D.A.V.

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Subject: ENGLISH POEM-2 KEEPING QUIET STD- XII

Textual Questions
1: What does the title of the poem suggest to you? What do you think the
poem is about?
Ans: The poem's title refers to the significance of silence. The poem is about
self-examination and introspection. This also reflects an appeal for universal
peace.
2: What will counting up to twelve and keeping still help us achieve?
Ans: Taking a break from our monotonous routine by 'counting up to twelve'
and 'standing still,' the poet says, will allow us to better understand ourselves
and those around us. The quietness in this age of pointless events will support
our comprehension of the importance of harmony and tranquillity. They will,
therefore, assist us in introspection and self-analysis.
3: Do you think the poet advocates total inactivity and death?
Ans: Although the poet argues that silences aid in introspection and aid take a
break from the world of hysteria activity, he does not support absolute
inactivity and death. Instead, he claims that experiencing quietness once in a
while allows rejuvenated people to spring back into action.
4: What is the ‘sadness’ that the poet refers to in the poem?
Ans: The poet refers to the 'sadness' of struggling to grasp oneself in a day-to-
day monotonous life. He also finds it sad that due to his unanalysed acts, the
world is heading towards its own destruction. He regrets the rush to outdo
others which have
made us forget humanity's values.
5: What symbol from Nature does the poet invoke to say that there can be
life under apparent stillness?
Ans: The poet uses the Earth symbol to highlight the argument that under
apparent stillness there can be life.

Poem Extracts
Question 1 : Read the extract given below and answer the questions that
follow.

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.
a) What is the significance of the number ‘twelve’?
Answer : The significance of the number ‘twelve’ is that there are 12 hours in a
clock and 12 months in a year.
b) Which two activities does the poet want us to stop?
Answer : The two activities that the poet wants us to stop are speaking in any
language and moving our arms.
c) What does the poet mean by ‘let’s not speak in any language?
Answer : The poet means that nothing should be spoken in any language, so
there are no disputes.
d) Describe the pun on the word, ‘arms’.
Answer : ‘Arms’ has two meanings – hands and weapons. So the poet wants us
to be still, i.e., not moving our hands, and also not fight, i.e., not use any
weapons.
Question 2 : Read the extract given below and answer the questions that
follow.
‘It would be an exotic moment
without rush, without engines,
we would all be together
in a sudden strangeness’.
a) Which exotic moment is referred to in these lines?

Answer : The ‘exotic moment’ referred to in these lines is the moment when
everyone keeps quiet and there is no movement.

b) Why would that moment be strange?

Answer : That moment would be strange because there will be rush or sound
of engines and it will bring the whole of humanity together for the first time.

c) What does the poet advocate in the poem?

Answer : The poet advocates the need to introspect and think before you act in
the poem.
d) What does the poet mean by the word, ‘engines’?

Answer : By the word ‘engines’, the poet means automobiles or machines.

