PURNA

VIKASH
CENTRAL SCHOOL
SIVASAGAR

2024-25

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 NAME: NINAD
HAZARIKA
CLASS: XII
ROLL NO:

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

First and foremost, I would

like to thank my teacher,
Teacher’s
for guiding me throughout
Signature
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this project. Your invaluable insights,
constructive feedback, and unwavering support
were instrumental in shaping my ideas and
enhancing my understanding of the subject
matter.

I also extend my gratitude to my family and

friends, who patiently endured my relentless
quest for perfection and provided
encouragement when needed. Your unwavering
support and belief in me were a constant
source of motivation.

This project would not have been possible

without the collective efforts of these
individuals and institutions. I am truly grateful
for their contributions and acknowledge the
pivotal role they played in making this project a
success.
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 CONTENT
SL NO: TOPIC PAGE NO:

1. Poem

2. Introduction

3. About the poet

Theme of the
4.
poem
Poetic devices
5.
used

6. Conclusion

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7. Bibliography

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Poem
Keeping Quiet
-Pablo Neruda
Now we will count to twelve
and we will all keep still.

For once on the face of the

Earth
let’s not speak 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.

Fisherman in the cold sea

would not harm whales
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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 do nothing,
perhaps a huge silence
might interrupt this sadness
of never understanding ourselves

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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 to twelve
and you keep quiet and I will go

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INTRODUCTION
Pablo Neruda, the renowned Chilean poet and
Nobel laureate, is celebrated for his profound
and evocative works that capture the human
experience. Among his vast literary
contributions, "Keeping Quiet" stands out as a
poignant reflection on the importance of
Quietness and mindfulness. Written in 1954,
this thought-provoking poem invites readers to
pause, observe, and connect with the world
around them.

Through "Keeping Quiet," Neruda masterfully

weaves together themes of introspection,
nature, and the human condition, urging us to
slow down and appreciate the beauty in
silence. This poem serves as a powerful
antidote to the chaos and noise of modern life,
reminding us of the transformative power of
quiet contemplation.

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This project delves into the depths of "Keeping
Quiet," analyzing its literary devices, exploring
its thematic resonance, and examining the
cultural and historical contexts that shaped
Neruda's vision. By closely reading this poem,
we will uncover the richness of Neruda's
language, the universality of his message, and
the enduring relevance of his call to Quietness
in our increasingly fast-paced world.

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About the Poet:
Pablo Neruda: A Life of Poetry and
Passion
Early Life and Education
Pablo Neruda was born Ricardo Eliecer Neftalí Reyes
Basoalto on July 12, 1904, in Parral, Chile. He
adopted his pen name in honor of Czech poet Jan
Neruda. Neruda grew up in Temuco, Chile, and
began writing poetry at age 13. He studied French
and pedagogy at the University of Chile.

Literary Career
Neruda's literary career spanned over five decades,
during which he published numerous collections of
poetry, prose, and essays. His early work, influenced
by Symbolism and Romanticism, explored themes of
love, nature, and melancholy. Key milestones in his
literary career include:
- Debut collection: Crepusculario (1923)
- Breakthrough work: Twenty Love Poems and a
Song of Despair (1924)
- Surrealist period: Residence on Earth (1933)
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- Politically charged works: Spain in My Heart (1937)
and Canto General (1950)

Major Works
Some of Neruda's most notable works include:
- Twenty Love Poems and a Song of Despair (1924)
- Residence on Earth (1933)
- Spain in My Heart (1937)
- Canto General (1950)
- Keeping Quiet (1954)

Awards and Recognition

Neruda received numerous awards and honors,
including:
- Nobel Prize in Literature (1971)
- International Peace Prize (1955)
- Lenin Peace Prize (1955)

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Personal Life
Neruda married three times:
- Mariana Calvet (1930-1936)
- Delia del Carril (1936-1955)
- Matilde Urrutia (1955-1973)

Theme of the Poem

The Power of Quietness: Unpacking the Theme of
Pablo Neruda's "Keeping Quiet"

Pablo Neruda's poignant poem "Keeping Quiet"

(1954) invites readers to embrace the
transformative power of silence and Quietness in a
chaotic world. Through lyrical language and
profound imagery, Neruda masterfully explores the
theme of introspection, self-discovery, and the
human need for quiet contemplation.

