SRI GURU GOBIND SINGH PUBLIC SCHOOL

SECTOR 35 B, CHANDIGARH

KEEPING QUIET
by Pablo Neruda
MIND MAP

Pablo Neruda was a

Christian poet, who The poem was originally
started writing poems at written in Spanish by
the age of 13. He won the Pablo Neruda but later
Nobel Prize in Literature translated in English.
in 1971.

Title: It conveys Neruda’s Theme: Necessity of

philosophy of an exotic quiet introspection and
moment of silence and
Keeping
creating mutual
inactivity which can be Quiet understanding among
solution to war, violence, humans.
hatred, exploitation and
turmoil.

Tone of the poem:

Hopefulness, peace and
harmony.
Rhyme Scheme: Keeping
Quiet has no rhyming
scheme. Written in a
simple yet elegant
language, it is a free verse
poem. Values: Introspection,
retrospection, universal
brotherhood, sensitivity to
the environment, peace,
empathy, unity etc.
 SRI GURU GOBIND SINGH PUBLIC SCHOOL
SECTOR 35 B, CHANDIGARH

THEME

‘If speech is silver, silence is golden’, for in the vast treasure of deep silence one can find a large resource of
peace and tranquility. In the hidden recesses of silence, all diversions disappear because one is at one's
peaceful best at that point of time. Silence creates an exotic moment, where one forgets every type of
segregation; wars come to a standstill and a feeling of brotherhood prevails. The poem “Keeping Quiet”
celebrates the necessity of following the adage “Live and Let live”. Much of the evil shall disappear in the
depths of an understanding, silent and inactive life. Life on earth can become a heaven for those moments
when man does nothing for a while.

TITLE

The title “Keeping Quiet” emphasizes the necessity of quiet introspection and creating a feeling of mutual
understanding among human beings. It conveys Neruda's philosophy about the power of silence and
inactivity which can be an antidote to war, violence, hatred, exploitation and turmoil. By keeping quiet, man
can try to understand himself and stop harming the World with death and destruction. Thus, the title is very
appropriate and amply justifies the necessity and utility of remaining quiet in the world troubled by turmoil.

MESSAGE

‘Keeping Quiet’ leaves a message of universal brotherhood and peace. It urges the readers to stop all sorts of
aggression, including those towards the environment. If we think of ourselves as the hands of the clock on
the face of this earth, moving in our routine ways, won't it be a good thing to stop at twelve and do some
introspection? Surprisingly, the differences of the three hands will fade away. There will be perfect universal
brotherhood.

PARA 1 (Now we……………………arms so much)

The poet urges the readers to count to twelve and maintain absolute stillness. He calls upon them to observe
a brief period of silence. The use of number twelve can be associated to the hours of day light filled with the
noise generated by human activity. It can also mean the number of months in a year. Both things indicate the
manner in which our time is drowned in the noise that we create continuously.

The poet appeals to observe at least once such moment on Earth when no words of any kind are used. He
suggests using no other language besides the language of silence, for that would provide an opportunity to
introspect. He exhorts the readers to stop for a brief time, just a second, and not to sway arms while
expressing their views. This appeal highlights the practice of humans to speak constantly and reinforce their
speech by gesticulations.

PARA 2 (It would……………strangeness)

The poet then attempts to present to the reader the worth of a moment of silence. He believes it to be an
exotic moment devoid of distracting hurry or noise. It would have the strange power to bring together all
humanity. That moment of deliberate silence will be free from violence and shall permit time for self-
introspection. With more time to think about their actions and awareness about their power, men will exhibit
their free will and stop harming their surroundings. The poet gives the examples of a fisherman not harming
whales and a man collecting salt stopping a while to examine his own wounds.
 SRI GURU GOBIND SINGH PUBLIC SCHOOL
SECTOR 35 B, CHANDIGARH

PARA 3 (Fishermen…………. hurt hands.)

With more time to think about their actions and awareness about their power, men will exhibit their free will
and stop harming their surroundings. The poet gives the examples of a fisherman not harming whales and a
man collecting salt stopping a while to examine his own wounds.

PARA 4 (Those who……………doing nothing)

The poet refers to conflicts over land and air to drive home the point that the outcome of such wars results in
losses for all participants. These wars bring a kind of victory which cannot be celebrated since it does not
leave behind any survivors.

A time zone of silence would make us aware about this bitter reality. When such a conscious effort for
introspection will be made, men would shed their bloody war garments and adorn unsoiled clothes i.e. adopt
a fresh approach to life. This approach would encourage everyone to move together like brethren under the
soft and embalming shade in place of violence and rage of conflict. Then no one will have to struggle in the
race of one-upmanship because nothing would be required to be done when peace would have been
acquired.

PARA 5 (What I want…………. truck with death.)

