Keeping Quiet" by Pablo Neruda, as per your requested sequence:
1. Appropriate Proverb for the Message of the Poem:
🗣 “Silence is the sleep that nourishes wisdom.” – Francis Bacon
This proverb aligns with the poem's central idea that silence leads to reflection,
understanding, and transformation.
2. Genre & Style of Writing:
Genre: Lyric Poetry / Philosophical Poem
Style of Writing:
o Free verse with no rhyme scheme
o Conversational and reflective tone
o Didactic in nature (teaches a moral/philosophical lesson)
o Written in the first person as an appeal to humanity
o Simple language with deep philosophical meaning
3. Points to Remember:
Poet: Pablo Neruda, Chilean poet, Nobel laureate
The poem is about the importance of silence, introspection, and pausing from our
hectic lives.
Neruda asks us to stop speaking and moving for twelve seconds.
The poem promotes universal peace, unity, and harmony with nature.
It is not an escapist idea, but a temporary retreat to bring positive change.
The poem critiques materialism, wars, and environmental destruction.
Emphasizes introspection as a means to inner peace and connection with others.
4. Summary:
"Keeping Quiet" begins with a request from the poet to count to twelve and be completely
still. He suggests that this moment of silence will allow us to reflect on ourselves and connect
with others in a deeper way. The poet believes that such a moment of inactivity and silence
can help break barriers of nationality, language, and occupation. He envisions a world free
from the constant rush, wars, and destruction caused by human actions.
The poet is not advocating total inactivity or death, but inner peace and a break from
destructive habits. By pausing, even fishermen and those harming nature may begin to
reconsider their actions. In the stillness, people may realize the futility of hatred, conflict, and
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overwork. Ultimately, Neruda advocates for a spiritual awakening, where people understand
the value of quiet reflection and foster peace.
5. Characters and Character Sketch:
There are no individual characters in this poem as it is philosophical and universal in
appeal. However, the poet indirectly refers to:
1. Fishermen
Represents exploitation of natural resources.
Symbolizes those harming marine life for profit.
In silence, they might reflect on the damage they cause.
2. Salt Gatherers
Symbolizes the working class who suffer silently.
Their moment of rest could help them heal emotionally and physically.
3. Soldiers (in metaphor)
Represents the global violence and conflict.
The poet dreams of a world where soldiers rest their arms and embrace peace.
Character Sketch of the Poet – Pablo Neruda:
Deeply humanistic and reflective.
Concerned about war, environmental damage, and overwork.
Believes in universal brotherhood.
Sees silence as a medium of connection, healing, and rebirth.
6. Message and Theme of the Poem:
Message:
Silence and introspection are powerful tools for peace and transformation.
We need to pause and reflect on our actions and their impact on others and nature.
Human beings must rise above selfishness, violence, and greed.
Stillness should be seen as a moment of spiritual awakening, not death.
Themes:
Universal peace and brotherhood
Introspection and self-awareness
Anti-war and anti-materialism
Environmental conservation
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Unity of humanity
Healing through silence
7. Critical Analysis:
"Keeping Quiet" is a deeply philosophical and thought-provoking poem. Pablo Neruda uses
simple yet powerful language to convey his idea that silence is necessary for growth,
understanding, and healing. The poem critiques the destructive tendencies of humans—
such as wars, over-exploitation of resources, and restlessness. The poet doesn’t ask for
permanent silence but a moment of quiet to reconsider our choices. He skillfully balances the
tone between urgency and calmness.
The symbolism of twelve seconds, the imagery of fishermen and salt gatherers, and the
direct conversational appeal to readers make this a universal poem relevant even today. It
serves as a reminder that sometimes, doing nothing can be more powerful than constant
action.
8. Literary Devices and Figures of Speech:
Device Example Explanation
"we would all be together in a Repetition of 's' sound. Creates musical
Alliteration
sudden strangeness" effect and emphasis.
Repetition of "without" in “without
Anaphora Emphasizes stillness and silence.
rush, without engines”
“Fishermen in the cold sea / would Vivid sensory images to depict reality
Imagery
not harm whales” and possibility.
Reinforces the message of unity beyond
Repetition “Let’s not speak in any language…”
language and nationality.
Symbolism "count to twelve" Symbol of time, pause, and meditation.
Personification "Earth can teach us…" Earth is given human ability to teach.
Lines run without punctuation to the Creates flow and continuity in the
Enjambment
next thought process.
“What I want should not be Presents contrasting ideas to provoke
Paradox
confused with total inactivity.” thought.
Silence is metaphorically seen as
Metaphor “perhaps a huge silence…”
something large and powerful.
