows, all gathered conveniently in one extraordinary compilation.

My #1 Favorite Poem About Rainbows

“The Rainbow” by William Wordsworth

My heart leaps up when I behold A rainbow in the sky: So was it when my life began; So is it now I am a man; So be it when I shall grow old, Or let me die! The Child is father of the Man; I could wish my days to be Bound each to each by natural piety.

Short Poems About Rainbows

“Upon Julia’s Ribbon” by Robert Herrick

As shews the air when with a rain-bow graced, So smiles that ribbon ’bout my Julia’s waist; Or like Nay, ’tis that Zonulet of love, Wherein all pleasures of the world are wove.

“The Rainbow” by Walter De La Mare

I saw the lovely arch Of Rainbow span the sky, The gold sun burning As the rain swept by.

In bright-ringed solitude The showery foliage shone One lovely moment, And the Bow was gone.

“Dedication: Riley Child-Rhymes” by James Whitcomb Riley

He owns the bird-songs of the hills – The laughter of the April rills; And his are all the diamonds set In Morning’s dewy coronet, – And his the Dusk’s first minted stars That twinkle through the pasture-bars And litter all the skies at night With glittering scraps of silver light; – The rainbow’s bar, from rim to rim, In beaten gold, belongs to him.

“XVII: Asleep” by Emily Dickinson

As far from pity as complaint, As cool to speech as stone, As numb to revelation As if my trade were bone.

As far from time as history, As near yourself to-day As children to the rainbow’s scarf, Or sunset’s yellow play

To eyelids in the sepulchre. How still the dancer lies, While color’s revelations break, And blaze the butterflies!

“The Rainbow” by Robert Herrick

Look how the rainbow doth appear But in one only hemisphere; So likewise after our decease No more is seen the arch of peace. That cov’nant’s here, the under-bow, That nothing shoots but war and woe.

“The Rainbow, Or Curious Covenant” by Robert Herrick

Mine eyes, like clouds, were drizzling rain; And as they thus did entertain The gentle beams from Julia’s sight To mine eyes levell’d opposite, O thing admir’d! there did appear A curious rainbow smiling there; Which was the covenant that she No more would drown mine eyes or me.

“The Sea of Glass” by Ezra Pound

I looked and saw a sea roofed over with rainbows, In the midst of each two lovers met and departed; Then the sky was full of faces with gold glories behind them.

“Deaf And Dumb – A Group By Woolner” by Robert Browning

Only the prism’s obstruction shows aright The secret of a sunbeam, breaks its light Into the jewelled bow from blankest white; So may a glory from defect arise: Only by Deafness may the vexed Love wreak Its insuppressive sense on brow and cheek, Only by Dumbness adequately speak As favoured mouth could never, through the eyes.

“XXXVII” by Emily Dickinson

The dying need but little, dear, — A glass of water’s all, A flower’s unobtrusive face To punctuate the wall,

A fan, perhaps, a friend’s regret, And certainly that one No color in the rainbow Perceives when you are gone.

“Emily Brontë” by Louise Imogen Guiney

What sacramental hurt that brings The terror of the truth of things Had changed thee? Secret be it yet. ’T was thine, upon a headland set, To view no isles of man’s delight, With lyric foam in rainbow flight, But all a-swing, a-gleam, mid slow uproar, Black sea, and curved uncouth sea-bitten shore.

“The Rainbow” by Thomas Campbell

Triumphal arch, that fills the sky When storms prepare to part, I ask not proud Philosophy To teach me what thou art. Still seem, as to my childhood’s sight, A midway station given, For happy spirits to alight, Betwixt the earth and heaven.

“The Luzumiyat of Abu’l-Ala, XXX” by Al-Ma‘arri (Ameen Rihani, Translator)

Or wilt thou commerce have with those who make Rugs of the rainbow, rainbows of the snake, Snakes of a staff, and other wondrous things?— The burning thirst a mirage can not slake.

“The Rainbow” by Felicia Hemans

Bright pledge of peace and sunshine! the surety Of thy Lord’s hand, the object of His eye! When I behold thee, though my light be dim, Distant and low, I can in thine see Him Who looks upon thee from His glorious throne, And minds the Covenant ’twixt All and One.

“Fragment” by Amy Lowell

What is poetry? Is it a mosaic Of coloured stones which curiously are wrought Into a pattern? Rather glass that’s taught By patient labor any hue to take And glowing with a sumptuous splendor, make Beauty a thing of awe; where sunbeams caught, Transmuted fall in sheafs of rainbows fraught With storied meaning for religion’s sake.

“The Beautiful” by J.R Barrick

I asked the artist, dreaming a dream, For the ideal of his soul, As he sought to mirror the spirit’s light That over his senses stole; In the heavy sigh of his sad reply, I read how the task was vain, To trace on the vacant canvas there The image of heart and brain.

I asked the poet one summer eve, Alone in the spell of his thought, For the form that over his fancy stole, The shadow his spirit sought; With a mournful voice he rose to tell How wildly and madly he strove To link his rhyme to the silver chime Of the ringing stars above.

I asked his theme, in a musing mood, Of the proud philosopher, His soul to the shrine of Nature wed, A votive worshiper. He deigned to tell how the Beautiful Had lured him from his birth, Leading his eye afar through the sky And over the wastes of earth.

I asked the good man, rising devout, One eve, from his silent prayer, If ever a sense of the Beautiful Was his in devotion to share; “”T is the Spirit of God,” was his answer meek, “Abroad in the earth and sky: By day and by night its blazing light As a beacon to the eye.”

I saw it then in the glow of a star, In the hue of the beautiful flower, Its spell abroad in the glaring day, In the hush of the midnight hour; Its image bright as a rainbow set In the murky cloud of sight, At morn and eve sent down from heaven Its fountain of glory and light.

“The Rainbow” by Henry Reed Conant

Howe’er dark the clouds may hover O’er thy pathway, ne’er repine; Mark thou, when the storm is over, In the heaven that beautious line!

Poems About Rainbows and Hope

“Rain And Rainbow” by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

During a heavy storm it chanced That from his room a cockney glanced At the fierce tempest as it broke, While to his neighbour thus he spoke: “The thunder has our awe inspired, Our barns by lightning have been fired,– Our sins to punish, I suppose; But in return, to soothe our woes, See how the rain in torrents fell, Making the harvest promise well! But it’s a rainbow that I spy Extending o’er the dark-grey sky? With it I’m sure we may dispense, The colour’d cheat! The vain pretence!” Dame Iris straightway thus replied: “Dost dare my beauty to deride? In realms of space God station’d me A type of better worlds to be To eyes that from life’s sorrows rove In cheerful hope to Heav’n above, And, through the mists that hover here God and his precepts blest revere. Do thou, then, grovel like the swine, And to the ground thy snout confine, But suffer the enlighten’d eye To feast upon my majesty.”

“The Prism” by George MacDonald

I. A pool of broken sunbeams lay Upon the passage-floor, Radiant and rich, profound and gay As ever diamond bore.

Small, flitting hands a handkerchief Spread like a cunning trap: Prone lay the gorgeous jewel-sheaf In the glory-gleaner’s lap!

Deftly she folded up the prize, With lovely avarice; Like one whom having had made wise, She bore it off in bliss.

But ah, when for her prisoned gems She peeped, to prove them there, No glories broken from their stems Lay in the kerchief bare!

For still, outside the nursery door, The bright persistency, A molten diadem on the floor, Lay burning wondrously.

II. How oft have I laid fold from fold And peered into my mind— To see of all the purple and gold Not one gleam left behind!

The best of gifts will not be stored: The manna of yesterday Has filled no sacred miser-hoard To keep new need away.

Thy grace, O Lord, it is thyself; Thy presence is thy light; I cannot lay it on my shelf, Or take it from thy sight.

For daily bread we daily pray— The want still breeds the cry; And so we meet, day after day, Thou, Father in heaven, and I.

Is my house dreary, wall and floor, Will not the darkness flit, I go outside my shadowy door And in thy rainbow sit.

“An Old Year’s Address” by James Whitcomb Riley

‘I have twankled the strings of the twinkering rain; I have burnished the meteor’s mail; I have bridled the wind When he whinnied and whined With a bunch of stars tied to his tail; But my sky-rocket hopes, hanging over the past, Must fuzzle and fazzle and fizzle at last!’

I had waded far out in a drizzling dream, And my fancies had spattered my eyes With a vision of dread, With a number ten head, And a form of diminutive size– That wavered and wagged in a singular way As he wound himself up and proceeded to say,–

‘I have trimmed all my corns with the blade of the moon; I have picked every tooth with a star: And I thrill to recall That I went through it all Like a tune through a tickled guitar. I have ripped up the rainbow and raveled the ends When the sun and myself were particular friends.’

And pausing again, and producing a sponge And wiping the tears from his eyes, He sank in a chair With a technical air That he struggled in vain to disguise,– For a sigh that he breathed, as I over him leant, Was haunted and hot with a peppermint scent.

‘Alas!’ he continued in quavering tones As a pang rippled over his face, ‘The life was too fast For the pleasure to last In my very unfortunate case; And I’m going’–he said as he turned to adjust A fuse in his bosom,–‘I’m going to–BUST!’

I shrieked and awoke with the sullen che-boom Of a five-pounder filling my ears; And a roseate bloom Of a light in the room I saw through the mist of my tears,– But my guest of the night never saw the display, He had fuzzled and fazzled and fizzled away!

“Sunrise On The Hills” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

I stood upon the hills, when heaven’s wide arch Was glorious with the sun’s returning march, And woods were brightened, and soft gales Went forth to kiss the sun-clad vales. The clouds were far beneath me; bathed in light, They gathered midway round the wooded height, And, in their fading glory, shone Like hosts in battle overthrown. As many a pinnacle, with shifting glance. Through the gray mist thrust up its shattered lance, And rocking on the cliff was left The dark pine blasted, bare, and cleft. The veil of cloud was lifted, and below Glowed the rich valley, and the river’s flow Was darkened by the forest’s shade, Or glistened in the white cascade; Where upward, in the mellow blush of day, The noisy bittern wheeled his spiral way.

I heard the distant waters dash, I saw the current whirl and flash, And richly, by the blue lake’s silver beach, The woods were bending with a silent reach. Then o’er the vale, with gentle swell, The music of the village bell Came sweetly to the echo-giving hills; And the wild horn, whose voice the woodland fills, Was ringing to the merry shout, That faint and far the glen sent out, Where, answering to the sudden shot, thin smoke, Through thick-leaved branches, from the dingle broke.

If thou art worn and hard beset With sorrows, that thou wouldst forget, If thou wouldst read a lesson, that will keep Thy heart from fainting and thy soul from sleep, Go to the woods and hills! No tears Dim the sweet look that Nature wears.

“The Kingfisher” by William Henry Davies

It was the Rainbow gave thee birth, And left thee all her lovely hues; And, as her mother’s name was Tears, So runs it in my blood to choose For haunts the lonely pools, and keep In company with trees that weep.

Go you and, with such glorious hues, Live with proud peacocks in green parks; On lawns as smooth as shining glass, Let every feather show its marks; Get thee on boughs and clap thy wings Before the windows of proud kings.

Nay, lovely Bird, thou art not vain; Thou hast no proud, ambitious mind; I also love a quiet place That’s green, away from all mankind; A lonely pool, and let a tree Sigh with her bosom over me.

“XXXV: The Goal” by Emily Dickinson

Each life converges to some centre Expressed or still; Exists in every human nature A goal,

Admitted scarcely to itself, it may be, Too fair For credibility’s temerity To dare.

Adored with caution, as a brittle heaven, To reach Were hopeless as the rainbow’s raiment To touch,

Yet persevered toward, surer for the distance; How high Unto the saints’ slow diligence The sky!

Ungained, it may be, by a life’s low venture, But then, Eternity enables the endeavoring Again.

“The Rainbow Of Promise” by Ella Wheeler Wilcox

In the face of the sun are great thunderbolts hurled, And the storm-clouds have shut out its light; But a Rainbow of Promise now shines on the world, And the universe thrills at the sight.

Tis the flag of our Union, the red, white, and blue, Our Star-spangled Banner-our pride; Fair symbol of all that is noble and true, Flung out over continents wide.

Flung out in its glory o’er land and o’er sea, With a message from God in each star; And a glorious promise of peace yet to be In the fluttering folds of each bar.

A Rainbow of Promise, bright emblem of hope, Fair flag of each cause that is just; No longer in doubt or in darkness we grope- In the Star-spangled Banner we trust.

“Hiawatha’s Childhood” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

By the shores of Gitche Gumee, By the shining Big-Sea-Water, Stood the wigwam of Nokomis, Daughter of the Moon, Nokomis. Dark behind it rose the forest, Rose the black and gloomy pine-trees, Rose the firs with cones upon them; Bright before it beat the water, Beat the clear and sunny water, Beat the shining Big-Sea-Water. There the wrinkled old Nokomis Nursed the little Hiawatha, Rocked him in his linden cradle, Bedded soft in moss and rushes, Safely bound with reindeer sinews; Stilled his fretful wail by saying, “Hush! the Naked Bear will hear thee!” Lulled him into slumber, singing, “Ewa-yea! my little owlet! Who is this that lights the wigwam? With his great eyes lights the wigwam? Ewa-yea! my little owlet!” Many things Nokomis taught him Of the stars that shine in heaven; Showed him Ishkoodah, the comet, Ishkoodah, with fiery tresses; Showed the Death-Dance of the spirits, Warriors with their plumes and war-clubs, Flaring far away to northward In the frosty nights of winter; Showed the broad, white road in heaven, Pathway of the ghosts, the shadows, Running straight across the heavens, Crowded with the ghosts, the shadows. At the door, on summer evenings, Sat the little Hiawatha; Heard the whispering of the pine-trees, Heard the lapping of the water, Sounds of music, words of wonder; “Minnie-wawa!” said the pine-trees, “Mudway-aushka!” said the water; Saw the fire-fly, Wah-wah-taysee, Flitting through the dusk of evening, With the twinkle of its candle Lighting up the brakes and bushes, And he sang the song of children. Sang the song Nokomis taught him: “Wah-wah-taysee, little fire-fly, Little, flitting, white-fire insect, Little, dancing, white-fire creature, Light me with your little candle, Ere upon my bed I lay me, Ere in sleep I close my eyelids!” Saw the moon rise from the water Rippling, rounding from the water, Saw the flecks and shadows on it, Whispered, “What is that, Nokomis?” And the good Nokomis answered: “Once a warrior, very angry, Seized his grandmother, and threw her Up into the sky at midnight; Right against the moon he threw her; ‘Tis her body that you see there.” Saw the rainbow in the heaven, In the eastern sky, the rainbow, Whispered, “What is that, Nokomis?” And the good Nokomis answered: “Tis the heaven of flowers you see there; All the wild-flowers of the forest, All the lilies of the prairie, When on earth they fade and perish, Blossom in that heaven above us.” When he heard the owls at midnight, Hooting, laughing in the forest, “What is that?” he cried, in terror; “What is that,” he said, “Nokomis?” And the good Nokomis answered: “That is but the owl and owlet, Talking in their native language, Talking, scolding at each other.” Then the little Hiawatha Learned of every bird its language, Learned their names and all their secrets, How they built their nests in summer, Where they hid themselves in winter, Talked with them whene’er he met them, Called them “Hiawatha’s Chickens.” Of all beasts he learned the language, Learned their names and all their secrets, How the beavers built their lodges, Where the squirrels hid their acorns, How the reindeer ran so swiftly, Why the rabbit was so timid, Talked with them whene’er he met them, Called them “Hiawatha’s Brothers.

