Keeping Quiet
- Pablo Neruda
Summary
Pablo Neruda’s ’Keeping Quiet’ is a thought-provoking and evocative poem that calls
for a moment of silence to achieve unity, self- awareness, and environmental harmony. The
poem invites readers to pause, reflect, and consider the potential for positive change within
themselves and the world. The poet highlights the need for quiet introspection and tries to
create a feeling of mutual understanding, love and respect in the world.
The poet urges mankind to cease all activity for a while and count up to twelve.
Keeping quiet will facilitate introspection. During these few moments of silence and
inactivity all human beings would be one, united and in harmony with each other and
nature. In this tranquil moment, conflicts and violence cease, and people become aware of
their shared humanity and the beauty of existence. Neruda suggests that by embracing
silence, individuals can escape the relentless pursuit of progress, the utter futility of our
aggressive endeavours and find solace in simply being alive.
He appeals to the readers to learn the lesson from nature. Though the earth appears
to be inactive or dormant on the surface, it is selflessly productive. Similarly, this exotic
moment of silence could rejuvenate our souls, understand ourselves and others, and make
us productive without aggression, selfishness fostering the spirit of brotherhood and
harmony. The poet emphasises the importance of introspection and contemplation,
suggesting that in silence, humanity may find the answers to its deepest questions and
discover the true essence of life. In conclusion analysis of Keeping Quiet highlights Pablo
Neruda’s views on the futility of war and destruction and its impact on humans, countries
and nature.
Theme:
Unity and Stillness
Environmental Consciousness
Self-Reflection / Introspection
Transformation and Renewal
Poetic Device Example
Alliteration we will
sudden strangeness
his hurt hands
clean clothes
we were
Anaphora Let’s not speak in any language
let’s stop for a second.
Repetition Wars with gas; wars with fire
without rush, without engines
Metaphor Put on clean clothes
In the shade
Symbolism Count to twelve
Fisherman in the cold sea
would not harm whales
and the man gathering salt
would look at his hurt hands
Brothers
Personification Earth can teach us as when everything seems dead and
later proves to be alive.
Irony victory with no survivors
Euphemism No truck with death
Metonymy Let’s not speak in any language
Pun not move our arms – hands / weapons
Rhyme Scheme Free Verse
Tone:
The poem’s tone is contemplative, meditative, and optimistic. Despite addressing serious
themes of environmental damage, human conflict, and mortality, the poet maintains a
hopeful perspective. The poem ultimately offers the possibility of renewal and
transformation through collective introspection.
Juxtaposition and Imagery:
Neruda employs vivid imagery to contrast daily life’s frenetic pace and stillness’s serene
beauty. The image of people counting to twelve and keeping quiet emphasises the
universality of this act. The contrast between “exotic moment” and “without rush, without
engines” paints a vivid picture of the peaceful tranquillity that the poet envisions.
Why the number twelve?
(Possible Interpretation) The number twelve is often associated with completeness and
wholeness in various cultures.
twelve months in a year
twelve hours on a clock face
twelve zodiac signs.
By instructing the readers to “count to twelve,” the poet may suggest a sense of totality,
encompassing the entirety of existence.
Answer the following questions:
1. How does the poem envision a positive change resulting from this moment of silence?
The poem envisions several positive changes resulting from this silence. During this
time, people might reflect on their actions, reconsider the harm they may be causing (e.g.,
fishermen not harming whales, those preparing for wars putting on clean clothes), and find
a sense of unity and brotherhood.
2. How does the poem suggest that silence can interrupt the sadness of never
understanding ourselves?
The poem suggests that life’s constant busyness and noise of life can prevent us
from truly understanding ourselves and our purpose. Silence allows for introspection and
self-discovery, potentially interrupting this confusion and leading to greater self-awareness.
3. What symbol from nature does the poet invoke to say that there can be life under
apparent stillness?
The poet invokes the symbol of mother Earth to reinforce his idea that there is
wisdom in tranquillity and peace. The reference to the Earth teaching us is a metaphor for
the idea that nature has its cycles of apparent dormancy and rebirth, and by observing
nature, we can learn to appreciate the moments of stillness and recognise that even in
apparent peace, there is life and potential for change.
4. What is the significance of the repeated act of counting to twelve?
Counting to twelve represents a brief pause, collective stillness and reflection. It
symbolises the idea that everyone, regardless of their language or nationality, can
participate in this act of silence and unity. The repeated act of counting to twelve serves as a
meditative and rhythmic device in the poem. It emphasises the importance of the collective
action proposed by the poet-everyone counting to twelve and keeping quiet. This repetition
also creates a sense of ritual, suggesting that this act of stillness and unity is meant to be
practised regularly to bring about positive change and self-awareness.
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