The Call to Quietness

The poem begins with a gentle yet urgent invitation:
"Now we will count to twelve / and we will all keep
Quiet." Neruda implores us to pause, to silence the

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cacophony of modern life, and to tune into the
rhythms of our inner selves. This call to Quietness is
not merely a suggestion, but a necessity for spiritual
renewal and emotional rebirth.

Embracing the Present

Neruda emphasizes the importance of living in the
present moment, unencumbered by the burdens of
past regrets or future anxieties. "This one time upon
the earth, let us not speak in any language;" he
writes, urging us to shed the distractions of
language and thought, and simply be. By inhabiting
the present, we may rediscover our connection to
the natural world and the beauty that surrounds us.

Introspection and Self-Discovery

In "Keeping Quiet," Neruda also explores the theme
of introspection, encouraging readers to turn inward
and explore the depths of their own consciousness.
"Let us stop for one brief moment, / and not move
our arms so much," he advises, inviting us to cease
our restless activity and instead listen to the
whispers of our own hearts.

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Universal Relevance
Despite being written over six decades ago,
"Keeping Quiet" remains remarkably relevant to
contemporary society. In an era marked by constant
noise, distraction, and digital overload, Neruda's
poem serves as a powerful antidote, reminding us of
the enduring value of silence, Quietness, and
contemplation.

"Keeping Quiet" is a masterpiece of poetic wisdom,

offering readers a profound meditation on the
human condition. Through Neruda's luminous
language, we are reminded that Quietness is not
merely a state of inactivity, but a dynamic, life-
affirming force that can awaken us to the beauty,
wonder, and depth of our own existence. As we
navigate the complexities of modern life, Neruda's
poem invites us to pause, breathe, and rediscover
the transformative power of silence.

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Poetic devices used
1. Alliteration: the repetition of a consonant sound
at the start of 2 or more closely placed words.
‘we will’ – ‘w’ sound is repeated
we would’ – ‘w’ sound is repeated, ‘sudden
strangeness’ – ‘s’ sound is repeated, ‘his hurt hands’
– ‘h’ sound is repeated
‘wars with’ – ‘w’ sound is repeated, ‘clean clothes’ –
‘c’ sound is repeated
we were, so single – minded

2. Anaphora: Two consecutive lines starting with

the word ‘Let’s’
let’s not speak in any language,
let’s stop for one second,

3. Assonance: use of vowel ‘o’ (victory with no

survivors, would put on clean clothes and walk about
with their brothers)
Use of vowel sound ‘o’ and ‘e’ (Now we will count to
twelve, not move our arms so much)

4. Repetition: use of ‘war’

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CONCLUSION
Conclusion
This project explored Pablo Neruda's poignant poem
"Keeping Quiet," delving into its themes, poetic
devices, and enduring relevance. Through nuanced
analysis, we uncovered the richness of Neruda's
language and the depth of his vision.
"Keeping Quiet" emerges as a powerful invitation to
introspection, self-discovery, and contemplation.
Neruda's mastery weaves together imagery,
metaphor, and symbolism to create a transformative
experience. The poem's themes of Quietness,
silence, and love resonate profoundly, urging us to
reevaluate our relationship with the world and
ourselves.
Our analysis demonstrated how Neruda's poetic
devices craft a sense of urgency and intimacy. The
poem's relevance in contemporary society is timely,
reminding us of the importance of silence,
Quietness, and mindfulness amidst constant noise
and distraction.
Neruda's words inspire us to pause, listen to our
inner selves, connect with nature, and cultivate love
and compassion. As we conclude, we carry the
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wisdom of his words and the transformative power of
poetry.
Key Takeaways:
- "Keeping Quiet" is a call to introspection and self-
discovery
- Neruda's poetic devices create a sense of urgency
and intimacy
- The poem remains relevant in contemporary
society

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Primary Sources:
1. Neruda, P. (1954). Keeping Quiet.
2. Neruda, P. (1924). Twenty Love Poems and a Song
of Despair.

Secondary Sources:
1. Felstiner, J. (1985). Translating Neruda.
2. Bishop, T. (1995). The Collected Poems of Pablo
Neruda.

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Online Resources:
1. The Pablo Neruda Foundation.
2. Academy of American Poets.

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