“The Skylark” by Thomas Hogg

Bird of the wilderness, Blithesome and cumberless, Sweet be thy matin o’er moorland and lea! Emblem of happiness, Blest is thy dwelling-place— Oh, to abide in the desert with thee! Wild is thy lay and loud, Far in the downy cloud, Love gives it energy, love gave it birth. Where, on thy dewy wing, Where art thou journeying? Thy lay is in heaven, thy love is on earth. O’er fell and fountain sheen, O’er moor and mountain green, O’er the red streamer that heralds the day, Over the cloudlet dim, Over the rainbow’s rim, Musical cherub, soar, singing, away! Then, when the gloaming comes, Low in the heather blooms Sweet will thy welcome and bed of love be! Emblem of happiness, Blest is thy dwelling-place— Oh, to abide in the desert with thee!

“The Rainbow Bridge” by Samuel Griswold Goodrich

Love and Hope and Youth, together Travelling once in stormy weather, Met a deep and gloomy tide, Flowing swift and dark and wide. ‘Twas named the river of Despair, And many a wreck was floating there! The urchins paused, with faces grave, Debating how to cross the wave, When lo! the curtain of the storm Was severed, and the rainbow’s form Stood against the parting cloud Emblem of peace on trouble’s shroud! Hope pointed to the signal flying, And the three, their shoulders plying, O’er the stream the light arch threw A rainbow bridge of loveliest hue! Now, laughing as they tripped it o’er, They gayly sought the other shore: But soon the hills began to frown, And the bright sun went darkly down. Though their step was light and fleet, The rainbow vanished ‘neath their feet, And down they went, the giddy things! But Hope put forth his ready wings, And clinging Love and Youth he bore In triumph to the other shore. But ne’er I ween should mortals deem On rainbow bridge to cross a stream, Unless bright, buoyant Hope is nigh, And, light with Love and Youth, they fly!

“Four Steichen Prints” by Carl Sandburg

The earth, the rock and the oil of the earth, the slippery frozen places of the earth, these are for homes of rainbow bubbles, curves of the circles of a bubble, curves of the arcs of the rainbow prisms—between sun and rock they lift to the sun their foam feather and go.

Throw your neck back, throw it back till the neck muscles shine at the sun, till the falling hair at the scalp is a black cry, till limbs and knee bones form an altar, and a girl’s torso over the fire-rock torso shouts hi yi, hi yee, hallelujah.

Goat girl caught in the brambles, deerfoot or fox-head, ankles and hair of feeders of the wind, let all the covering burn, let all stopping a naked plunger from plunging naked, let it all burn in this wind fire, let the fire have it in a fast crunch and a flash.

They threw you into a pot of thorns with a wreath in your hair and bunches of grapes over your head—your hard little buttocks in the thorn—then the black eyes, the white teeth, the nameless muscular flair of you, rippled and twisted in sliding rising scales of laughter; the earth never had a gladder friend; pigs, goats, deer, tawny tough-haired jaguars might understand you.

“Live Blindly and Upon the Hour” by Trumbull Stickney

Live blindly and upon the hour. The Lord, Who was the Future, died full long ago. Knowledge which is the Past is folly. Go, Poor, child, and be not to thyself abhorred. Around thine earth sun-winged winds do blow And planets roll; a meteor draws his sword; The rainbow breaks his seven-coloured chord And the long strips of river-silver flow: Awake! Give thyself to the lovely hours. Drinking their lips, catch thou the dream in flight About their fragile hairs’ aerial gold. Thou art divine, thou livest,—as of old Apollo springing naked to the light, And all his island shivered into flowers.

“Sonnet VII. To The Evening Rainbow” by Robert Southey

Mild arch of promise! on the evening sky Thou shinest fair with many a lovely ray Each in the other melting. Much mine eye Delights to linger on thee; for the day, Changeful and many-weather’d, seem’d to smile Flashing brief splendor thro’ its clouds awhile, That deepen’d dark anon and fell in rain: But pleasant is it now to pause, and view Thy various tints of frail and watery hue, And think the storm shall not return again. Such is the smile that Piety bestows On the good man’s pale cheek, when he in peace Departing gently from a world of woes, Anticipates the realm where sorrows cease.

“Iris of Life” by Zitkála-Šá

Like tiny drops of crystal rain, In every life the moments fall, To wear away with silent beat, The shell of selfishness o’er all.

And every act, not one too small, That leaps from out the heart’s pure glow, Like ray of gold sends forth a light, While moments into seasons flow.

Athwart the dome, Eternity, To Iris grown resplendent, fly Bright gleams from every noble deed, Till colors with each other vie.

’Tis glimpses of this grand rainbow, Where moments with good deeds unite, That gladden many weary hearts, Inspiring them to seek more Light.

“Sonnet” by Mary Thornton McAboy

The thistle-down soared up to meet the sun- The way-side nursling of the summer shower- A matchless purple tint its only dower, That blanched to whiteness ere the day was done. Though carelessly her web the spider spun To hide the splendors of the day-god’s power, Yet vainly still the veiled and fettered flower, The thistle-down, soared up to meet the sun. The wind’s wild playmate through the summer days Soared to the sun it worshiped from afar; The whiteness caught the glint of golden rays In triumph passed beyond a rainbow bar; The wondering world looked on with words of praise And lips inspired named the flower A STAR.

“To the Spring” by Frances Anne Butler

Hail to thee, spirit of hope! whom men call Spring; Youngest and fairest of the four, who guide Our mortal year along Time’s rapid tide. Spirit of life! the old decrepid earth Has heard thy voice, and at a wondrous birth, Forth springing from her dark, mysterious womb, A thousand germs of light and beauty come. Thy breath is on the waters, and they leap From their bright winter-woven fetters free; Along the shore their sparkling billows sweep, And greet thee with a gush of melody. The air is full of music, wild and sweet, Made by the joyous waving of the trees, Wherein a thousand winged minstrels meet, And by the work-song of the early bees, In the white blossoms fondly murmuring, And founts, that in the blessed sunshine sing; Hail to thee! maiden, with the bright blue eyes! And showery robe, all steeped in starry dew; Hail to thee! as thou ridest through the skies, Upon thy rainbow car of various hue.

“A Psyche of Spring” by George Marion McClellan

Thou gaily painted butterfly, exquisite thing, A child of light and blending rainbow hues, In loveliness a psyche of the spring, Companion for the rose and diamond dews. ‘Tis thine in sportive joy from hour to hour, To ride the breeze from flower to flower.

But thou wast once a worm, as now am I, And seeing thee, gay thing, afloat in bliss, I take new hope in thoughts of by and by, When I, as thou, have shed my chrysalis. Then through a gay eternal spring of light, Shall my immortal soul pursue its flight.

“The Rainbow” by Patrick Bronte

The shower is past, and the sky O’erhead is both mild and serene, Save where a few drops from on high, Like gems, twinkle over the green: And glowing fair, in the black north, The rainbow o’erarches the cloud; The sun in his glory comes forth, And larks sweetly warble aloud.

That dismally grim northern sky Says God in His vengeance once frowned, And opened His flood-gates on high, Till obstinate sinners were drowned: The lively bright south, and that bow, Say all this dread vengeance is o’er; These colours that smilingly glow Say we shall be deluged no more.

Ever blessed be those innocent days, Ever sweet their remembrance to me; When often, in silent amaze, Enraptured, I’d gaze upon thee! Whilst arching adown the black sky Thy colours glowed on the green hill, To catch thee as lightning I’d fly, But aye you eluded my skill.

From hill unto hill your gay scene You shifted-whilst crying aloud, I ran, till at length from the green, You shifted, at once to the cloud! So, vain worldly phantoms betray The youths who too eager pursue, When ruined and far led astray, Th’ illusion escapes from their view.

Those peaceable days knew no care, Except what arose from my play, My favourite lambkin and hare, And cabin I built o’er the way. No cares did I say? Ah! I’m wrong: Even childhood from cares is not free: Far distant I see a grim throng Shake horrible lances at me!

One day-I remember it still- For pranks I had played on the clown Who lived on the neighbouring hill, My cabin was trod to the ground. Who ever felt grief such as I When crashed by this terrible blow? Not Priam, the monarch of Troy, When all his proud towers lay low.

And grief upon grief was my lot: Soon after, my lambkin was slain; My hare, having strayed from its cot, Was chased by the hounds o’er the plain. What countless calamities teem From memory’s page on my view!- How trifling soever you seem, Yet once I have wept over you.

Then cease, foolish heart, to repine; No stage is exempted from care: If you would true happiness find, Come follow! and I’ll show you where. But, first, let us take for our guide The Word which Jehovah has penned; By this the true path is descried Which leads to a glorious end.

How narrow this path to our view! How steep an ascent lies before! Whilst, foolish fond heart, laid for you Are dazzling temptations all o’er. What bye-ways with easy descent Invite us through pleasures to stray! Whilst Satan, with hellish intent, Suggests that we ought to obey.

But trust not the father of lies, He tempts you with vanity’s dream; His pleasure, when touched, quickly dies, Like bubbles that dance on the stream. Look not on the wine when it glows All ruddy, in vessels of gold; At last it will sting your repose, And death at the bottom unfold.

But lo! an unnatural night Pours suddenly down on the eye; The sun has withdrawn all his light, And rolls a black globe o’er the sky! And hark! what a cry rent the air! Immortal the terrible sound!- The rocks split with honible tear, And fearfully shakes all the ground!

The dead from their slumbers awake, And, leaving their mouldy domain, Make poor guilty mortals to quake As pallid they glide o’er the plain! Sure, Nature’s own God is oppressed, And Nature in agony cries;- The sun in his mourning is dressed, To tell the sad news through the skies!

Yet surely some victory’s gained, Important, and novel, and great, Since Death has his captives unchained, And widely thrown open his gate! Yes, victory great as a God Could gain over hell, death, and sin, This moment’s achieved by the blood Of Jesus, our crucified King.

But all the dread conflict is o’er; Lo! cloud after cloud rolls away; And heaven, serene as before, Breaks forth in the splendour of day! And all the sweet landscape around, Emerged from the ocean of night, With groves, woods, and villages crowned, Astonish and fill with delight!

But see! where that crowd melts away, Three crosses sad spectacles show! Our Guide has not led us astray; Heart! this is the secret you’d know- Two thieves, and a crucified God Hangs awfully mangled between! Whilst fast from His veins spouting blood Runs, dyeing with purple the green!

Behold! the red flood rolls along, And forming a bason below, Is termed in Emanuel’s song The fount for uncleanness and woe. Immerged in that precious tide, The soul quickly loses its stains, Though deeper than crimson they’re dyed, And ‘scapes from its sorrows and pains.

This fountain is opened for you: Go, wash, without money or price; And instantly formed anew, You’ll lose all your woes in a trice. Then cease, foolish heart, to repine, No stage is exempted from care; If you would true happiness find, ‘Tis on Calvary-seek for it there.

“Trees Need Not Walk the Earth” by David Rosenthal

Trees need not walk the earth For beauty or for bread; Beauty will come to them Where they stand. Here among the children of the sap Is no pride of ancestry: A birch may wear no less the morning Than an oak. Here are no heirlooms Save those of loveliness, In which each tree Is kingly in its heritage of grace. Here is but beauty’s wisdom In which all trees are wise. Trees need not walk the earth For beauty or for bread; Beauty will come to them In the rainbow— The sunlight— And the lilac-haunted rain; And bread will come to them As beauty came: In the rainbow— In the sunlight— In the rain.

“Aurora Borealis” by Nellie Seelye Evans

There is a flower of climate rare, That never bloomed for me, I searched the wood, I searched the moor, I robbed the emerald sea.

Alone upon an icy coast, By Arctic’s hem it grows, Its beauty is intoxicant To those who brave the snows.

But when the Bear shines clear and high I dream of Polar night. Wherein this wondrous flower blooms In sheaves of rainbow light.

“Composed In The Glen Of Loch Etive” by William Wordsworth

“This Land of Rainbows spanning glens whose walls, Rock-built, are hung with rainbow-coloured mists — Of far-stretched Meres whose salt flood never rests — Of tuneful Caves and playful Waterfalls — Of Mountains varying momently their crests — Proud be this Land! whose poorest huts are halls Where Fancy entertains becoming guests; While native song the heroic Past recalls.” Thus, in the net of her own wishes caught, The Muse exclaimed; but Story now must hide Her trophies, Fancy crouch; the course of pride Has been diverted, other lessons taught, That make the Patriot-spirit bow her head Where the all-conquering Roman feared to tread.

“Flowers” by Mary Baker Eddy

Mirrors of morn Whence the dewdrop is born, Soft tints of the rainbow and skies– Sisters of song, What a shadowy throng Around you in memory rise!

Far do ye flee, From your green bowers free, Fair floral apostles of love, Sweetly to shed Fragrance fresh round the dead, And breath of the living above.

Flowers for the brave– Be he monarch or slave, Whose heart bore its grief and is still! Flowers for the kind– Aye, the Christians who wind Wreaths for the triumphs o’er ill!

“Look for the Rainbow” by May Taylor

It is rainy, yes, God makes it rain, We cannot always have sun; But, it will shine again, The sky is dark I know- But across it will come the rainbow.

We must not rebel at sorrow, In pain sweetest things to us come, Therefore in patience wait till to-morrow, A song is worth a world of sighs, Only look for the rainbow in the skies.

