KEEPING QUIET
QUESTION AND ANSWERS
1.Why does the poet tell us to count up to twelve?
Ans. Twelve symbolises many things. It symbolises twelve months in a year. Twelve mainly
explains the importance of silence. It helps us to introspect and retrospect. Silence can fix a
lot of things and can change the way of life.
2.Why does he advocate silence?
Ans. He advocates silence because according to him, it is only during the few seconds of
silence and inactivity, that man will be able to take stock of his harmful activities and then try
to practise harmony and brotherhood in the world.
3. What does the poet mean by ‘exotic moment’ and how can man achieve it?
Ans. By ‘exotic moment’ the poet means the moments of silence and inactivity which will be
extraordinary and memorable because man will reflect on his activities and hence be able to
make amends. This exotic moment can only be achieved through total silence and inactivity
even it is for a few seconds.
4.What harm do the fishermen do and why do the salt gatherers hands hurt?
Ans. The fishermen harm marine life by killing the whales in the seas and hastening their
extinction. The salt gatherers’ hands hurt because the harsh and coarse feel of salt causes
discomfort and pain to their hands.
5. What are the kinds of wars mentioned in the poem?
Ans. The poet mentions green wars, i.e., wars that man is waging against nature hence
causing environmental degradation, wars with gas and fire or using harmful biological and
nuclear weapons to cause maximum destruction to life and property. War with fire refers to
the conventional mode of combat.
6.Why keeping quiet shouldn’t be confused with total inactivity?
Ans. The poet meant to say that keeping quiet shouldn’t be confused with ‘total inactivity’
and death. When we keep quiet, we find time to introspect our actions. Silence helps us to get
rid of sadness and would create a sense of brotherhood among us.
7.What could be an ideal situation according to the poet?
Ans. The poet strongly maintains that the ideal situation would be when people can happily
walk hand in hand under shady trees i.e. amidst a cool and harmonious atmosphere. They will
then practise oneness, unity and brotherhood.
8. How is inactivity different from death? What does the poet mean by `to have no truck with
death’?
Ans. According to the poet total inactivity only means a temporary stillness, whereas death
means the end of life. ‘No truck with death’ means that the poet does not want any
association with death. He only urges mankind to halt harmful activities for a few seconds.
9.Write the central idea of the poem.
Ans: In this poem, the poet tells us about the value of quiet introspection. He wants us to keep
quiet for twelve seconds and stop every movement of the body. He implores the fishermen
not to harm the whales. He also wants the man gathering salt to stop his activities for a few
minutes, since he has hurt his hands. The poet says that wars are useless. These wars leave no
survivors. However, the poet doesn’t advocate total inactivity. He says that something that
appears to be dead now later proves to be alive. Total inactivity is death, the poet just wants
us to suspend our activities for a few seconds.