Clarifying his views about ‘doing nothing’ the poet says that his plea for stillness should not be mistaken for
passivity or lethargy. He urges to look at life honestly for its simplicity. Life should not be interpreted
something complicated. It is a very simple experience of existing in harmony with our surroundings and
appreciating the beauty of quietness within and around us. His desire not to have ‘truck with death’ is an
idiom that connotes having nothing to do with the end of life or being an agent of death. He wants to live life
peacefully and quietly without bothering about any jerks or impediments caused by an integral part of
human lives - death.

PARA 6 (If we were……………ourselves with death.)

The poet explains the benefits of ‘a huge silence’ asking the reader to consider the situation when none of us
would make deliberate efforts to move our lives further. That moment, when all us would break the self-
inflicted barriers of time, routine and habit, that moment of ‘inaction’ would help us to introspect the
sadness that we experience because of our failure to understand ourselves. It would also help us overcome
our fear of death which is an inevitable aspect of existence.

PARA 7 (Perhaps the Earth……………… I will go)

The poet finally takes us to Nature to understand the simplicity that runs the cycle of life. He asks us to learn
from Earth which appears still and lifeless from afar but as we observe closely it is full of bustling life.
Everything which is born on earth goes through the cycle of growth to serve the purpose for which it is sent
to earth by God. It then degenerates and ends in death only to make way for new and young life to follow
the same cycle. Having presented his philosophy, the poet leaves the reader alone to sit in silence and
personally experience the power of quietness. The central idea of the poet, his call to observe silence and
introspect ourselves, resounds at the end signifying the sincere desire of the poet about keeping quiet.
 SRI GURU GOBIND SINGH PUBLIC SCHOOL
SECTOR 35 B, CHANDIGARH

EXTRA QUESTIONS

1. What will counting upto twelve and keeping still help us achieve?
Counting up to twelve and keeping still will help us put a brake on the rush and humdrum of life. It
will also help us to introspect, reflect and experience silence and peace. In such a moment we can find
solution to all our problems and difficulties.
2. Do you think the poet advocates total inactivity and death?
No, the poet does not advocate total inactivity. Admitting life to be an ongoing process, he wants
man’s activities to be positively channelized. In fact, he wants that man should put an end to his
hostile and destructive activities and promote constructive activities. He does not want to have any
truck with death by being its agent in any way.
3. What is the ‘sadness’ that the poet refers to in the poem?
The ‘sadness’ the poet refers to is the one that emanates from the isolation which has made the modern
man its victim. This sadness has also made him selfish. He fails to understand that a healthy life can be
lived only in harmony with his fellow beings and not in isolation.
4. What symbol from Nature does the poet invoke to say that there can be life under apparent
stillness?
Or
According to Pablo Neruda, what is it that human beings can learn from Nature?
The poet wants to invoke the symbol of automatic self-regeneration from Nature. This symbol teaches
the human beings to be inspired by throbbing life that remains unnoticed under the cover of decay.
Human beings can thus learn that life and death go hand in hand, so one should focus on life without
worrying about death.
5. Who is the poem addressed to and what does the poet want them to do?
The poet is addressing mankind at large. He wants them to stop their activities for a while and sit
quietly and peacefully to introspect the consequences of their actions. He believes that by observing
silence men can attain peace and tranquility.
6. What does the poem teach us?
The poem teaches us the power of silence and introspection. It exhorts us to observe absolute quietness
and stillness. In such a state we shall realise our follies and hence break the shackles of discrimination,
hatred and violence to create an exotic moment of togetherness.
7. What will possibly be the effect of keeping quiet?
Keeping quiet will give us an opportunity to analyse our inner selves as well as our relationship with
our surroundings. The effect of this would be on our careless and irresponsible attitude towards
everything. It will make us peaceful and happier.
8. What differences and distinctions has man built for himself and with what result?
Man has imprisoned himself behind linguistic and nationalistic walls. These differences and
 SRI GURU GOBIND SINGH PUBLIC SCHOOL
SECTOR 35 B, CHANDIGARH