“The Rainbow Bridge” by Lizzie Doten

’Twas a faith that was held by the Northmen bold, In the ages long, long ago, That the river of death, so dark and cold, Was spanned by a radiant bow; A rainbow bridge to the blest abode Of the strong Gods—free from ill, Where the beautiful Urda fountain flowed, Near the ash tree Igdrasill. They held that when, in life’s weary march, They should come to that river wide, They would set their feet on the shining arch, And would pass to the other side. And they said that the Gods and the Heroes crossed That bridge from the world of light, To strengthen the Soul when its hope seemed lost, In the conflict for the right. O, beautiful faith of the grand old past! So simple, yet so sublime, A light from that rainbow bridge is cast Far down o’er the tide of time. We raise our eyes, and we see above, The souls in their homeward march; They wave their hands and they smile in love, From the height of the rainbow arch. We know they will drink from the fountain pure That springs by the Tree of Life, We know that their spirits will rest secure From the tempests of human strife; So we fold our hands, and we close our eyes, And we strive to forget our pain, Lest the weak and the selfish wish should rise, To ask for them back again. The swelling tide of our grief we stay, While our warm hearts fondly yearn, And we ask if over that shining way They shall nevermore return. O, we oft forget that our lonely hours Are known to the souls we love, And they strew the path of our life with flowers, From that rainbow arch above. We hear them call, and their voices sweet Float down from that bridge of light, Where the gold and crimson and azure meet, And mingle their glories bright. We hear them call, and the soul replies, From the depths of the life below, And we strive on the wings of faith to rise To the height of that radiant bow. Like the crystal ladder that Jacob saw, Is that beautiful vision given, The weary pilgrims of earth to draw To the life of their native heaven. For ’tis better that souls should upward tend, And strive for the victor’s crown, Than to ask the angels their help to lend, And come to man’s weakness down. That rainbow bridge in the crystal dome, O’er a swiftly flowing tide, Is the shining way to the spirit home, That lies on the other side. To man is the tempest cloud below, And the storm wind’s fatal breath, But for those who cross o’er that shining bow, There is no more pain nor death. O, fair and bright does that archway stand, Through the silent lapse of years, Fashioned and reared by no human hand, From the sunshine of love and tears. Sweet spirits, our footsteps are nearing fast The light of the shining shore; We shall cross that rainbow bridge at last, And greet you in joy once more.

“Hope” by Mary Baker Eddy

Tis borne on the zephyr at eventide’s hour; It falls on the heart like the dew on the flower,– An infinite essence from tropic to pole, The promise, the home, and the heaven of Soul.

Hope happifies life, at the altar or bower, And loosens the fetters of pride and of power; It comes through our tears, as the soft summer rain, To beautify, bless, and make joyful again.

The harp of the minstrel, the treasure of time; A rainbow of rapture, o’erarching, divine; The God-given mandate that speaks from above,– No place for earth’s idols, but hope thou, and love.

“To A Friend” by Ruby Clarke McIntire

As, after darkening winds and gusty showers Have marred the patient, unreproachful sky, God’s bow of promise breaks the clouds that lie Between his sunlight and the waiting flowers, So, absence ended, with its weight of hours Lagging and loitering ere they went to die, My rainbow messenger shines forth on high To banish every cloud that sullen lowers. For lone I walked through dim, gray days until You smiled upon my life, and lo, to live Was bliss, and joy to tread the earth you trod, Since in your smile the peace of waters still Lay mingled with their strength and power to give Sweet glimpses of the hidden love of God.

Rainbow Poems That Rhyme

“Summer’s Armies” by Emily Elizabeth Dickinson

Some rainbow coming from the fair! Some vision of the world Cashmere I confidently see! Or else a peacock’s purple train, Feather by feather, on the plain Fritters itself away!

The dreamy butterflies bestir, Lethargic pools resume the whir Of last year’s sundered tune. From some old fortress on the sun Baronial bees march, one by one, In murmuring platoon!

The robins stand as thick to-day As flakes of snow stood yesterday, On fence and roof and twig. The orchis binds her feather on For her old lover, Don the Sun, Revisiting the bog!

Without commander, countless, still, The regiment of wood and hill In bright detachment stand. Behold! Whose multitudes are these? The children of whose turbaned seas, Or what Circassian land?

“The Rainbow” by Henry Vaughan

Still young and fine! but what is still in view We slight as old and soil’d, though fresh and new. How bright wert thou, when Shems admiring eye Thy burnisht, flaming Arch did first descry! When Terah, Nahor, Haran, Abram, Lot , The youthful worlds gray fathers in one knot, Did with intentive looks watch every hour For thy new light, and trembled at each shower! When thou dost shine darkness looks white and fair, Storms turn to Musick, clouds to smiles and air: Rain gently spends his honey-drops, and pours Balm on the cleft earth, milk on grass and flowers. Bright pledge of peace and Sun-shine! the sure tye Of thy Lords hand, the object of his eye. When I behold thee, though my light be dim, Distant and low, I can in thine see him, Who looks upon thee from his glorious throne And mindes the Covenant ‘twixt All and One O foul, deceitful men! my God doth keep His promise still, but we break ours and sleep. After the Fall , the first sin was in Blood , And Drunkenness quickly did succeed the flood; But since Christ dyed, (as if we did devise To lose him too, as well as Paradise ,) These two grand sins we joyn and act together, Though blood & drunkeness make but foul, foul weather. Water (though both Heavens windows and the deep, Full forty days o’r the drown’d world did weep,) Could not reform us, and blood (in despight) Yea Gods own blood we tread upon and slight. So those bad daughters, which God sav’d from fire, While Sodom yet did smoke, lay with their sire.

Then peaceful, signal bow, but in a cloud Still lodged, where all thy unseen arrows shrowd, I will on thee, as on a Comet look, A Comet, the sad worlds ill-boding book; Thy light as luctual and stain’d with woes I’le judge, where penal flames sit mixt and close. For though some think, thou shin’st but to restrain Bold storms, and simply dost attend on rain, Yet I know well, and so our sins require, Thou dost but Court cold rain, till Rain turns Fire.

“On Broadway” by Claude McKay

About me young careless feet Linger along the garish street; Above, a hundred shouting signs Shed down their bright fantastic glow Upon the merry crowd and lines Of moving carriages below. Oh wonderful is Broadway — only My heart, my heart is lonely.

Desire naked, linked with Passion, Goes trutting by in brazen fashion; From playhouse, cabaret and inn The rainbow lights of Broadway blaze All gay without, all glad within; As in a dream I stand and gaze At Broadway, shining Broadway — only My heart, my heart is lonely.

“The Huskers” by John Greenleaf Whittier

It was late in mild October, and the long autumnal rain Had left the summer harvest-fields all green with grass again; The first sharp frosts had fallen, leaving all the woodlands gay With the hues of summer’s rainbow, or the meadow flowers of May. Through a thin, dry mist, that morning, the sun rose broad and red, At first a rayless disk of fire, he brightened as he sped; Yet, even his noontide glory fell chastened and subdued, On the cornfields and the orchards, and softly pictured wood. And all that quiet afternoon, slow sloping to the night, He wove with golden shuttle the haze with yellow light; Slanting through the painted beeches, he glorified the hill; And, beneath it, pond and meadow lay brighter, greener still. And shouting boys in woodland haunts caught glimpses of that sky, Flecked by the many-tinted leaves, and laughed, they knew not why; And school-girls, gay with aster-flowers, beside the meadow brooks, Mingled the glow of autumn with the sunshine of sweet looks. From spire and barn looked westerly the patient weathercocks; But even the birches on the hill stood motionless as rocks. No sound was in the woodlands, save the squirrel’s dropping shell, And the yellow leaves among the boughs, low rustling as they fell. The summer grains were harvested; the stubblefields lay dry, Where June winds rolled, in light and shade, the pale green waves of rye; But still, on gentle hill-slopes, in valleys fringed with wood, Ungathered, bleaching in the sun, the heavy corn crop stood. Bent low, by autumn’s wind and rain, through husks that, dry and sere, Unfolded from their ripened charge, shone out the yellow ear; Beneath, the turnip lay concealed, in many a verdant fold, And glistened in the slanting light the pumpkin’s sphere of gold. There wrought the busy harvesters; and many a creaking wain Bore slowly to the long barn-floor is load of husk and grain; Till broad and red, as when he rose, the sun sank down, at last, And like a merry guest’s farewell, the day in brightness passed. And lo! as through the western pines, on meadow, stream, and pond, Flamed the red radiance of a sky, set all afire beyond, Slowly o’er the eastern sea-bluffs a milder glory shone, And the sunset and the moonrise were mingled into one! As thus into the quiet night the twilight lapsed away, And deeper in the brightening moon the tranquil shadows lay; From many a brown old farm-house, and hamlet without name, Their milking and their home-tasks done, the merry huskers came. Swung o’er the heaped-up harvest, from pitchforks in the mow, Shone dimly down the lanterns on the pleasant scene below; The growing pile of husks behind, the golden ears before, And laughing eyes and busy hands and brown cheeks glimmering o’er. Half hidden, in a quiet nook, serene of look and heart, Talking their old times over, the old men sat apart; While up and down the unhusked pile, or nestling in its shade, At hide-and-seek, with laugh and shout, the happy children played. Urged by the good host’s daughter, a maiden young and fair, Lifting to light her sweet blue eyes and pride of soft brown hair, The master of the village school, sleek of hair and smooth of tongue, To the quaint tune of some old psalm, a husking-ballad sung.

“The Rainbow” by Charles Tennyson

Hung on the shower that fronts the golden west, The rainbow bursts like magic on mine eyes, In hues of elden promise there imprest, Frail in its date, eternal in its guise. The vision is so lovely that I feel My heart endued with beauty like its own, And taking an indissoluble seal From what is here a moment, and is gone. It lies so soft on the full-breasted storm, New born o’ the middle air, and dewy-pure, And tricked in nature’s choicest garniture; What can be seen of lovelier dye or form? While all the groves assume a ghastly stain, Caught from the leaden rack and shining rain.

“The King Cup” by John Harris

Came a shower o’er rush- lands moory; Came a rainbow stained with glory; Came a sun -flash shiring, -streaming; Came the moonbeams softly gleaming; Came dim eve, when flocks were folden, And at morn a KING CUP golden.

Old men saw it, smiled, and blest it; Children lovingly caressed it; Joyous maid and matron knew it; Schoolboys clapped their hands to view it; Mothers sang the ditty olden. Of the shining KING CUP golden.

Lovely sunsets sunsets follow: Then they glowed in every hollow, In the meadows, dells, and ditches, Under thorns and hazel switches, Where the nightly flocks were folden; Everywhere, —the KING CUPS golden.

Care went forth and wept for gladness: Sunshine is no time for sadness. More than books of song or story, Penned by bards and sages hoary In the mighty centuries olden, Learn we from the KING CUPS golden.

“XLII: Problems” by Emily Dickinson

Bring me the sunset in a cup, Reckon the morning’s flagons up And say how many Dew, Tell me how far the morning leaps Tell me what time the weaver sleeps Who spun the breadth of blue!

Write me how many notes there be In the new Robin’s ecstasy Among astonished boughs How many trips the Tortoise makes How many cups the Bee partakes, The Debauchee of Dews!

Also, who laid the Rainbow’s piers, Also, who leads the docile spheres By withes of supple blue? Whose fingers string the stalactite Who counts the wampum of the night To see that none is due?

Who built this little Alban House And shut the windows down so close My spirit cannot see? Who’ll let me out some gala day With implements to fly away, Passing Pomposity?

Poems About Rainbows and Death

“On This Long Storm The Rainbow Rose” by Emily Elizabeth Dickinson

On this long storm the rainbow rose, On this late morn the sun; The clouds, like listless elephants, Horizons straggled down. The birds rose smiling in their nests, The gales indeed were done; Alas! how heedless were the eyes On whom the summer shone! The quiet nonchalance of death No daybreak can bestir; The slow archangel’s syllables Must awaken her.

“The Rainbow” by H. P. Nichols

“What is the rainbow, mother dear, With many-colored light? Have the clouds parted just to show The floor of heaven so bright?

“Or is it wings of angels pure That touch along the sky? And do they come that we may see How fair is all on high?

“Or, mother, on that shining arch Do spirits rise above? And on that bended bow ascend Where all is light and love?

“How beautiful must be that road! Why should we call those back, Who travel to the better land On such a sunny track?

“Why did you weep when brother died? Did you not know that he On that delightful path must tread, Ere he in heaven could be?”

“My dearest child, we cannot know, Or trace the spirit’s flight, For sin and sorrow draw their veil Across our mortal sight.

“If–as the rainbow takes its hues Of beauty from the sun– We strive to live like Christ our Lord, The meek and holy One,–

“Then shall we dwell in Heaven’s clear day, Which knows nor night nor moon, For, ever, from the Father’s throne Beams high and cloudless noon.”

“Fancies” by Mrs. Minot Carter

If we could return from our last long rest And seek out the ones we loved the best, Though not in a form to cause them fear, Just gently to let them feel us near,

Would we come in the scent of the evening flowers Bringing to mind past happy hours? Would we come in the song of the mourning dove Recalling to them our endless love?

Would we come in the sound of the falling rain Telling them gladly “We shall meet again”? Would we come in the silently falling snow With memories of rosy cheeks long ago?

Would we come in the rainbow or sunset’s hue Repeating to them “Be true, be true”? Would we speak in some sad sweet song’s refrain Bidding them wait in gladness, not pain?

These are but fancies, faint and dim; For dare we question the wisdom of Him Who gave us through death the victory sweet To be with our loved ones in joy complete?

“Lines: When the Lamp is Shattered” by Percy Bysshe Shelley

When the lamp is shattered, The light in the dust lies dead; When the cloud is scattered, The rainbow’s glory is shed; When the lute is broken, Sweet tones are remembered not; When the lips have spoken, Loved accents are soon forgot.

As music and splendor Survive not the lamp and the lute, The heart’s echoes render No song when the spirit is mute:– No song but sad dirges, Like the wind through a ruined cell, Or the mournful surges That ring the dead seaman’s knell.

When hearts have once mingled, Love first leaves the well-built nest; The weak one is singled To endure what it once possessed. O Love! who bewailest The frailty of all things here, Why choose you the frailest For your cradle, your home, and your bier?

Its passions will rock thee, As the storms rock the ravens on high; Bright reason will mock thee, Like the sun from a wintry sky. From thy nest every rafter Will rot, and thine eagle home Leave thee naked to laughter, When leaves fall and cold winds come.

“Mildew” by Charlotte Dacre

Behold, within that cavern drear and dank, Whose walls in rainbow tints so dimly shine, A wretch, with swollen eyes and tresses lank, Does on a heap of mould’ring leaves recline.

Unwholsome dews for ever him surround, From his damp couch he scarcely ever hies, Save when blue vapours, issuing from the ground, Lure him abroad, to catch them as they rise.

Or else at eve the dripping rock he loves, Or the moist edge of new‐dug grave, full well; To get the sea spray too at night he roves, And, gem’d with trickling drops, then seeks his cell.

Such his delights, his green and purple cheek, His bloated form, his chill, discolour’d hand He would not change; and if he guests would seek, He steals among the church‐yard’s grisly hand.