Calm, reflective, persuasive,
Tone Reflects the poet’s mood and intention.
philosophical
1. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
🔹 Factual MCQs
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1. Who is the poet of “Keeping Quiet”?
a) Robert Frost
b) Pablo Neruda ✅
c) Kamala Das
d) John Keats
2. According to the poet, silence would be:
a) lifeless
b) a moment of sadness
c) a moment of togetherness ✅
d) a moment of loneliness
3. “Let’s not speak in any language.” What does this signify?
a) Unity among people ✅
b) Rebellion
c) Cultural division
d) Ignorance of one’s identity
4. What does the poet mean by “not move our arms so much”?
a) To show laziness
b) To rest
c) To stop all violent and destructive actions ✅
d) To perform yoga
5. How long does the poet ask us to be quiet?
a) 5 seconds
b) 1 minute ✅
c) 10 minutes
d) An hour
🔹 Inference-based MCQs
6. What is the poet’s attitude towards introspection?
a) Negative
b) Neutral
c) Encouraging ✅
d) Disapproving
7. According to the poem, keeping quiet can bring:
a) economic success
b) war
c) harmony ✅
d) pollution
8. The poem reflects on:
a) political power
b) materialism
c) stillness and peace ✅
d) alienation
✅ 2. NCERT Textbook Questions (with Hints)
Q1. What will counting up to twelve and keeping still help us achieve?
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Hint: It allows us to pause, reflect, and understand ourselves better, promoting peace and
unity.
Q2. Do you think the poet advocates total inactivity and death?
Answer: No, he clarifies that stillness is not death. He proposes a momentary pause to reflect
and renew life.
Q3. What is the 'sadness' that the poet refers to in the poem?
Hint: The sadness of being disconnected from one’s self and from others, caused by constant
activity.
Q4. What symbol from nature does the poet invoke to say that keeping quiet is
not equivalent to total inactivity?
Answer: The Earth, which appears still in winter, yet is alive and regenerates in spring.
✅ 3. Reference to Context (RTC)
📌 Passage 1:
Now we will count to twelve
and we will all keep still.
Questions:
1. What does 'count to twelve' signify?
2. Why does the poet ask to ‘keep still’?
3. What poetic device is used in these lines? (Answer: Repetition)
4. What does the number twelve symbolise? (Answer: Clocks / months of the year)
📌 Passage 2:
It would be an exotic moment
without rush, without engines;
we would all be together
in a sudden strangeness.
Questions:
1. What does ‘exotic moment’ mean here?
2. What causes the ‘sudden strangeness’?
3. How would this moment affect people’s lives?
4. What idea is the poet trying to convey? (Answer: Global unity and inner peace)
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✅ 4. Long Answer Questions (120–150 words)
Q1. Explain the central idea of the poem “Keeping Quiet.”
Key Points:
Advocates introspection and silence
Promotes peace and oneness
Not about death but life and renewal
Suggests pausing harmful activities
Q2. How does the poet use nature as a symbol in the poem?
Key Points:
Earth remains quiet but nurtures life
Stillness doesn’t mean inactivity
Nature heals through calmness and reflection
Symbol of rebirth and continuity
Q3. What message does the poet convey through the poem?
Key Points:
Urges unity through silence
Rejects materialism, violence, and haste
Encourages understanding, compassion
Global relevance: war, environment, mental health
✅ 5. Short Answer Questions (30–40 words)
1. What is the significance of the title “Keeping Quiet”?
👉 It emphasizes silence and stillness as a means to self-awareness and world peace.
2. Why does the poet oppose ‘wars with gas and fire’?
👉 Such wars cause destruction and death; they reflect humanity’s failure to introspect.
3. Why is silence considered 'exotic' in the poem?
👉 Because it is rare, unique, and powerful in bringing peace and connection.
4. How is 'stillness' different from 'inactivity' in the poem?
👉 Stillness is a pause for thought; inactivity implies lifelessness, which the poet
doesn’t support.
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5. What kind of ‘sadness’ is mentioned in the poem?
👉 Sadness from not understanding ourselves or others, from living unexamined lives.
✅ 6. Competitive/Concept-Based Questions
1. The poem “Keeping Quiet” is a call for —
a) celebration
b) revolution
c) self-reflection ✅
d) activism
2. The poet’s tone can be described as —
a) angry
b) meditative ✅
c) sarcastic
d) humorous
3. Which literary device is used in “wars with gas, wars with fire”?
👉 Metaphor and Repetition
4. The poem is a form of —
a) satire
b) lyrical poetry ✅
c) dramatic monologue
d) elegy
✅ 7. Previous Year Questions (CBSE Board)
🔸 Class 12 English Board Exams – Frequently Asked:
1. (2020) What will keeping quiet help us achieve? (2 Marks)
Answer: It will help us introspect, stop destructive activities, and create harmony.
2. (2021 Sample Paper) What does the poet mean by 'we would all be together in a
sudden strangeness’? (2 Marks)
Answer: A shared moment of silence would create unity and peace — a rare and
surprising experience.
3. (2022 Term 2) Explain how the Earth is a living symbol in the poem. (3 Marks)
Answer: The Earth remains still in winter yet comes to life in spring — a symbol that
stillness leads to renewal, not death.
4. (2023) What is the sadness that the poet refers to in the poem ‘Keeping Quiet’? (2
Marks)
Answer: The sadness of misunderstanding oneself, being disconnected due to
constant activity.