distinctions have brought about alienation between races, communities and countries. They are sources
of negative emotions like ill-feeling, insecurity, hatred, jealousy and enmity with fatal consequences.
9. What would happen if men on earth did not speak in any language or move their arms so much?
Man’s silence and inactivity will prove to be a boon for mankind. All distinctions on the basis of
language and nationality will disappear: Unnecessary misunderstandings, disputes and debates borne
out of misuse of language will come to an end. There will be peace and harmony all over.
10. What would be an ‘exotic moment’ for man?
The poet feels that if man keeps quiet for some time and indulges in introspection, doing away with his
workaholic attitude, he would experience an exotic moment. In this exotic moment he would enjoy the
bliss of silence and be away from the din of modern life.
11. Why does one feel ‘a sudden strangeness’ on counting to twelve and keeping quiet?
One feels ‘a sudden strangeness’ because quiet moments make one aware that excessive self-
indulgence has isolated man. The realisation of this drawback makes one feel a sudden but unfamiliar
strength of human race.
12. What is the poet trying to convey through the images of the ‘fishermen’ and ‘men gathering
salt’?
Through these images the poet is highlighting the harm man is causing to Nature and to himself in his
effort to add comforts to his life. The fishermen cause harm to the whales and the men at sea hurt their
hands in an attempt to gather salt.
13. How will keeping quiet protect our environment?
Keeping quiet will help us to realise the damaging effects of our thoughtless actions on Nature
Through the images of ‘fishermen’ and ‘men gathering salt’ the poet highlights this danger. Quiet
moments will allow us time to review our actions and hence protect environment.
14. What different kinds of wars does the poet refer to in the poem?
The poet refers to wars harming environment, chemical wars and wars fought with weapons. Together,
these wars result in massive fires, release of toxic gases and destruction of all greenery and life on
earth. Green wars may also refer to wars triggered by envy, hatred and jealously.
15. What does the poet mean when he says that a chemical war will result in a ‘victory with no
survivors’?
The poet means that no life will survive such a war. A nuclear war will result in total annihilation of
all creatures including man. The release of toxic gases shall eclipse the sun and pollute the atmosphere
leaving no survivors to celebrate the victory.
16. What suggestion does the poet give to man to avoid these wars?
The poet suggests man to just wear clean clothes and walk around leisurely with his brothers in the
shade. These moments of brotherhood which man shall experience by adopting a fresh approach to life
 SRI GURU GOBIND SINGH PUBLIC SCHOOL
SECTOR 35 B, CHANDIGARH

symbolized by his clean clothes will put an end to wars that destroy all parties involved.
17. What has man single-mindedly focussed himself on?
The poet feels that man has single-mindedly focussed himself on advancement and progress of self.
He has thus become a victim of senseless rat-race that actually leads nowhere. Instead, the fad of this
competition leads man to indulge in destructive activities.
18. On what note does the poet conclude the poem?
The poet concludes the poem by reinforcing the serene and pious note on which he began the verse.
He leaves the listeners in an ecstatic and exotic moment of peace. He once again urges everyone to
count to twelve and be quiet so as to enjoy the bliss of silence.
19. ‘Life is what it is all. about...’ How is keeping quiet related to life?
Life is an ‘on-going process’ and it cannot come to a standstill even after death, for old always gives
birth to new. Keeping quiet is related to life because it provides a pause to review the actions,
decisions. and the entire purpose of human existence.
20. In a world that is constantly running after ‘more’ chasing the next new thing, would it be fair to
think of Neruda's call as merely a fanciful idea?
No, Neruda’s call cannot be deemed to be a fanciful idea. In fact, it is all the more relevant in the times
when people are engaged in a race to acquire more and more. A few moments of absolute stillness will
not only refresh their restless minds but also provide them an opportunity to introspect and know about
the pros and cons of the hectic routines.
21. The world has become a global village, and people across boundaries, nationalities and
communities are now connected to one another. With the advancement of technology, and the
advent of social media, do you think that the task of keeping quiet, as envisaged by Neruda, has
become easier or more complicated? Justify your stance.
The task of keeping quiet as envisaged by Neruda has become all the more complicated in the age of
social media because Neruda wants complete Stillness - silence as well as inactivity. People are so
much addicted to social media that they will find it difficult to abstain from it even for a few moments.
People may be silent in their tongues or lips, but will be engaged in constant communication on social
media.
22. Give two reasons why, according to Pablo Neruda, “keeping quiet” is essential to attaining a
better, more peaceful world.
According to Pablo Neruda, “keeping quiet” is essential in order to attain a better, more peaceful
world because it enables us to introspect and reflect upon our actions. It also helps us to understand
ourselves and our needs in a better way. It further makes us aware of many of our mindless actions
that harm us.
 SRI GURU GOBIND SINGH PUBLIC SCHOOL
SECTOR 35 B, CHANDIGARH

23. Suppose you are Pablo Neruda. You happen to stop at a roadside stand and find the sellers to be
in an appalling state of poverty. Write in about 120 words your advice to the roadside stand
sellers.
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Have you read my poem “Keeping Quiet”? I don’t think that you ever got an opportunity to go to
schools and read literature. In my poem, I have advised people to stop their hectic activities for a few
moments and to ponder Over their lives. I know that you are not engrossed in the fever and fret of this
materialistic world. Your lives are simple with simple needs. You only want to earn some money
which you are not able to because of the cruel indifference of the rich city dwellers.
But I recommend to you too, to stop all activity for a few minutes and meditate. The deep
contemplation will certainly provide you an insight into your problems and you will come out with
solutions. We all are so much obsessed with this materialistic world that we all need some time to be
away from our jobs and silently go deeper into our minds and souls. If you do so, I promise you, my
friends, you will feel much refreshed and energised.