“Amanda’s Inventory” by Julia Ward Howe

This is my hat: behold its upstart plume, Soaring like pride, that even in heaven asks room! This is my cloak of scarlet splendor rare, A saucy challenge to the sunset glare.

Behold my coach of state and pony chaise, A fairy pleasure for the summer days; The seeds that fly, like lightnings in a leash, With their rude Jove, subservient to my wish.

Here are my jewels: each a fortune holds; A starving artist planned the graceful moulds: Here hang my dresses in composed array, A rainbow with a hue for every day.

These are my lovers, registered in date, Who, with my dowry, seek myself to mate. The haughtiest wooer wins me for his bride: Who asks affection? Pride should wed with pride.

These are my friends, who hourly come or send, Pleased with my notice and a finger-end; Yonder’s my parson, proud to share my feast; My doctor’s there, a sycophantic beast.

This is my villa, where I take my ease With flowers well-ordered, and ambitious trees; And this—what sudden spectre stays my breath? Amanda, poor Amanda! this is death.

“The Night Displays the Stars” by Thomas Walsh

The storm displays the rainbow, The night displays the stars, And twilight’s gathering darkness The sunset’s golden bars.

The rain begems the meadow With shining rills of light, And fills the flowers’ dew-cups With honey clear and bright.

The winter fills the world With winds of wailing woe, But clothes the moon-lit valleys With glist’ning robes of snow.

‘Tis thus, when gloomy shadows O’erspread us and combine, The hidden virtues in us Like stars begin to shine.

And as the starry heavens Of night surpass the day, So noble souls in sorrow Their loftiness display.

But if, when sorrow-smitten, No virtues in us shine, Then we are full of darkness, And void of light divine.

“The Mystic Blue” by D. H. Lawrence

Out of the darkness, fretted sometimes in its sleeping, Jets of sparks in fountains of blue come leaping To sight, revealing a secret, numberless secrets keeping.

Sometimes the darkness trapped within a wheel Runs into speed like a dream, the blue of the steel Showing the rocking darkness now a-reel.

And out of the invisible, streams of bright blue drops Rain from the showery heavens, and bright blue crops Surge from the under-dark to their ladder-tops.

And all the manifold blue and joyous eyes, The rainbow arching over in the skies, New sparks of wonder opening in surprise.

All these pure things come foam and spray of the sea Of Darkness abundant, which shaken mysteriously, Breaks into dazzle of living, as dolphins that leap from the sea Of midnight shake it to fire, so the secret of death we see.

“The Rainbow” by Amelia Welby

I sometimes have thoughts, in my loneliest hours, That lie on my heart like the dew on the flowers, Of a ramble I took one bright afternoon, When my heart was as light as a blossom in June; The green earth was moist with the late fallen showers, The breeze fluttered down and blew open the flowers, While a single white cloud to its haven of rest, On the white wing of peace, floated off in the west.

As I threw back my tresses to catch the cool breeze, That scattered the raindrops and dimpled the seas, Far up the blue sky a fair rainbow unrolled Its soft tinted pinions of purple and gold. “‘T was born in a moment, yet, quick as its birth, It had stretched to the uttermost ends of the earth, And, fair as an angel, it floated as free, With a wing on the earth and a wing on the sea.

How calm was the ocean! how gentle its swell! Like a woman’s soft bosom it rose and it fell; While its light sparkling waves, stealing laughingly o’er, When they saw the fair rainbow, knelt down on the shore. No sweet hymn ascended, no murmur of prayer, Yet I felt that the spirit of worship was there, And bent my young head, in devotion and love, Neath the form of an angel that floated above.

How wide was the sweep of its beautiful wings! How boundless its circle! how radiant its rings! If I looked on the sky, it was suspended in air; If I looked on the ocean, the rainbow was there; Thus forming a girdle, as brilliant and whole As the thoughts of the rainbow that circled my sou Like the wing of the Deity, calmly unfurled, It bent from the cloud and encircled the world.

There are moments, I think, when the spirit receives Whole volumes of thought on its unwritten leaves, When the folds of the heart in a moment unclose Like the innermost leaves from the heart of a rose. And thus, when the rainbow had passed from the sky, The thoughts it awoke were too deep to pass by; It left my full soul, like the wing of a dove, All fluttering with pleasure and fluttering with love.

I know that each moment of rapture or pain But shortens the links in life’s mystical chain; I know that my form, like the bow from the wave, Must pass from the earth and lie cold in the grave; Yet O! when death’s shadows my bosom encloud, When I shrink at the thought of the coffin and shroud, May Hope, like the rainbow, my spirit enfold In her beautiful pinions of purple and gold.

Poems About Rainbows and Love

“On The Balcony” by D. H. Lawrence

In front of the sombre mountains, a faint, lost ribbon of rainbow; And between us and it, the thunder; And down below in the green wheat, the labourers Stand like dark stumps, still in the green wheat.

You are near to me, and your naked feet in their sandals, And through the scent of the balcony’s naked timber I distinguish the scent of your hair: so now the limber Lightning falls from heaven.

Adown the pale-green glacier river floats A dark boat through the gloom – and whither? The thunder roars. But still we have each other! The naked lightnings in the heavens dither And disappear – what have we but each other? The boat has gone.

“A Broken Rainbow On The Skies Of May” by Madison Julius Cawein

A Broken rainbow on the skies of May, Touching the dripping roses and low clouds, And in wet clouds its scattered glories lost: So in the sorrow of her soul the ghost Of one great love, of iridescent ray, Spanning the roses dim of memory, Against the tumult of life’s rushing crowds A broken rainbow on the skies of May. A flashing humming-bird among the flowers, Deep-coloured blooms; its slender tongue and bill Sucking the syrups and the calyxed myrrhs, Till, being full of sweets, away it whirrs: Such was his love that won her heart’s rich bowers To give to him their all, their honied showers, The bloom from which he drank his body’s fill A flashing humming-bird among the flowers. A moon, moth-white, that through long mists of fleece Moves amber-girt into a bulk of black, And, lost to vision, rims the black with froth: A love that swept its moon, like some great moth, Across the heaven of her soul’s young peace; And, smoothly passing, in the clouds did cease Of time, through which its burning light comes back A moon, moth-white, that moves through mists of fleece. A bolt of living thunder downward hurled, Momental blazing from the piled-up storm, That instants out the mountains and the ocean, The towering crag, then blots the sight’s commotion: Love, love that swiftly coming bared the world, The deeps of life, ’round which fate’s clouds are curled, And, ceasing, left all night and black alarm A bolt of living thunder downward hurled.

“The Golden Wedding of Sterling and Sarah Lanier, September 27, 1868” by Sidney Lanier

By the Eldest Grandson

A rainbow span of fifty years, Painted upon a cloud of tears, In blue for hopes and red for fears, Finds end in a golden hour to-day. Ah, YOU to our childhood the legend told, ‘At the end of the rainbow lies the gold,’ And now in our thrilling hearts we hold The gold that never will pass away.

Gold crushed from the quartz of a crystal life, Gold hammered with blows of human strife, Gold burnt in the love of man and wife, Till it is pure as the very flame: Gold that the miser will not have, Gold that is good beyond the grave, Gold that the patient and the brave Amass, neglecting praise and blame.

O golden hour that caps the time Since, heart to heart like rhyme to rhyme, You stood and listened to the chime Of inner bells by spirits rung, That tinkled many a secret sweet Concerning how two souls should meet, And whispered of Time’s flying feet With a most piquant silver tongue.

O golden day, — a golden crown For the kingly heads that bowed not down To win a smile or ‘scape a frown, Except the smile and frown of Heaven! Dear heads, still dark with raven hair; Dear hearts, still white in spite of care; Dear eyes, still black and bright and fair As any eyes to mortals given!

Old parents of a restless race, You miss full many a bonny face That would have smiled a filial grace Around your Golden Wedding wine. But God is good and God is great. His will be done, if soon or late. Your dead stand happy in yon Gate And call you blessed while they shine.

So, drop the tear and dry the eyes. Your rainbow glitters in the skies. Here’s golden wine: young, old, arise: With cups as full as our souls, we say: ‘Two Hearts, that wrought with smiles through tears This rainbow span of fifty years, Behold how true, true love appears True gold for your Golden Wedding day!’

Macon, Georgia, September, 1868

“Adele” by Ameen Rihani

Adele! a name that kindled in the breast Of France’s first-born of the fairest Muse A flame in which a thousand colors fuse And shame the April rainbows of the West; But I can only stand upon the crest Of Song’s most sacred Mount and bring excuse That I have begged, and since the gods refuse, I steal, and with the theft I thee invest,

A Sun or Moon of Song for all my oceans Of purest love, an ornament at best,— A bunch of stars—a wreath for my emotions; But if the gods with sisters dear are blest, To me they all must come in joy or sorrow, From me they all must steal, or beg, or borrow.

“The Rainbow” by Effie Waller Smith

Love is a rainbow that appears When heaven’s sunshine lights earth’s tears.

All varied colors of the light Within its beauteous arch unite:

There Passion’s glowing crimson hue Burns near Truth’s rich and deathless blue;

And Jealousy’s green lights unfold ‘Mid Pleasure’s tints of flame and gold.

O dark life’s stormy sky would seem, If love’s clear rainbow did not gleam!

“A Birthday” by Christina Rossetti

My heart is like a singing bird Whose nest is in a water’d shoot; My heart is like an apple-tree Whose boughs are bent with thick-set fruit; My heart is like a rainbow shell That paddles in a halcyon sea; My heart is gladder than all these, Because my love is come to me.

Raise me a daïs of silk and down; Hang it with vair and purple dyes; Carve it in doves and pomegranates, And peacocks with a hundred eyes; Work it in gold and silver grapes, In leaves and silver fleurs-de-lys; Because the birthday of my life Is come, my love is come to me.

“Sumach and Birds” by Carl Sandburg

If you never came with a pigeon rainbow purple Shining in the six o’clock September dusk: If the red sumach on the autumn roads Never danced on the flame of your eyelashes: If the red-haws never burst in a million Crimson fingertwists of your heartcrying: If all this beauty of yours never crushed me Then there are many flying acres of birds for me, Many drumming gray wings going home I shall see, Many crying voices riding the north wind.

“Loss” by Winifred M. Letts

In losing you I lost my sun and moon And all the stars that blessed my lonely night. I lost the hope of Spring, the joy of June, The Autumn’s peace, the Winter’s firelight. I lost the zest of living, the sweet sense Expectant of your step, your smile, your kiss; I lost all hope and fear and keen suspense For this cold calm, sans agony, sans bliss. I lost the rainbow’s gold, the silver key That gave me freedom of my town of dreams; I lost the path that leads to Faërie By beechen glades and heron-haunted streams. I lost the master word, dear love, the clue That threads the maze of life when I lost you.

“Lines on Nonsense” by Eliza Lee Follen

Yes, nonsense is a treasure! I love it from my heart; The only earthly pleasure That never will depart.

But, as for stupid reason, That stalking, ten-foot rule, She’s always out of season, A tedious, testy fool.

She’s like a walking steeple, With a clock for face and eyes, Still bawling to all people, Time bids us to be wise.

While nonsense on the spire A weathercock you’ll find, Than reason soaring higher, And changing with the wind.

The clock too oft deceives, Says what it cannot prove; While every one believes The vane that turns above.

Reason oft speaks unbidden, And chides us to our face; For which she should be chidden, And taught to know her place.

While nonsense smiles and chatters, And says such charming things, Like youthful hope she flatters; And like a syren sings.

Her charm’s from fancy borrowed, For she is fancy’s pet; Her name is on her forehead, In rainbow colors set.

Then, nonsense let us cherish, Far, far from reason’s light; Lest in her light she perish, And vanish from our sight.

“Envy of the Flower Buds” by William Lee Popham

The flowers grew together From the tiny seeds- And appeared in bud Just above the weeds. I rested in the garden And heard the buds relate- Their desire of color And wrote it on my slate.

The rainbow hugged the sky After an April shower; Each bud desired a hue When they became a flower. “Oh! rainbow,” said the violet, “I really envy you; For when I am to blossom- I pray to have your blue.”

“And I would happy be,” The rosebud said- “My dear Mr. Rainbow, To have your tint of red.” And the timid lily Expressed her delight- While looking at the rainbow And said: “Just give me white.”

And the morning glory Had to pause and think- To select its color And said: “Oh, give me pink.” And thus all the flowers Pleaded to the sky- And envied rainbow colors- With a longing sigh.

And later I was walking Amid that flower dell- And buds had grown to blossoms And had a fragrant smell. The flowers were contented In coats of red and blue- And all the other colors; For “rainbow dreams” came true.

“Love Returned” by Bayard Taylor

He was a boy when first we met; His eyes were mixed of dew and fire, And on his candid brow was set The sweetness of a chaste desire: But in his veins the pulses beat Of passion, waiting for its wing, As ardent veins of summer heat Throb through the innocence of spring.

As manhood came, his stature grew, And fiercer burned his restless eyes, Until I trembled, as he drew From wedded hearts their young disguise. Like wind-fed flame his ardor rose, And brought, like flame, a stormy rain: In tumult, sweeter than repose, He tossed the souls of joy and pain.

So many years of absence change! I knew him not when he returned: His step was slow, his brow was strange, His quiet eye no longer burned. When at my heart I heard his knock, No voice within his right confessed: I could not venture to unlock Its chambers to an alien guest.

Then, at the threshold, spent and worn With fruitless travel, down he lay: And I beheld the gleams of morn On his reviving beauty play. I knelt, and kissed his holy lips, I washed his feet with pious care; And from my life the long eclipse Drew off; and left his sunshine there.

He burns no more with youthful fire; He melts no more in foolish tears; Serene and sweet, his eyes inspire The steady faith of balanced years. His folded wings no longer thrill, But in some peaceful flight of prayer: He nestles in my heart so still, I scarcely feel his presence there.

O Love, that stern probation o’er, Thy calmer blessing is secure! Thy beauteous feet shall stray no more, Thy peace and patience shall endure! The lightest wind deflowers the rose, The rainbow with the sun departs, But thou art centred in repose, And rooted in my heart of hearts!

“The Rainbow” by Vine Colby

Whose doorway was it, in the sordid street, That gave us shelter from the sudden rain,— Two vagrant sparrows on a dripping branch, Waiting a moment to spread wing again? The beggar children danced through pavement pools Barefoot and joyous, splashing at their will; The rain washed green that dusty sycamore And straws swirled wildly down the gutter’s rill. Fast-breathing from the run, our hands still clasped, We leaned out laughing, shaking free our hair Of dewy drops, while still the clouds poured down A freshness that made heavenly the air. Then we both saw, above the sodden world, The Rainbow like a miracle appear, And you said, whispering, “Oh, kiss me once Before it fades!”—“Kiss me then quickly, Dear!” One warm sweet touch of lips—then forth we went Oblivious of all the rain and wet. To-day I saw a rainbow after rain…. My heart remembered then—does yours forget?

