KEEPING QUIET
Pablo Neruda
GIST OF THE POEM
In this poem the poet wants to make the readers understand the importance of work and its effect.
He requests us to keep quiet till he counts up to twelve for perfect introspection.
He requests us not to use any physical and mental languages for a while as they will become a hurdle in keeping quiet.
When there is no rush, no movement and no noise of engines, the threat of sudden strangeness will tie all of us together
into an exotic moment
This will bring relief to the fishermen in cold sea and the salt gatherers will also be able to look after their injured
bleeding hands.
When the environment is endangered, human-existence is threatened, the survivor of the war will realise the futility of
war.
The poet urges us not to mistake inactivity to death.
Keeping quiet and discharging our duties peacefully will evolve better understanding in us.
The achievement of mental peace will lead us to introspection and mutual understanding.
The poet says like the earth the potentials may not be exhibited all the time.
Finally, he declares his departure while persuading us to keep quiet.
THEME OF THE POEM
Silence creates an exotic moment where one forgets one’s differences, wars come to a standstill and a feeling of
brotherhood prevails.
In the war stricken world, the poet has emphasized the need to introspect and how it helps to escape the hustle bustle
of life and bring in the spirit of brotherhood among the people of the world.
TITLE OF THE POEM
The title is very appropriate as the poem celebrates the necessity of quiet introspection and silence.
This moment of silence will act as an antidote to war, violence, hatred, exploitation and turmoil.
By keeping quiet, mankind can try to understand himself and stop harming himself and others with death and
destruction.
Answer the following questions in 30 to 40 words.
1. What does the poet call an exotic moment and why?
Ans. The poet calls the moment of calm introspection ‘an exotic moment’. He calls it so because it will give us a
very unusual feeling. We shall feel ourselves as one with all others. We will come out of all our greed, selfishness
and cruelty.
2. What does the poet say about those ‘who prepare green wars’?
Ans. The poet says that there are people who enjoy making wars. They want to win victories even if there are no
survivors after the victory. The poet says that these people will stop making wars if they can take out sometime for quiet
introspection. They will then look upon all others not as their enemies but as their brothers.
3. What should not be confused with total inactivity? Why?
Ans. The poet says that we should stop all our activities for a few moments and do quiet introspection. But his, this
saying should not be confused with total inactivity. He says that the essence of life is activity while inactivity is death.
4. How, according to the poet, can earth teach us?
Ans. When it is winter, everything on the earth seems to be dead. But later in spring, it is proved that the earth is alive,
not dead. It has new colours and beauties added to it. Similarly, after the silence and stillness of quiet introspection, man
can start his activities in a better and purposeful manner.
5. Explain: ‘interrupt this sadness’.
Ans. Interference in sadness of life means getting rid of it at that moment to create cheerfulness.
6. What are the two types of sadness named in the poem ‘keeping Quiet’?
Ans. One is ‘sadness of never understanding ourselves’. The other is threatening ourselves with death.
7. ‘Life is what it is all about; ‘ How is keeping quiet related to life?
Answer: Keeping quiet does not mean total inactivity, but stillness and quietness to introspect on what we are
doing. This means stopping our normal day-to-day activities to reflect on our actions. Thus it is related to life, although
this may not be visible outwardly.
[Link] will ‘keeping quiet’ protect our environment?
Answer:Keeping quiet and introspecting will initiate peace and brotherhood among men, halting all destructive activities
like waging wars which harm people besides damaging the environment. Thus, the environment will be protected.
[Link] images in the poem ‘Keeping Quiet’show that the poet condemns violence?
Answer: The images of fishermen not harming the whales in the sea and wars leaving behind no survivors to celebrate
victory show that the poet condemns violence. The poet’s refusal to have any association or dealings with death also
shows that he is not in favour of any form of violence.
10: How can suspension of activities help?
Answer: The suspension of activities will give people time to introspect and analyse their actions. This will help them in
solving their problems and conflicts. They will develop a new understanding and hence will mend their destructive ways.