Question 3 : Read the extract given below and answer the questions that
follow.
“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
and of threatening ourselves with death.”
a) Who does ‘we’ refer to in the above lines?
Answer : ‘We’ refers to the human beings, who are always thinking about their
own progress and advancement.
b) Why does the poet want us to ‘do nothing’ for once?
Answer : The poet wants us to ‘do nothing’ for once so that our mind can be at
peace and we get some time to introspect and analyse our own actions.
c) What is the ‘sadness’ that the poet refers to in the poem?
Answer : The poet refers to the ‘sadness’ which arises due to the fact that
people fail to understand themselves. They have no time to introspect about
their actions and their consequences.
d) How can a huge silence do good to us ?
Answer : A huge silence can do good to us because we would be able to
achieve peace in this silence. It would help us in analysing ourselves and our
actions. This would interrupt the sadness of threatening ourselves with death.
Question 4 : Read the extract given below and answer the questions that
follow.
Perhaps the Earth can teach us
as when everything seems dead
and later proves to be alive
Now I’ll count upto twelve
and you keep quiet and I will go.
a) What does the Earth teach us?
Answer : The Earth teaches us how new life springs from dead remains, and
how there is life under apparent stillness.
b) What does the poet mean to achieve?
Answer : The poet wants to achieve peace by counting upto twelve. He wants
us to introspect in a moment of silence.
c) What is the significance of ‘keeping quiet’?
Answer : Keeping quiet doesn’t mean just not speaking. It means that we
should avoid all activities which hurt nature and, in turn hurt us.
d) What is always alive, even when everything seems to be dead?
Answer : The Earth is always alive, even when everything else seems to be
dead as there is always some activity going on in nature beneath its apparent
stillness.
Question 5 : Read the extract given below and answer the questions that
follow.
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.
a) Why does the poet want us to keep quiet?
Answer : The poet wants us to keep quiet in the hope that the moment of
tranquility might help us in finding the answers to our problems.
b) What does he want us to do for one second?
Answer : The poet wants us to be silent and motionless for one second.
c) What does he mean by “not move our arms”?
Answer : By “not moving our arms” the poet means that we should be in a
state of total stillness with no physical activity at all.
d) How can this moment of stillness help us?
Answer : This moment of stillness can provide us physical and mental rest,
during which our mind will be at peace. We can analyse our actions and their
consequences and avoid rash or thoughtless behaviour.
Question 6 : Read the extract given below and answer the questions that
follow.
It would be an exotic moment
without rush, without engines,
we would all be together
in a sudden strangeness.
a) What will happen if there is no rush or running of engines?
Answer : It will be an ecstatic moment of tranquillity when there is no rush or
running of engines.
b) Why would it be called an exotic moment?
Answer : It would be called an exotic moment because it will be a moment of
universal peace and brotherhood. In that moment, all of us would initiate
introspection through meditation and the whole world will be enveloped in
quietness.
c) How would we feel at the moment?
Answer : We would feel very strange at that moment, because at that time
everyone will have a feeling of oneness with their fellow human beings. It will
be a new feeling altogether.
d) Name the poem and the poet.
Answer : The poem is ‘Keeping Quiet’ and the poet is Pablo Neruda.
Question 7 : Read the extract given below and answer the questions that
follow.
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.
a) How long does the poet want to stay still?
Answer : The poet wants us to stay silent for a brief moment.
b) What does he hope to achieve by keeping quiet?
Answer : He hopes to achieve and realise the value of quiet introspection by
keeping quiet.
c) What does the poet mean by ‘not move our arms so much’?
Answer : By this, he means that we should not make any physical movement,
as physical activity will interrupt our introspection.
d) Why does the poet suggest us not to speak in any language?
Answer : The poet wants us to simply be silent for a moment and utilise that
time to understand ourselves as well as others. Besides, speaking can also lead
to quarrels, which the poet, perhaps, wants to avoid.
Question 8 : Read the extract given below and answer the questions that
follow.
Fishermen in the cold sea
would not harm whales
and the man gathering salt
would look at his hurt hands.
a) What does the poet expect of the fishermen and why?
Answer : In the exotic moment of silence and introspection, fishermen will
become conscious of the fact that they are causing harm to the whales and
would stop killing them.
b) While gathering salt, what will the man do?
Answer : The man gathering salt will stop for a while at the quiet moment and
look at his hurt hands.
c) What do the hurt hands imply?
Answer : ‘Hurt hands’ means that human beings are forgetful of the pain they
are causing to themselves in the pursuit of amassing more and more comforts.
d) How would man and nature benefit in this moment of silence?
Answer : In this moment of silence, man will not harm nature, and both human
beings and nature will get some time to attend to their wounds and recover.