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Example Of Rainbows Essay

Type of paper: Essay

Topic: Politics , Water , Thinking , Reflection , Light , Density , Refraction , Formation

Published: 02/02/2020

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Rainbows are the one of the finest, most magnificent and incredible phenomenon that nature has to offer. The formation of rainbow as a phenomenon includes and consists of extensive and complex physics. It demonstrates some of the most intricate processes in Physics like dispersion of light and also proves that visible light is composed of a spectrum of wavelengths and each of these wavelengths is associated to a different color. Two physical phenomena that are at work within a rainbow are refraction and reflection. Both hold their significance when it comes to formation of rainbows. Refraction occurs each and every time when light passes across a boundary from one substance to another, such as from air to water (Field 2011). In case of Rainbows a collection of suspended water droplets in the atmosphere are responsible for refraction of light. Since the optical density of water differs from that of air, light ways refract when they cross over the boundary, in this case from air to water. Since water has higher optical density as compared to the air, the ray of light bends towards the normal when it crosses over and when the light exits the water droplet, it speeds up since it moves from a medium of higher optical density to a one of lower optical density and hence it moves away from the normal. The process of refraction when the light enters and exits water droplets causes deviation in the path of light. There are countless and numerous paths by which light rays from the sun pass through a drop, but the most significant and the one primarily responsible for the formation of Rainbows is the path in which the ray of light refracts into the droplet, internally reflects and then refracts out of the droplet. Upon refracting twice and reflecting once, the light day is dispersed and bent downwards towards an observer on earth’s surface (physicsclassroom 2013). As observed in the case of refraction of light through prism, the refraction of light at the boundaries of the suspended water droplets results in dispersion of light into spectrum of colors. The rainbow is often seen as a circle or semi circle and it results because of the huge collection of suspended water droplets, which are capable of concentrating the dispersed light (after double refractions and internal reflection) at angle of deviation of 40-42 degrees to the initial paths. Every droplet refracts and disperses the entire light spectrum (ROYGBIV). These types of rainbows, which are formed between 40 and 42 degrees of the antisolar point, are called Primary Rainbows. Secondary Rainbows are a formed around 10 degrees of the antisolar point unlike the primary rainbows, which are formed between 40 and 42 degrees. Secondary rainbows are wider when compared to primary rainbows but have very less intensity. The main feature that sets them apart from primary rainbows is the fact that they have colors reversed. They involve two reflections inside the water droplet. These two internal reflections cause the rays to be deviated by more than 180 degrees and the light finally emerges as the secondary bow. The deviation of over 180 degrees results in reversing of colors. Both the primary and secondary rainbows involve some of the finest concepts of physics. Reflection and refraction both play their parts in the formation of rainbows. The dispersion of the light into different colors based on the wavelengths produces different colors. The rainbow, a natural phenomenon that is a teat to eyes, has a very scientific formation and existence.

Field, Tom. ”The Physics: How a Rainbow forms” Photo centric. 21 April 2013. Web. 2011 Physicsclassroom. ”Rainbow formation” The Physics Classroom. 21 April 2013. Web. 2013

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Rainbow Facts for Kids and Teachers

Have you ever looked up into the sky and seen a beautiful arch of colors?  That beautiful arch of color is called a rainbow.  Do you want to learn how rainbows are formed, what they are made out of, or if you find how to find the end of one?

  There are so many interesting facts about rainbows. Find out more with these amazing rainbow facts for kids and teachers.

These rainbow facts are easy to read and are designed to describe a rainbow to a child. Perfect for preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school students.

What is a Rainbow?

A rainbow by definition is an arc of spectral colors that appears in the sky opposite the sun as a result of the refractive dispersion of sunlight in drops of rain.  So what does that mean?  A rainbow is an arc of colors that appears in the sky when it is raining in one part of the sky and sunny in another.

When does a Rainbow Form?

A rainbow forms when the sun shines through water droplets (raindrops) while it’s raining or was recently raining.  How does that happen? 

Sunlight comes from the sun.  The sun is located in space.  Sunlight has to travel through space and to earth; it does that in what scientists call wavelengths. 

Wavelengths are different colors.  As they are traveling, they blend together and form white light.  When the wavelengths pass through droplets of water (rain), they separate and appear as the colors of a rainbow.

Scientist Isaac Newton explained how a rainbow forms.  He said sunlight is made up of the colors of the rainbow.  When those colors are all mixed together it is called white light. White light is the light we see every day.

When sunlight travels through the air in the same direction, we see white light.  When the sunlight enters through a raindrop the colors separate, causing us to see a rainbow.

The colors of the rainbow are Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, and Violet.

What are the Colors of the Rainbow?

An easy way to remember the colors of the rainbow is ROY G. BIV.

How did the Rainbow get its Name?

It is believed that the rainbow got its name from its shape.  A rainbow’s arc looks similar to a bow for shooting arrows.  People also noticed that this colorful arc would only form when it was raining, so they called it a rainbow.

Fun Rainbow Facts for Kids and Teachers

Do you want to hear something cool?  Each raindrop makes its own rainbow! That’s right, every water droplet makes its own rainbow,  but it takes millions of raindrops for us to see a rainbow.

Rainbow Fact: rainbows are full circles; it’s true. We only see one arch of a rainbow because, on the ground, we can only see the light reflecting off raindrops that appear above the horizon. Sometimes people traveling in airplanes or other aircraft can see the entire full-circle rainbow.

A rainbow arch is a 42-degree angle starting from the direction opposite the sun.

Did you know that no two people see the same rainbow? Why? A person standing next to you is standing in a slightly different spot than you; therefore, see the rainbow in a slightly different place.  

The rainbow may look the same, but there a little different because the person next to you sees different raindrops.

When the sun is lower, the rainbow will be higher in the sky. When the sun is higher, the rainbow will be lower in the sky.

We only see a semi-circle rainbow on the ground, but from very high up such as on an airplane, you can see a rainbow in a complete circle.

Rainbows can occur in any season Winte r, Spring , Summer, or Fall . How have you ever noticed that you don’t see many rainbows in the winter in a cold climate?  This is because in the winter, raindrops freeze into snowflakes, so fewer raindrops fall.

You see more rainbows in tropical locations and by waterfalls.

Earth is the only planet in the solar system where rainbows are possible.

Types of Rainbows : Rainbow Facts for Kids

Did you know that there are different types of rainbows? Some of them are listed below.

Double Rainbow

Sometimes sunlight is reflected twice inside a raindrop.  When this occurs, we get a secondary rainbow or a double rainbow.

The colors of a secondary or double rainbow are in the opposite order of the primary or first rainbow.  So you will not see ROYGBIV.  You will see VIBGYOR or violet, Indigo, Blue, Green, Yellow, Orange, then Red.

During a double rainbow, you may notice a dark band between the two rainbows (shown in the picture above). This dark band is called Alexander’s Band. It is named after Alexander Aphrodisias over 2,000 years ago.

Moonbows/Lunar Rainbows

Moonbows or lunar rainbows occur when the moon’s light reflects through the raindrop.  This type of rainbow is rare because the moon’s light usually isn’t bright enough for a rainbow to form.

Sun Smiles 

Upside-down rainbows or circumzenithal arcs can sometimes occur.  These unique rainbows are also known as the sun smiles. They form when the sunlight reflects through ice crystals.

How do you get to the End of the Rainbow?

Have you ever heard that there is a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow? Some people believe that leprechauns leave a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Is the problem you can never get to the end of the rainbow? It is just not possible. A rainbow is an optical illusion.  Every time you move, the rainbow moves too. It never touches the ground.  You cannot touch a rainbow.

Ancient Civilizations and Rainbows

In ancient times many different civilizations had different beliefs about rainbows.

In Greek mythology, Iris was known as the goddess of the rainbow and a message for the gods.  She was believed to use a rainbow as a bridge between the heavens and earth.

The ancient people of Serbia believed that the rainbow was the Storm God’s bow and that he used it to shoot arrows of lightning through the sky.

 Fun Rainbow Experiment for Kids and Teachers

Do you want to try to make a rainbow at home? Try this fun rainbow experiment in the summertime.

Step 1:  Standing with your back to the sun. How do you know your back is to the sun?  Stand where you feel the sun’s heat on your back and look forward.  If your back is getting warm and you can look without squinting, your back is to the sun.

Step 2:  Take a water hose and spray it in front of you, keeping the sun behind you.  Watch what happens. A rainbow should form.

We hope that you enjoyed reading rainbow facts for kids and teachers.  Please check out the link below for fun rainbow-themed foods.  Some are easy enough to do right in the classroom.  Thank you for visiting.

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Exploring the Depths of The Rainbow: A Literary Analysis of D.H. Lawrence’s Masterpiece

• D.H. Lawrence

D.H. Lawrence’s novel “The Rainbow” has been regarded as a masterpiece of English literature since its publication in 1915. The novel explores the lives of three generations of the Brangwen family and their experiences in rural England. Through his vivid descriptions and complex characters, Lawrence delves into themes of love, sexuality, and the human relationship with nature. In this article, we will take a closer look at “The Rainbow” and analyze its literary techniques and themes.

The Life and Works of D.H. Lawrence

D.H. Lawrence was a prolific writer who explored the complexities of human relationships and the struggles of modern society. Born in 1885 in Nottinghamshire, England, Lawrence grew up in a working-class family and was educated at Nottingham High School and University College, Nottingham. He began writing at an early age and published his first novel, The White Peacock, in 1911.

Lawrence’s most famous work, The Rainbow, was published in 1915 and caused a scandal due to its frank depiction of sexuality and its exploration of taboo subjects such as incest and lesbianism. The book was banned in Britain for over a decade, but Lawrence continued to write and publish, producing works such as Women in Love, Sons and Lovers, and Lady Chatterley’s Lover.

Lawrence’s writing was deeply influenced by his own life experiences, including his relationships with women and his struggles with tuberculosis. He was also influenced by the natural world, and his writing often explores the relationship between humans and the environment.

Despite his controversial subject matter, Lawrence’s writing has endured and continues to be studied and appreciated today. His work has been adapted for film and television, and his influence can be seen in the works of many contemporary writers. Lawrence died in 1930 at the age of 44, but his legacy as a writer and thinker lives on.

The Symbolism of the Rainbow

The rainbow has been a symbol of hope and promise for centuries. It is a natural phenomenon that has captured the imagination of people all over the world. In literature, the rainbow has been used as a symbol of many things, including hope, promise, and beauty. In D.H. Lawrence’s masterpiece, “The Rainbow,” the rainbow is used as a symbol of the cycle of life and the interconnectedness of all things. Lawrence uses the rainbow to explore the depths of human experience and to show how everything is connected in the grand scheme of things. The rainbow is a powerful symbol that has the ability to evoke strong emotions and to inspire people to look beyond the surface of things and to see the beauty and complexity of the world around them.

The Characters of The Rainbow

The characters of The Rainbow are complex and multi-dimensional, each with their own unique struggles and desires. At the center of the novel is Ursula Brangwen, a young woman who is determined to find her own path in life despite the constraints of society. Ursula is a fiercely independent character who is not afraid to challenge the norms of her time, and her journey throughout the novel is one of self-discovery and growth.

Another important character in The Rainbow is Anton Skrebensky, Ursula’s first love. Anton is a soldier who is deeply conflicted about his role in the war and his feelings for Ursula. His character represents the struggle between duty and desire, and his relationship with Ursula is a poignant exploration of the complexities of love and loyalty.

Other notable characters in the novel include Ursula’s parents, Anna and Will Brangwen, who represent the traditional values of their time, and Winifred Inger, a wealthy woman who becomes involved with Ursula’s brother, Gudrun. Each of these characters adds depth and complexity to the novel, and their interactions with Ursula and each other provide a rich tapestry of human experience.

Overall, the characters of The Rainbow are a testament to D.H. Lawrence’s skill as a writer. Through their struggles and triumphs, Lawrence explores the complexities of human nature and the forces that shape our lives. Whether you are a fan of classic literature or simply looking for a compelling read, The Rainbow is a novel that is sure to captivate and inspire.

The Themes of The Rainbow

The Rainbow, written by D.H. Lawrence, is a novel that explores various themes that are relevant even today. One of the most prominent themes of the novel is the struggle between tradition and modernity. The characters in the novel are torn between their desire to break free from the shackles of tradition and their fear of the unknown. Another important theme of the novel is the exploration of sexuality. Lawrence’s portrayal of the sexual desires of his characters was considered scandalous at the time of the novel’s publication. However, the novel’s frank depiction of sexuality is now seen as a groundbreaking work that paved the way for future writers. The Rainbow also explores the theme of nature and its relationship with humanity. Lawrence’s love for nature is evident in the novel, and he uses it as a metaphor for the characters’ emotional states. The novel also delves into the theme of gender roles and the expectations placed on men and women in society. Overall, The Rainbow is a complex and thought-provoking novel that explores a range of themes that are still relevant today.

The Use of Language in The Rainbow

D.H. Lawrence’s use of language in The Rainbow is a key element in the novel’s success. Lawrence’s writing style is characterized by its poetic quality, vivid imagery, and use of dialect. The author’s use of dialect is particularly noteworthy, as it adds a layer of authenticity to the characters and their experiences. Lawrence’s characters speak in a variety of dialects, including Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, and Yorkshire, which helps to establish their regional identities and backgrounds. Additionally, Lawrence’s use of language is often sensual and erotic, reflecting the novel’s themes of sexuality and desire. The author’s descriptions of nature are also notable, as they are often used to symbolize the characters’ emotional states. Overall, Lawrence’s use of language in The Rainbow is a masterful example of how language can be used to create a rich and immersive literary experience.

The Setting of The Rainbow

The setting of D.H. Lawrence’s The Rainbow is a crucial element in the novel’s exploration of human relationships and the natural world. The story takes place in the English Midlands, a region known for its industrialization and urbanization during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Lawrence’s depiction of this landscape is both vivid and poetic, capturing the beauty and brutality of the changing environment. The novel’s opening scene, for example, describes the “great colliery” that dominates the horizon, with its “black, industrial bulk” looming over the surrounding countryside. This image sets the tone for the rest of the novel, which explores the tension between nature and civilization, tradition and progress, and individual desire and social norms. As the story unfolds, Lawrence takes us on a journey through the changing seasons, from the lush greenery of spring to the barrenness of winter, and shows us how these natural cycles mirror the characters’ emotional and psychological states. The setting of The Rainbow is not just a backdrop for the action, but an integral part of the story’s meaning and themes.

