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| About the Poet |
| Pablo Neruda (1904 –1973) was a Chilean poet-diplomat and politician who won the 1971 Nobel Prize in Literature. Neruda became known as a poet when he was 13 years old, and wrote in a variety of styles, including surrealist poems, historical epics, political manifestos, a prose autobiography, and passionate love poems. Pablo Neruda is one of the most influential and widely read 20th-century poets of the Americas. |
| About the Poem |
| The poem Keeping Quiet is basically an anti-war poem. The poet is deeply concerned about violence, cruelty and plight of manual workers. The poet offers a very simple solution to many of our social, political and religious problems. The solution is self-introspection. Neruda speaks of a world of wisdom in a calm fashion and with much serenity. |
| Poem |
| Now we will count to twelve and we will all keep still. . For once on the face of the Earth let’s not speak in any language, let’s stop for one second, and not move our arms so much. . It would be an exotic moment without rush, without engines, we would all be together in a sudden strangeness. . Fishermen in the cold sea would not harm whales and the man gathering salt would look at his hurt hands. . Those who prepare green wars, wars with gas, wars with fire, victory with no survivors, would put on clean clothes and walk about with their brothers in the shade, doing nothing. . What I want should not be confused with total inactivity. Life is what it is about; I want no truck with death. If we were not so single-minded about keeping our lives moving, and for once could perhaps a huge silence might interrupt this sadness of never understanding ourselves and of threatening ourselves with death. . Perhaps the Earth can teach us as when everything seems dead and later proves to be alive. . Now I’ll count up to twelve and you keep quiet and I will go. |
Questions-Answers:
1. Why does the poet ask everyone to count to twelve?
Ans: The poet uses “twelve” to symbolize a complete cycle, like the 12 hours of a clock or the 12 months of a year. He wants people to pause for a brief moment, remain silent, and reflect on their actions.
2. What does the poet mean by “keeping quiet”?
Ans: ‘Keeping quiet’ does not mean complete inactivity but rather a state of calmness and self-reflection. The poet suggests that if people stop their usual activities for a moment, they can understand themselves and others better.
3. How will silence benefit human beings?
Ans: Silence will help people step back from violence, conflicts, and destruction. It will allow them to appreciate life, develop compassion, and work towards a more peaceful world.
4. How does the poet connect his message with nature?
Ans: The poet compares human life to nature’s cycle, saying that just like winter seems lifeless but brings new life in spring, silence and stillness can lead to renewal and change.
5. Why does the poet ask people not to speak in any language?
Ans: Language often creates barriers between people, leading to misunderstandings, conflicts, and divisions. The poet believes that in silence, people can understand each other without words.
6. What example does Neruda give to show how silence can bring peace?
Ans: He imagines a world where fishermen stop harming whales and salt-gatherers stop hurting their hands. This highlights how human activities often cause pain, and a brief pause can help reduce suffering.
7. What will happen if wars and industrial activities stop for a while?
Ans: If people pause their wars, destructive industries, and mechanical lifestyles, there will be no death, no destruction, and no suffering, leading to a more harmonious world.
8. Why does the poet say, “I want no truck with death”?
Ans: The poet clarifies that he does not support complete inactivity (which could mean death). He only wants people to pause briefly, not stop living.
9. How does the poet differentiate between silence and total inactivity?
Ans: Silence is a moment of peace and self-awareness, while total inactivity means death. The poet encourages stillness for reflection, not for lifelessness.
10. How is the Earth a great teacher in the poem?
Ans: The poet says that nature teaches us renewal. In winter, things seem lifeless, but in spring, they come alive again. Similarly, a brief silence can lead to a fresh start in human life.
11. Why does the poet mention wars in the poem?
Ans: Wars symbolize violence, destruction, and human greed. The poet urges people to stop war-like activities and embrace peace instead.
12. What is the significance of the phrase “without rush, without engines”?
Ans: It refers to the fast-paced, mechanical life of humans. The poet suggests that people should slow down and experience peace and harmony instead of always being in a hurry.
13. What does the poet expect from the moment of silence?
Ans: He hopes that if people stop their routine activities for a moment, they will realize their mistakes, appreciate life, and develop kindness towards others.
14. What contrast does the poet make between man and nature?
Ans: While nature follows a natural cycle of rest and renewal, humans are always rushing, fighting, and destroying. The poet urges people to learn from nature and embrace moments of calmness.
15. How does the poet suggest that we can bring unity among people?
Ans: By keeping silent and reflecting together, people will realize they are all connected, reducing hatred, greed, and violence.
16. What does the poet mean by “life is what it is about”?
Ans: He means that life is meant for growth and living, not for destruction. Silence should be used for self-improvement, not for stopping all activities.
17. Why does Neruda believe silence can change the world?
Ans: Silence creates awareness. It helps people understand the importance of peace, brotherhood, and environmental protection.
18. What does the poet want the readers to do after reading the poem?
Ans: He wants them to take small moments of silence in their lives, reflect on their actions, and work towards peace and understanding.
19. How does Keeping Quiet reflect Neruda’s philosophy of life?
Ans: Neruda believed in humanity, peace, and self-awareness. The poem encourages people to pause, reflect, and live in harmony with nature and each other.
20. Identify and explain the poetic device in “Now we will count to twelve and we will all keep still.”
Ans: Symbolism & Repetition
- “Twelve” symbolizes a complete cycle (months, clock hours).
- The repetition of “we will” emphasizes collective participation in silence.
21. What is the poetic device in “Fishermen in the cold sea would not harm whales”?
Ans: Imagery & Symbolism
- Imagery: Creates a mental picture of a peaceful sea.
- Symbolism: Represents human cruelty towards nature and the possibility of kindness.
22. Identify the poetic device in “Those who prepare green wars.”
Ans: Oxymoron
- “Green wars” is a contradiction, as war destroys nature, but green represents life.
23. What poetic device is used in “wars with gas, wars with fire”?
Ans: Repetition
- The word “wars” is repeated to emphasize destruction and violence.
24. What poetic device is used in “perhaps a huge silence might interrupt this sadness”?
Ans: Personification
- Silence is given human-like power to “interrupt” sadness, suggesting it can heal.
25. How does the poet use contrast in the poem?
Ans: He contrasts stillness (peace) with movement (war, destruction) to highlight the importance of silence.
26. What is the effect of free verse in the poem?
Ans: The poem follows free verse, meaning it has no rhyme scheme, creating a natural and conversational tone.
27. How does Neruda use metaphor in “the Earth can teach us”?
Ans: The Earth is a metaphor for wisdom, teaching us that silence leads to renewal.
28. Identify and explain the poetic device in “without rush, without engines.”
Ans: Anaphora
- The phrase “without” is repeated to stress the need for slowing down in life.
29. What is the significance of the title ‘Keeping Quiet’?
Ans: It symbolizes the need for inner peace, self-reflection, and universal brotherhood.
Other Poems:
| My Mother at Sixty-six |
| An Elementary School Classroom in Slum |
| A Thing of Beauty |
| A Roadside Stand |
| Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers |
also see:
| ONLINE GRAMMAR QUIZZES with CERTIFICATES |
| CBSE: Curriculum Aligned Competency-Based Test Items | EduDel Practice Papers for Class 3 to Class 8: 2022-23 |
| ENGLISH GRAMMAR_1 | ENGLISH GRAMMAR_2 |
| USEFUL EXPRESSIONS IN ENGLISH SPEAKING |