2 Marks Questions (30 – 40 Words)

1 : How would keeping quiet affect life in and around the sea?
Ans : Keeping quiet would affect life in and around the sea in two ways. By
keeping quiet, the fishermen will not kill whales for some time. Also, the salt
gatherers will get some time to heal their hurt hands.
2 : How is the Earth a source of life when all seems dead on it?
Ans : In the poem ‘Keeping Quiet’ the Earth is a source of life because it is
never in a state of total inactivity even when there is silence all around. Nature
continues to work even when everything is still and silent.
3 : How is the total inactivity on the Earth in the winter months full of life?
Ans: The poet has tried to bring out the fact that during winter months
everything seems still and dead, but some activity goes on even then. For
instance, a seed appears to be ‘dead’ but later on trees are born from such
seeds.
4 : “Life is what it is all about”; ……………How is keeping quiet related to life?
Ans: Keeping quiet is related to life as it helps one to introspect one’s actions.
It , also gives one the much needed break from one’s busy schedules. 5 : Why
does one feel ‘a sudden strangeness’ on counting to twelve and keeping
quiet?
Ans : One feels sudden strangeness on counting to twelve and keeping quiet as
everything become quiet and still. This silence is unusual and strange as
mankind has never experienced it before.
6 : How will ‘keeping quiet’ protect our environment?
Ans : Keeping quiet and staying still would protect our environment as the
fishermen would not catch whales and green wars would come to an end
temporarily.
7 : What does the poem ‘Keeping Quiet’ teach us?
Ans : The poem ‘Keeping Quiet’ teaches us to take out some time from our
busy schedules to introspect ourselves. It also teaches us to stop being self-
centered and selfish and be happy by understanding ourselves.
8 : Which symbol from nature does the poet invoke that there can be life
under apparent stillness?
Ans: The poet uses the symbol of seed from nature to explain his idea that
there can be life under apparent stillness. A seed may appear to be dead and
inactive, but one day, the same seed may sprout and become a fruit bearing
tree.
9 : What will counting upto twelve and keeping still help us to achieve?
Ans : This activity would create a moment of togetherness among all; a
condition which is foremost for the survival of humanity. It will also give us
time to analyse our actions and their consequences.
10 : Which is the exotic moment that the poet refers to in ‘Keeping Quiet’?
Ans: The poet refers to the moment of stillness and quietness as an exotic
moment. It would be an exotic moment, as such a tranquility will initiate peace
and brotherhood and consequently, no violence.
11 : What is the sadness that the poet refers to in the poem ‘Keeping Quiet’?
Ans : The poet refers to the sadness which surrounds man due to not having
any time for himself, the pain of not understanding what he or what his fellow
human beings want from him.
12 : Which images in the poem ‘Keeping Quiet’ show that the poet condemns
violence?
Ans: The images of fishermen not harming the whales in the sea and wars
leaving behind no survivors to celebrate the victory show that the poet
condemns violence.
13 : How, according to Neruda, can keeping quiet change our attitude to life?
Ans: Keeping quiet and suspending all our activities for a brief moment will
give us time to introspect and analyse our own actions. We will develop a new
understanding of our surroundings and this would change our attitude to life.
14 : What are the different kinds of wars mentioned in the poem? What is
Neruda’s attitude towards these wars?
Ans : Green wars, wars with poisonous gases and wars with fire are the
different kinds of wars mentioned in the poem. Neruda feels that such wars
may bring victory , but there would be no survivors left to celebrate the
victory.
15 : How can suspension of activities help?
Ans : The poet believes that suspension of activities will allow man to
introspect, which in turn would help them in analysing their own actions, in
solving many of their problems and in mending their destructive ways.
16 : Do you think the poet advocates total inactivity and death in the poem
‘Keeping Quiet’? Why/Why not?
Ans : No, the poet clearly states that his asking for stillness should not be
confused with total inactivity or death as he perceives life to be a continuous
process way.
17 : According to the poet, what is it that human beings can learn from
nature?
Ans: Life under apparent stillness is the thing which man can learn from
nature. The Earth is never in a state of total inactivity. Nature carries on its
work even where there is stillness all around.