The Plot of The Rainbow

The plot of The Rainbow follows the lives of three generations of the Brangwen family, beginning with Tom Brangwen, a farmer in rural England. The story then shifts to his daughter, Ursula, who struggles to find her place in the world as a young woman. Ursula’s journey takes her through various relationships, including a tumultuous affair with a schoolteacher named Winifred Inger. The novel also explores the themes of sexuality, gender roles, and the changing social landscape of England during the early 20th century. As the story progresses, the focus shifts to Ursula’s sister, Gudrun, and her own struggles with love and identity. The plot of The Rainbow is complex and multi-layered, delving deep into the human psyche and the complexities of relationships.

The Narrative Structure of The Rainbow

The narrative structure of The Rainbow is complex and multi-layered, reflecting the novel’s themes of continuity and change, tradition and modernity, and the cyclical nature of life. Lawrence employs a non-linear, episodic structure that moves back and forth in time, spanning several generations of the Brangwen family. The novel is divided into three parts, each focusing on a different member of the family: Tom Brangwen, his daughter Ursula, and her son, Winifred.

The first part of the novel, “The Rainbow,” introduces us to Tom Brangwen, a farmer in rural England at the turn of the 20th century. Through Tom’s experiences, Lawrence explores the tensions between tradition and modernity, as well as the changing social and economic landscape of England. The second part, “The Marsh,” follows Ursula Brangwen as she comes of age and struggles to find her place in the world. Ursula’s journey is marked by her search for love and fulfillment, as well as her growing awareness of the limitations placed on women in society.

The final part of the novel, “The Cathedral,” focuses on Winifred, Ursula’s son, and his experiences during World War I. Through Winifred’s story, Lawrence explores the devastating impact of war on individuals and society, as well as the possibility of renewal and regeneration.

Throughout the novel, Lawrence employs a lyrical, poetic style that emphasizes the beauty and sensuality of the natural world, as well as the emotional and psychological depths of his characters. The narrative structure of The Rainbow reflects Lawrence’s belief in the interconnectedness of all things, and his vision of life as a continuous cycle of birth, growth, decay, and renewal.

The Historical Context of The Rainbow

The Rainbow, written by D.H. Lawrence, was published in 1915 and caused quite a stir due to its controversial subject matter. The novel explores the lives of three generations of the Brangwen family in rural England, focusing on their relationships and sexual experiences. At the time of its publication, the novel was considered scandalous and was even banned in some countries. However, it is now recognized as a masterpiece of modernist literature and a groundbreaking work for its frank portrayal of sexuality and its exploration of the human psyche. The historical context of The Rainbow is important to understanding its significance and impact on literature. Lawrence wrote the novel during a time of great social and cultural change, as the world was on the brink of World War I and traditional values were being challenged. The novel reflects this upheaval and explores themes of individualism, sexuality, and the search for meaning in a rapidly changing world. Lawrence’s use of language and imagery is also significant, as he experimented with new forms of expression and challenged traditional literary conventions. Overall, The Rainbow is a complex and thought-provoking work that continues to captivate readers and scholars alike.

The Reception of The Rainbow

The reception of D.H. Lawrence’s The Rainbow was controversial and tumultuous. Upon its publication in 1915, the novel was met with widespread condemnation for its frank portrayal of sexuality and its exploration of taboo topics such as incest and lesbianism. The book was banned in Britain and the United States, and Lawrence was prosecuted for obscenity. Despite the controversy, The Rainbow was also praised for its lyrical prose and its vivid depiction of rural life in England. Today, the novel is considered a masterpiece of modernist literature and a groundbreaking work in the history of queer literature. Its themes of sexual liberation and individualism continue to resonate with readers and scholars alike.

The Legacy of The Rainbow

The legacy of D.H. Lawrence’s The Rainbow is one that has endured for over a century. The novel, which was initially banned in England for its explicit content, has since become a classic of modernist literature. Its exploration of themes such as sexuality, gender roles, and the relationship between humans and nature continues to resonate with readers today. The Rainbow has also influenced countless writers and artists, including Virginia Woolf and Frida Kahlo. Lawrence’s masterpiece has left an indelible mark on the literary world and will continue to be studied and celebrated for generations to come.

The Influence of The Rainbow on Literature

The rainbow has been a symbol of hope, promise, and beauty for centuries. It has inspired poets, writers, and artists to create works that capture its essence. In literature, the rainbow has been used as a metaphor for a range of emotions and experiences, from joy and happiness to sadness and loss. One of the most famous literary works that explores the symbolism of the rainbow is D.H. Lawrence’s masterpiece, “The Rainbow.” Published in 1915, the novel tells the story of three generations of the Brangwen family and their struggles to find meaning and fulfillment in their lives. Through the use of vivid imagery and powerful symbolism, Lawrence creates a world that is both beautiful and tragic, where the rainbow serves as a reminder of the fleeting nature of happiness and the inevitability of change. As we delve deeper into the novel, we will explore the many ways in which Lawrence uses the rainbow to convey his themes and ideas, and how this iconic symbol has influenced literature throughout the ages.

The Use of Nature Imagery in The Rainbow

D.H. Lawrence’s The Rainbow is a masterpiece that explores the complexities of human relationships and the natural world. Throughout the novel, Lawrence uses vivid nature imagery to convey the characters’ emotions and the themes of the story. The use of nature imagery is particularly significant in the novel as it reflects Lawrence’s belief in the interconnectedness of all things in the universe. The natural world is not just a backdrop to the story but an integral part of it. The imagery of the rainbow, for instance, is used to symbolize the beauty and complexity of life. The rainbow is a natural phenomenon that is both fleeting and enduring, just like the characters’ experiences in the novel. Lawrence’s use of nature imagery in The Rainbow is a testament to his mastery of language and his ability to convey complex ideas through simple yet powerful images.

The Role of Gender in The Rainbow

The role of gender in The Rainbow is a central theme that runs throughout the novel. Lawrence explores the traditional gender roles of the time and challenges them through the characters of Ursula and Gudrun. Ursula, the protagonist, is a strong-willed and independent woman who defies societal expectations by pursuing her education and career aspirations. Gudrun, on the other hand, is portrayed as a more traditional woman who conforms to gender norms but struggles with her own desires and identity. Lawrence’s portrayal of these two women highlights the complexities of gender roles and the limitations they impose on individuals. Additionally, the novel also explores the dynamics of power and control within relationships, particularly between men and women. Lawrence’s exploration of gender in The Rainbow is a significant aspect of the novel and adds depth to the characters and their experiences.

The Exploration of Sexuality in The Rainbow

D.H. Lawrence’s The Rainbow is a novel that explores the complexities of human sexuality in a way that was groundbreaking for its time. The novel follows the lives of three generations of the Brangwen family, and their experiences with love, marriage, and sexuality. Lawrence’s exploration of sexuality in The Rainbow is both frank and nuanced, and it challenges many of the prevailing attitudes towards sex and gender that were prevalent in early 20th century England.

One of the most striking aspects of Lawrence’s portrayal of sexuality in The Rainbow is his willingness to depict the physical and emotional aspects of sexual desire in a way that was considered taboo at the time. The novel contains several explicit scenes of sexual activity, including a detailed description of a sexual encounter between the protagonist, Ursula, and her lover, Skrebensky. These scenes are not included for shock value, but rather to explore the complex emotions and desires that drive human sexuality.

In addition to its frank depiction of sexual activity, The Rainbow also challenges traditional gender roles and expectations. Lawrence’s female characters are strong-willed and independent, and they often reject the societal norms that dictate their behavior. Ursula, for example, refuses to marry Skrebensky when he proposes, instead choosing to pursue her own ambitions and desires. This rejection of traditional gender roles is a central theme of the novel, and it reflects Lawrence’s own progressive views on gender and sexuality.

Overall, The Rainbow is a novel that explores the depths of human sexuality in a way that was ahead of its time. Lawrence’s frank and nuanced portrayal of sexual desire challenges traditional attitudes towards sex and gender, and it remains a powerful and thought-provoking work of literature to this day.

The Exploration of Spirituality in The Rainbow

D.H. Lawrence’s The Rainbow is a novel that delves deep into the exploration of spirituality. The protagonist, Ursula Brangwen, is on a journey to find meaning and purpose in her life, and this quest leads her to explore various spiritual beliefs and practices. Throughout the novel, Lawrence presents a range of spiritual ideas, from Christianity to paganism, and Ursula’s experiences with these different beliefs shape her understanding of the world and her place in it. The exploration of spirituality in The Rainbow is a central theme that adds depth and complexity to the novel, and it is a topic that continues to resonate with readers today.

The Use of Symbolism in The Rainbow

D.H. Lawrence’s The Rainbow is a masterpiece that is rich in symbolism. The novel is a complex exploration of human relationships, sexuality, and the natural world. Lawrence uses symbolism to convey his ideas and themes, and to create a deeper understanding of the characters and their experiences. One of the most prominent symbols in the novel is the rainbow itself. The rainbow is a symbol of hope, beauty, and the promise of a better future. It is also a symbol of the natural world and the power of nature to heal and renew. Lawrence uses the rainbow to connect the characters to the natural world and to suggest that they are part of something larger than themselves. Another important symbol in the novel is the snake. The snake is a symbol of sexuality and temptation, and it represents the darker aspects of human nature. Lawrence uses the snake to explore the characters’ desires and fears, and to suggest that they are struggling to find a balance between their animal instincts and their higher selves. Overall, the use of symbolism in The Rainbow is a testament to Lawrence’s skill as a writer and his ability to create a rich and complex world that is both beautiful and haunting.

The Importance of The Rainbow in Lawrence’s Canon

The rainbow is a recurring symbol in D.H. Lawrence’s literary works, and it holds significant importance in his canon. In his masterpiece, The Rainbow, the rainbow serves as a metaphor for the cycle of life and the interconnectedness of all things. Lawrence uses the rainbow to represent the natural world and its beauty, as well as the human experience and its complexities. The rainbow also symbolizes hope and renewal, as it appears after a storm and brings with it a sense of calm and peace. Overall, the rainbow is a powerful symbol that adds depth and meaning to Lawrence’s writing, and it continues to captivate readers to this day.

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Descriptive Essay: South Africa – The Rainbow Nation

South Africa – the land of sunshine, seagulls, the Big 5, Table Mountain, award winning wine and an abundance of friendly people. The poster child for diversity, South Africa has risen above hard core challenges and some seriously darker times, breaking through a glorious, effervescent and tenacious version of its former self.

It was aptly coined the ‘’Rainbow Nation’’ by national icon, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, describing the ‘’New South Africa’’, post-apartheid, after the very first democratic elections way back when in 1994. Culturally and ethnically diverse as they come, a Rainbow Nation gave South Africans the long awaited chance to embrace their differences and sever the barriers between the people, united as one.

With an unprecedented 11 official languages, the country is a delightful mix of skin tones, religious beliefs, ethnicity and mother tongues, all working and living side by side. But change is not always as easy as it seems, and the transition that South Africa has experienced during the last 2 decades has certainly not been the easiest.

But as a new generation emerges – post-apartheid babies all grown up – having experienced a vastly different start to life than their elder counterparts, South Africa is starting to see other changes that are as exciting and dynamic as the people themselves.

There will always be the painful reminders of the horrific era of apartheid – but the new and emerging generation uses the past as a reminder to constantly move forward, constantly work together and to continuously strive to rebuild their Rainbow Nation and to make it their own.

In any one day in South Africa you could experience the glory of the rolling vineyards of wine country, watch a traditional gumboot dancing show, have your face painted by African women, sample some of the finest local bunny chow cuisine (half a loaf of fresh white bread scooped out and filled with piping hot Indian Curry), have your hands and feet painted with henna by Indian women, eat melktert (milk tart) with the tannies (aunties), attend a cattle show with the boere (farmers) and finish off the day with a real South African tradition – a lekker ( awesome) braai (BBQ).

Every single South African regardless of race, culture, religious beliefs, age, social status, financial status or location is brought together by the braai. On a nice sunny day, in the pouring rain, in the wind, hail or snow – any day or night of the week you will be able to find a bunch of South Africans huddled over a braai, ice cold beer in hand, enjoying time with their friends and family.

These days South African children are brought up with lessons on how to braai, make melktert and love their neighbours – a true sign that the past has been put behind them for good.

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Essays Colours in a Rainbow , Rainbow , Rainbow essay , Short essay about Rainbow 0

Last Updated on October 23, 2023

• Rainbow is a natural phenomenon that happens after Rain
• Rainbow consists of seven colors
• The colors together form a thick band which makes it beautiful
• The seven colors of rainbow are: violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange and red.
• The Rainbow is a lovable scenery that is colorful and pleasant to eyes

Rainbow : (Short Essay)

Everyone of us would have seen Rainbows. A rainbow is a wonderful natural scenery that is pleasant to eyes. We can see rainbow in the sun after a rainy day. The seven colors of the rainbow give a beautiful look to the Rainbow and they are: violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange and red. Generally a rainbow can be seen in semicircle but most of the times what is visible to the human eyes is half semicircle. Another interesting fact is that, if we see from a Flying Airplane we can see the full shape of a rainbow, that is circular shape.

Rainbow : (Brief Essay)

Rainbow is a circular and wide band of seven colors that appears in the sky after every rain. Like the Sun, the Moon and the Stars, rainbows are another wonderful painting of the mighty sky. After any worse rain or mild rain one can see a rainbow in the sky is a belief. The seven colors of a rainbow are:

• Violet (electric violet)
• Indigo (electric indigo)
• Blue (web color)
• Yellow (web color)
• Orange (color wheel orange)
• Red (web color)

After a rain, we can see a beautiful band of rainbow that is seen in the form a semicircle. But if we see from a flying airplane, we can realize that a rainbow is circular. The concept behind the appearance of a rainbow is “Refraction of Light”. A rainbow can be artificially by putting drops of water into the air even in a clear sky and a sunny day.  We can also see rainbow near waterfalls.

Rainbows means peace and harmony in many ancient cultures. A rainbow is always depicted as a colorful and pleasant scenery everywhere. We can see people using rainbows use as a symbol of happiness in many paintings. Rainbow is a basic colour painting that many kids are taught to draw. With the 7 seven colors (popular called as VIBGYOR) kids can easily learn all other colors too since they are the major colors of nature.

Anyone would love a rainbow. Watching a rainbow after a heavy rain is the most beautiful scenery anyone would admire and love to see. Kids love to see a rainbow since it is a colorful scenery. Rainbows give a happy feeling to anyone’s mind. Simply, a rainbow gives peace of mind and a meaning to hope to people of all ages.

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10 Lines on Rainbow

When rainfall occurs for a shorter period of time, then after rainfall we have seen a band of seven colours which just starts from one end and gets completed at another end, it is called a rainbow. The bright colours of rainbow look very beautiful and it is like an essence in the surrounding. After looking at the rainbow, life becomes full of colours and positivity. Whole environment looks very fresh and beautiful. Rainbow adds colours to the green nature and enhances it natural beauty.

Ten Lines on Rainbow in English

We have provided a set of ten lines on rainbow in English. After reading these lines you will know about what is a rainbow, what are the colours in a rainbow, how rainbow is formed, what is the location of rainbow, what is a double rainbow, where sun lies when rainbow is formed, where rainbow is formed in the sky etc.

You can add these lines in your essays and paragraphs writing in your exams as well as in the school competition. You will also be able to learn more about rainbow and it will also make you ready for quizzes.

1) A rainbow is an arc of colour which appears in the sky when sun shines after the rainfall.

2) Rainbow forms a semicircle starting from one end of the earth to another end.

3) Rainbow contains a pattern of seven colours viz Violet, Indigo, Blue, Green, Yellow, Orange, Red.

4) A rainbow is formed when a white light passes through the droplets of water and split into seven colours.

5) A rainbow is actually round like a circle, but on the ground the bottom part is hidden.

6) There are two main components by which a rainbow is formed i.e. light and drops of water.

7) Sometimes double rainbow is also formed, with the reversed pattern of colours in which red will come first and violet will come last.

8) A rainbow is not located at a particular place from the person, a rainbow appears as a magical effect caused by water droplets.

9) Rainbow is formed opposite to the sun i.e. when sun lies in east then rainbow is formed in west and vice versa.

10) A rainbow is formed when rainfall occurs in one part of the sky and another part remains sunny.

10 Lines and Sentences on Rainbow

1) Rainbow comes from the Latin word ‘Arcus Pluvius’ which means ‘Rainy Arc’.

2) There is a belief among people that if a rainbow appears after rainfall, then it gives the indication that there will be no more rains.

3) Looking at the rainbow is very soothing to our eyes and children get very excited seeing a rainbow in the sky.

4) In ancient times rainbow was considered as a symbol of peace and harmony in the society.

5) In Greek civilization, rainbow was considered as a bridge between the heaven and the earth.

6) The world’s long-lasting rainbow was seen in Sheffield, England on March 14, 1994 which lasted for 6 hours.

7) The state of Hawaii in America is the only place on earth, where rainbows occur most.

8) Red colour rainbows formed after rainfall during sunrise or sunset is called as ‘Monochrome Rainbow’.

9) The semicircle formed by rainbow makes a 42-degree angle which starts from the direction opposite to the sun.

10) When the sun is lower, then the rainbow formed in the sky will be higher.

5 Lines on Rainbow

1) Rainbow is a colorful arc.

2) It appears in the sky.

3) It consists of seven colors.

4) Children love watching rainbow.

5) They can be seen in the rainy season.

20 Lines on Rainbow

1) A rainbow is a colourful arc formed in the sky during rains.

2) Both rain and sun are mandatory for a rainbow to take shape.

3) A rainbow is formed when light from the sun falls on the water droplets, resulting in a colourful spectrum.

4) A rainbow is caused by three phenomenon of light – reflection, refraction and dispersion.

5) Rainbows are caused by sunlight and are always formed directly opposite to the sun.

6) A rainbow is not a physical object and thus cannot be approached.

7) A rainbow could be seen only from a specific angle (42°) from the direction of the source of light.

8) Starting from the bottom, a rainbow constitutes seven colors – violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange and red i.e. (VIBGYOR).

9) Rainbows are not necessarily caused by rains but can also be caused by any spray of water due to mist, fog or dew.

10) A rainbow is also commonly formed near waterfalls and fountains.

11) Rainbow is a colored arc formed in the sky while it’s raining in one part and the other part is sunny.

12) Sometimes from an airplane, it is possible to see a full circular rainbow.

13) Occurrence of a rainbow depends on sunlight, suitable atmospheric conditions as well as position of the viewer.

14) A rainbow is formed due to sunlight falling on floating water droplets just after the rain.

15) Sometimes two rainbows appear one over the other but with reverse order of colors.

16) In order to see a rainbow, the observer must have his/her back to the sun; also s/he must be facing the rain.

17) A rainbow can also be caused by the light from the moon, which is called a “Moonbow”.

18) Moonbows are much fainter in appearance than the rainbows and are often perceived to be white.

19) Since thousands of years rainbows have fascinated humans who are overwhelmed by their beauty.

20) Rainbows are most likely to appear during sunrise or sunset.

Rainbow looks very colourful and it occurs when white light passes through water droplets in the sky and gets scattered in seven colours. Rainbow occurs in the sky after the rainfall, generally if it occurs for a very small duration. Rainbow is a scenic beauty which glorifies the nature by giving freshness, brightness and colour to the nature and environment.

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AP English Literature and Composition

Put words under a magnifier, “the rainbow” excerpt analysis.

Objective: Students will analyze how D. H. Lawrence,  in his 1915 novel, The Rainbow, which focuses on the lives of the Brangwens, a farming family who lived in rural England during the late nineteenth century, employs literary devices to characterize the woman and capture her situation.

Aim: How does Lawrence employs literary devices to characterize the woman and capture her situation?

• An excerpt from The Rainbow by D.H. Lawrence
• Lesson Tool
• About the author
• Women in 19th Century England
• Women in 19th Century

CC Standards

Key ideas and details:.

Do Now: Does the title suggest anything about the larger work from which this excerpt is a part? What information does the year of publication, 1915, suggest? What might the novel be about? Does knowing the author help you develop an opinion about the work?

Share our responses.

Acquisition : Understanding the Task

Here is the AP Prose Analysis Prompt

The following passage is from D. H. Lawrence’s 1915 novel, The Rainbow, which focuses on the lives of the Brangwens, a farming family who lived in rural England during the late nineteenth century. Read the passage carefully. Then write an essay in which you analyze how Lawrence employs literary devices to characterize the woman and capture her situation.

Now consider the task included in the prompt:

• What does the task ask you to do?
• It also suggests that your analysis will discuss literary devices. What are some literary devices you might examine?
• How many should you try to identify?

Points to remember: • It is not enough simply to recognize these devices within the passage and to “announce” them in the essay. • Your identification of two or three devices will reveal your understanding of the craft of writing fiction, but your analysis of their connection to the overall characterization will earn you a higher score on your essay. • Analysis requires that you recognize, announce, and, most importantly, explain how these devices connect to the abstract part of the writing assignment, which in this instance is the character and situation of the woman in the passage.

(Model)Read and annotate the passage-

Now we will read the passage in chunks. Remember to look for evidence that reveals the woman’s character and her situation.

• “Character” is the combination of features and qualities that make up the personality, reputation, and morals of a person.
• “Characterization” is determined by what a character says and does and what others (including the author or narrator) say about him/her.

Section 1 Text:

Step 1″ Read closely the passage:

It was enough for the men, that the earth heaved and opened its furrow to them, that the wind blew to dry the wet wheat, and set the young ears of corn wheeling freshly round about; it was enough that they helped the cow in labour, or ferreted the rats from under the barn, or broke the back of a rabbit with a sharp knock of the hand. So much warmth and generating and pain and death did they know in their blood, earth and sky and beast and green plants, so much exchange and interchange they had with these, that they lived full and surcharged, their senses full fed, their faces always turned to the heat of the blood, staring into the sun, dazed with looking towards the source of generation, unable to turn around.

Step 2: Points to consider-

The first paragraph of the passage does not even mention the woman, but it very pointedly says, “It was enough for the men . . .” What does this statement suggest about the woman? (Watch for evidence of how she feels about this environment.) The paragraph describes the environment in which the woman lives. How would you describe that environment?

Step 3: Inference—Evidence— Commentary

Inference (assertion) The men thrive in a very hostile environment.

Evidence “It was enough for the men, that the earth heaved and opened its furrow to them, that the wind blew to dry the wet wheat, and set the young ears of corn wheeling freshly round about it; . . . that they helped the cow in labour, or ferreted he rats from under the barn, or broke the back of a rabbit with a sharp knock of the hand.” “. . .they lived full and surcharged, their senses full fed . . .”

Commentary (analysis)  The men seem to thrive in this environment though they work hard to grow wheat and corn, to help a cow give birth, to rid the farm of pests such as rats and rabbits. Rather than being overwhelmed by the hard work, their lives are “full and surcharged, their senses full fed.”

Meaning Making ( Student Independent Work)

A. With Assertion

Section 2 Text-

“But the woman wanted another form of life than this, something that was not bloodintimacy. Her house faced out from the farm-buildings and fields, looked out to the road and the village with church and Hall and the world beyond. She stood to see the far-off world of cities and governments and the active scope of man, the magic land to her, where secrets were made known and desires fulfilled. She faced outwards to where men moved dominant and creative, having turned their back on the pulsing heat of creation, and with this behind them, were set out to discover what was beyond, to enlarge their own scope and range and freedom; whereas the Brangwen men faced inwards to the teeming life of creation, which poured unresolved into their veins.”

Points to consider-

• What contrast is established in the first sentence of this paragraph?
• What is suggested by the repetition of the word “out”?
• What kind of world does the woman imagine exists beyond the farm-buildings and the village?

Inference (assertion) The woman wants more from life than is available to her in this environment.

B. Make an assertion about the passage-

Section 3 Text-

Looking out, as she must, from the front of her house towards the activity of man in the world at large, whilst her husband looked out to the back at sky and harvest and beast and land, she strained her eyes to see what man had done in fighting outwards to knowledge, she strained to hear how he uttered himself in his conquest, her deepest desire hung on the battle that she heard, far off, being waged on the edge of the unknown. She also wanted to know, and to be of the fighting host.

• What contrast is established by the description of the woman “looking out . . . from the front of her house” while her husband “looked out to the back at sky and harvest and beast and land”?
• What is meant by the phrase “the world at large”?
• How is this world different from the world in which the woman lives?

Inference (assertion)

C. Section 4 Text

At home, even so near as Cossethay, was the vicar, who spoke the other, magic language, and had the other, finer bearing, both of which she could perceive, but could never attain to. The vicar moved in worlds beyond where her own menfolk existed. Did she not know her own menfolk: fresh, slow, full-built men, masterful enough, but easy, native to the earth, lacking outwardness and range of motion. Whereas the vicar, dark and dry and small beside her husband, had yet a quickness and a range of being that made Brangwen, in his large geniality, seem dull and local. She knew her husband. But in the vicar’s nature was that which passed beyond her knowledge. As Brangwen had power over the cattle so the vicar had power over her husband. What was it in the vicar, that raised him above the common men as man is raised above the beast? She craved to know. She craved to achieve this higher being, if not in herself, then in her children. That which makes a man strong even if he be little and frail in body, just as any man is little and frail beside a bull, and yet stronger than the bull, what was it? It was not money nor power nor position. What power had the vicar over Tom Brangwen—none. Yet strip them and set them on a desert island and the vicar was the master. His soul was master of the other man’s. And why—why? She decided it was a question of knowledge.

Points to Consider

• How is the vicar different from the woman’s husband and the other Brangwen men?
• How is the vicar’s world, “beyond where her own menfolk existed,” related to “the world at large”?
• What does the woman “crave to achieve”?

Day 2 Lesson

Objectives: Students will compose an analysis essay and conduct self-evaluation by using the AP 9-Point rubric.

Aim: What insights does the model essay provide for you? What else can you do to improve your prose essay by comparing your won writing to the model essay?

Do Now : Evaluating Your Essay Review the essay you wrote on The Rainbow for the mock exam. Identify your strongest analytical paragraph. With a partner, discuss something you could now do to revise this paragraph.

Acquisition (Mini Lesson)- Composing an effective thesis statement

An effective thesis statement states the assertions and writer’s opinion, which are then supported in the essay. The thesis statement answers the prompt and provides an outline to the essay.

Complete the following thesis statement:

In The Rainbow, D. H. Lawrence, __________________

Reviewing a High Scoring Essay

With pen in hand, annotate the student essay below. Mark phrases and sentences that are particularly effective in analyzing how Lawrence characterizes the woman and captures her situation . Discuss your findings with a partner or with your class. After reviewing the essay and the scoring guide which follows it, assign a score of 1 – 9 to this essay. Be ready to explain your score.

Think about how this essay compares to the essay you wrote for the mock exam. What are some things you can do to improve the writing you do to analyze a prose passage?

( Intro ) In the hours of sun, heat, and dust, the Brangwen family illustrates the typical rural family: a dominant husband, a subservient wife, and many unknowing children. Yet beneath this façade lies a greater battle over power, knowledge, and dominance. D. H. Lawrence’s The Rainbow passage captures the caged situation of a rural woman who yearns for more than she possesses  through contrasting rural earth and alien urban imagery, a yearning tone, and an evolving form .

(Body Para. #1) Through images of farming and urban life, Lawrence presents the tension of the Brangwen woman’s situation( Topic Sentence ). The passage begins in the fields of Brangwen male dominance( context ) . Outside, the men rule the “pain and death” in “their blood, earth and sky”. The domain of the farm is enough for them( analysis). The “staring at the sun” makes them “unable to turn around” to any other source of knowledge( example 1 ) . In contrast , the “cities and governments” are presented as a “magic land”. They depict a land of the “pulsing heat of creation”, facing “outwards” and to the future( example 2 ). These contrasting images  illustrates the indecision and tension of the Brangwen woman, who, caught in the house, is in the middle of the two and yet, part of neither( interpretation ) . Although she may long for the “knowledge” of the men of the city, she is an onlooker to both processes( analysis). The woman is depicted as “looking out, as she must” to everything she desires in the distance( example 3 ). Both the “vicar” and the men of the earth are separated from her( analysis ) . The contrasting images of urban and rural life demonstrate the division between the Brangwen woman and the world at large( so what ).

(Body Para#2) Lawrence’s use of a yearning tone demonstrates the woman’s inquisitive nature and caged situation . The introduction of the woman in the second paragraph comes with the use of words like “cities”, “governments”, and “creation”, demonstrating the woman’s desire for knowledge. She sits within her house, dreaming of cities of “creation” and “freedom”, whereas she has none. Furthermore, her capitivity is further shown in the tone of the phrase “as she must”. The word “must” implies a sort of bondage for the woman, as though she is only allowed to look but not touch. Finally, the tone within the final paragraph demonstrate the woman’s superior knowledge. The paragraph itself is full of question of “what?” and “why?”, illustrating the woman’s questions. She yearns for answers, unlike her husband, who is happy with so-called “blood intimacy”. Words like “crave” showing the woman’s longing and her curious character, always wanting to wanting to know why. The narrator’s tone of desire and longing illustrate the Brangwen woman’s curiosity within her confined life.

(Body Para#3) Finally, the evolving form starkly contrasts the Brangwen men and women.  The passage begins with the men of the farm and their “blood intimacy”. The first paragraph holds no thoughts, only aesthic images and basic human responses. This simplicity reflects the nature of the farm men: unquestioning and basic, not exceeding confines of knowledge or curiosity. Yet, once the woman’s viewpoint begins, that dramatically changes. The sentences are long and dynamic, with many questions and answers within them. The woman pokes and prods at the confines society has put before her, straining “her eyes to see what man had done in fighting outwards to knowledge”. Furthermore, the woman’s questions demonstrate her admiration and want of knowledge. The final paragraph is full of questions, much like the woman, questions of her status, of the world outside, and of the nature of life. The changing form reflects the shift of Brangwen men to Brangwen women.

(Conclusion) A yearning tone, shifting form, and contrasting urban and rural imagery illustrate the Brangwen woman’s curious nature and unfortunate separation from the knowledge she seeks. The Brangwen woman and her situation demonstrate the significance of the journey for knowledge.

Use the rubric to identify the strengths of the essay.

2013 AP® English Literature Scoring Guide Question #2: Lawrence, The Rainbow

General Directions: This scoring guide will be useful for most of the essays that you read, but in problematic cases, please consult your table leader. The score that you assign should reflect your judgment of the quality of the essay as a whole—its content, style, and mechanics: Reward the writers for what they do well. The score for an exceptionally well-written essay may be raised by one point above the otherwise appropriate score. In no case may a poorly written essay be scored higher than a three (3) .

9-8 These essays offer a persuasive analysis of how Lawrence employs literary devices to characterize the woman and capture her situation. The writers make a strong case for their interpretation. They may consider a variety of literary devices, and they engage the text through apt and specific references. Although these essays may not be error-free, their perceptive analysis is apparent in writing that is clear and effectively organized. Essays scored a nine (9) reveal more sophisticated analysis and more effective control of language than do essays scored an eight (8).

7-6 These essays offer a reasonable analysis of how Lawrence employs literary devices to characterize the woman and capture her situation. The writers provide a sustained, competent reading of the passage, with attention to a variety of literary devices. Although these essays may not be error-free and are less perceptive or less convincing than 9-8 essays, the writers present their ideas with clarity and control and refer to the text for support. Essays scored a seven (7) present better developed analysis and more consistent command of the elements of effective composition than do essays scored a six (6).

5 These essays respond to the assigned task with a plausible reading of the passage, but tend to be superficial or thin in their discussion of how Lawrence employs literary devices to characterize the woman and capture her situation. While containing some analysis of the passage, implicit or explicit, the discussion of how literary devices contribute to characterizing the woman and capturing her situation may be slight, and support from the passage may tend toward summary or paraphrase. While these writers demonstrate adequate control of language, their essays may be marred by surface errors. These essays are not as well conceived, organized, or developed as 7-6 essays.

4-3 These lower-half essays fail to offer an adequate analysis of the passage. The analysis may be partial, unconvincing, or irrelevant; the writers may ignore how Lawrence employs literary devices or how the woman and her situation are characterized and captured. These essays may be characterized by an unfocused or repetitive presentation of ideas, an absence of textual support, or an accumulation of errors. Essays scored a three (3) may contain significant misreading and/or demonstrate inept writing.

2-1 These essays compound the weaknesses of the papers in the 4-3 range. They may persistently misread the passage or be unacceptably brief. They may contain pervasive errors that interfere with understanding. Although some attempt has been made to respond to the prompt, the writer’s ideas are presented with little clarity, organization, or support from the passage. Essays scored a one (1) contain little coherent discussion of the passage.

0 These essays give a response that is completely off topic or inadequate; there may be some mark or a drawing or a brief reference to the task.

— These essays are entirely blank.

Homework: Complete the packet and revise your essay. Due  Oct 29.

Rainbow’s End

Table of contents, evidence bank, essay 1: how does rainbow’s end explore ideas about the “other”, essay 2: “a real home is where there are people looking out for each other.” how does rainbow’s end reveal the importance of home, essay 3: “the dream sequences in rainbow’s end are the characters’ only escape from the depressing reality of life.” discuss..

• Essay 4: ‘Errol’s attempt to be “a knight in shining armour” highlights the complexity of being a man in a patriarchal society.’ Discuss.
• Essay 5: “Rainbow’s End tells a tragic tale about the loss of culture and identity.” Do you agree?
• Essay 6: “Gladys and Dolly are torn between the world of white Australians and their Indigenous Australian heritage.” Discuss.
• Essay 7: “It is through storytelling that our ideas about the individual and collective human experience are challenged.” Discuss.
• Essay 8: “Rainbow’s End is a bitter condemnation of colonisation.” Discuss.
• Essay 9: “The play suggests that characters have little control over their lives.” Discuss.
• Essay 10: “Why do we have to prove we can live like whitefellas, before we get the same opportunities?” How does Rainbow’s End explore injustice?

Rainbow ’ s End , a play by Jane Harrison, welcomes its audience into a household comprising three Indigenous women as they struggle to realise their dreams in the 1950s backdrop of Australian racial segregation. Harrison constructs a poignant bildungsroman around one of the women, Dolly, as she struggles to retain agency over herself and her dreams; her dreams are further analogised to the overarching theme of the struggle for Indigenous sovereignty. “Othering” is predominantly used in a racial context, utilised by the socially dominant group in order to mark the characteristics and customs of minority groups as separate from accepted social norms, thus effectively segregating them. Harrison clearly portrays these three women, Dolly, Gladys, and Nan Dear, as the “other”, in which both their Indigenous and feminine status deem them inferior to that of the patriarchal structure of white colonies. Harrison imbues this message through the racial and social status discrimination faced by the three women, as well as other members of society reducing them to stereotypes, effectively disempowering them and deeming them inferior. Rainbow ’ s End thus explores how prejudice is faced by these women at the hands of a predominantly white and male society. However, Harrison also offers some optimism to the reader through signifying the importance of family ties and determination in challenging these biases.

Themes of racial discrimination hang like a heavy cloud over the play from the beginning to the end, cementing this form of “othering” as a central theme throughout. The process of “othering” involves deeming the lifestyles and practices of minority groups as different from the social norm, thus considering them to be inferior. Harrison highlights various examples of racial discrimination faced by the three women. When Dolly applies to work at the bank, the Bank Manager argues that Dolly may not “fit in” at the bank, supposedly because of her skin colour. He continues on to question her “reliability” and capability to be suited to the work, implying his belief that Indigenous Australians were not able to carry out the same tasks and effectiveness as white people. By assuming that Dolly was incompetent because of her skin colour, the Bank Manager effectively “others” her before even giving her a chance. In a similar way, the government inspector’s connection that white sheets should be meant for white people is another form of othering Nan and Gladys, emphasising his negative prejudice towards them simply because of their darker-toned skin. This negative prejudice does not merely segregate them within society and serve as a barrier for entry, but additionally limits their future prospects. Harrison uses the example of Leon and his anger-filled lashing out against his perception of his otherness. He chooses to express his anger towards the limitations of his life with alcoholism and sexual violence, but this only effectively exacerbates his otherness in society, creating an endless cycle of discrimination that Harrison aims to impose onto readers. As such, Harrison explores the idea of the “other” through racial discrimination faced by the Indigenous characters in the play.

Apart from racial discrimination, Harrison also leans into the process of “othering” through the differences in social status and gender status of characters. First, Dolly faced humiliation at the hands of Nancy Woolthorpe, who announced that Dolly’s gown was made from the Woolthorpe’ discarded curtains, effectively othering Dolly and exacerbating the negative prejudice of her Indigenous background and lower social status. Harrison highlights how bullying and exclusion are two techniques used by dominant social groups to segregate the “other”, which is what Nancy leans into within this example. In a similar vein, Errol also implies the otherness of Dolly’s family and their lifestyle when he urges her to move with him to an apartment in the city, which supposedly has a “real stove” and a “new-fangled Kelvinator”. Whether consciously or subconsciously, Errol looks down on Dolly and her social status, and despite wanting to help her due to his infatuation, he cannot shake the prejudices within him.

Lastly, Harrison explores how gender stereotypes are used to disempower the “other” and reduce them to stereotypes. Errol parrots his father’s notion of his mother having “funny ideas” about getting a job, reinforcing the patriarchal notion of the domestic role of women and their lack of power in such a society. This suppression thus leads to his mother and women in similar positions to become trapped by patriarchal ideologies in unfulfilling domestic lives. Furthermore, Errol continues to endorse male gender stereotypes by becoming a “knight in shining armour” for Dolly, attempting to rescue her from poverty and creating a “better life” in the city. However, by doing so, he stereotypes her as a damsel in distress, effectively categorising her and her family as the inferior other, who are helpless to escape their own situation. Similarly, the Rent Collector is shown to look at Dolly’s “heavily pregnant” body in “disdain”, betraying his sexist assumptions that a woman should be responsible for a man’s aggressive or offensive sexual behaviour. Thus, Harrison highlights the patriarchal values within such a society that were used to discriminate and create the notion of the “other”, which deems women inferior and unable to escape their fate.

Throughout Rainbow ’s End , Harrison creates a bleak atmosphere exploring the process of othering through racial discrimination, as well as that of social status and gender. However, she also manifests to the reader some optimism for the future through signifying the importance of family ties and determination in challenging these biases. For example, Gladys embraces her otherness and fights for her dispossessed people by publicly confronting race and class discrimination. Harrison’s choice to end the play with the happy ending between Dolly and Errol is also indicative of her belief that reconciliation may be achieved, and that the process of othering may eventually subside.

“Home is where the heart is.” Jane Harrison’s play, Rainbow ’ s End , is a stirring and poignant exploration of the significance of home. Set against the background of 1950s Australia, where racial segregation of whites and Indigenous Australians runs rampant, Harrison closely focuses on the familial relationships between three Indigenous women and how they navigate the cruel oppression of colonial sovereignty. As a physical location, home is manifested in the contrast between the dilapidated yet comforting home of the Dears family and the modern but superficial houses belonging to the Woolthorpes. Harrison additionally explores the Indigenous understanding of home through community relationships and kinship groups. The idea of a home is tested through the harsh criticisms wrought about by the ill treatment of Indigenous individuals by the white government. Finally, Harrison ends with a sense of optimism and manifests to the reader that home can simply be where you are happy, imbuing within them the searching question about what constitutes a true home.

Home is initially illustrated through the rundown yet comfortable humpy that the Dear family lives in. Despite a devastating flood, Nan, Gladys and Dolly are shown to clean and repair their home, with Dolly finding linoleum for the floor and Gladys retrieving a “crappy old bookcase” for their new encyclopedias. Their determination to maintain a homely environment is characteristic of their domestic pride, reflecting the importance they place in their physical manifestation of a home. When the government inspector visits, he remarks on the whiteness of their sheets and compliments Nan’s masterful crocheting of her “pillow shams”. Nan and Gladys are also shown to be resourceful and efficient as they chop wood, make clothing, and use native plants for meals; as a result, their home is made as warm and homely as possible. Harrison contrasts this idea of a physical home to the houses inhabited by the Woolthorpes. These houses are superficial in comparison, filled with “new-fangled” consumer goods and a “big fake Christmas tree”, implying the superficial nature of their household and family values. Furthermore, Errol’s father’s insistence on being referred to as “sir” implies emotional distance within their familial relationship, indicating that there is little to no air of homeliness in their cold houses. Harrison is subtle in her criticism of the seeming importance placed on such types of houses, but this is revealed through the contrast of positive and negative connotations applied to them respectively. Thus, Harrison illustrates how it is not about the physical manifestation of a house, it is the warmth inside that is important in making a house into a home.

Despite Harrison’s glowing descriptions of the Dears’ home, it also reveals the unsuitability of homes provided to First Nations communities in Australia. Home may also refer to areas deemed “suitable” for “Aboriginal housing”, which include the flood plains or the tip. While the Dear family transforms their humpy into a comfortable home, it still manifests as a symbol of the appalling state of Indigenous housing and exposes the complete lack of concern for Indigenous communities by the white governments. Even genuine attempts at helping, such as the new developments at Rumbalara, are unsuitable and unacceptable. The government forces Indigenous Australian families to move into “small, white, featureless” concrete houses, which Gladys coins “concrete humpies”. Through the white, boring slabs of concrete walls, Harrison subtly creates the metaphorical representation of uncaring and inflexible white council members who utterly failed in providing appropriate housing for Indigenous communities. This notion is hammered home with the 1954 royal tour, in which a descendant of a British monarch is enthusiastically welcomed into a colonial land in which Indigenous Australians were forcefully dispossessed. In order to spare the Queen some embarrassment, the dilapidated dwellings provided to Indigenous peoples are hidden from view. Hence, Harrison explores how the notion of home can be weaponised and used as a tool of oppression from white governments unto Indigenous groups.

However, in the face of hardships and neglect, the Dear family continues to find strength in their loving family relationships, which Harrison manifests as one of the most important attributes of a home. The beautifully handmade ballgown the Nan makes for Dolly is a symbol of her love for her granddaughter, and her reassurance towards Dolly about her traumatic sexual assault helps to support her in learning to love her child. These strong values of trust and mutual support cement the foundations of a “real home”; their commitment to keeping a place at their dinner table for Papa Dear, who had not returned for three months, additionally highlights their dedication to home and family. Moreover, despite some elements of tension between Nan and Gladys over Dolly, they demonstrate mutual love and support. Nan is exceedingly proud of Gladys’ challenge to the government councillors, exclaiming, “My Gladys! Did you hear her?” while almost “hugging the radio”. The relationship between Gladys and Dolly is slightly more tense, but Dolly never once doubts her mother’s love for her. While the Dear family relationships strengthen through their various tests and hardships, Harrison once again draws a stark contrast with that of Errol’s family, in which there is little room for warmth under a conservative patriarch. The Dears’ idea of family is not only restricted to their nuclear family unit but extends to their community, thus demonstrating the Indigenous understanding of home and family as encompassing the whole community. As a result, Harrison creates a fairytale ending in which the importance of home is exhibited through the safety net of close familial relationships and extended into the community, imploring readers to find the same comfort in their social networks.

Rainbow ’ s End is thus a striking and poignant play about families and homes being a central aspect to the lives of characters, demonstrated best through the Dear family, while using the Woolthorpe family as a foil. Harrison is careful in her optimism regarding the future situations regarding government support and initiative towards Indigenous housing, but she is staunch in upholding the willpower and determination of the Dear family in creating a homely environment regardless of their circumstances, thus serving as a metaphor for the strength of the Indigenous community. Finally, Harrison highlights how the physical manifestation of a home is not as important as how its inhabitants live in it, allowing readers to reflect on their own lives and household relationships and create change as they move on.