Keeping Quiet MP Board Explanation and Question Answer
Keeping Quiet – Author Pablo Neruda
Pablo
Neruda was a diplomat – politician and won the Noble prize for literature in
the year 1971. He wrote in green ink which was his personal ideogram. His
writings are simple, wherein lies their beauty.
It
was first written in Spanish, and the emphasis of this poem is based on
introspection and retrospection. The poet feels that some soul–searching is
required for us to be at peace with ourselves and others.
Keeping Quiet Theme
The
main idea focuses on peace and silence and enduring humanity and brotherhood.
The poet expresses anger and at the same time, he is quiet in himself speaking
in a very calm fashion.
He
firmly believes in the idea of serenity and the best way to is not an explosion
of expressions but wisdom.
The
poet wants the readers to focus on introspection and retrospection to acquire
the intellect to understand the purpose of the world.
Anti War
Peace
Introspection
12- Symbol of Perfection when there is no moment in clock . Unite like needle of Clock
Arms -Weapon
Exotic- Something Very Special , Something which is out of the ordinary
Engine- Industrialization
Sudden Strangeness- We behave with each other like stranger in modern world
Fishermen - All the person who are doing work with selfishness ( each one of us)
Hurt hand - We are hurting our environment our-self by doing continuous works, Natural resources utilization
Green war- war against environment
war with Gas- Biochemical War
War with fire- Nuclear War
Clean Clothes : Clean their soul which is full of hatred and Negative
Brothers - with all Human Being
Total inactivity = Suspension of activity, Mental activity should not be stopped, Body may be calm but mind will introspect it should not be compared with death
no truck with Death =
Mindless Kind of Competition , Sacrifice our emotional need as result we become sad and we become isolate and lonely
winter - nothing much growing around the earth, but after winter when spring earth is back to life
Earth also introspect in the month of winters
I have come here to give you message and now you introspect yourself
Keeping Quiet Main points
1. The poem talks about the necessity of
quiet introspection.
2. It will help people to understand
themselves & will create the feeling of mutual love & relationship.
3. By quiet introspection, the poet doesn’t
mean total inactivity; instead he wants full involvement with life.
4. The reason for the discard & war is the
imbalance between man & nature.
5. Quiet introspection will establish a spiritual & physical union that is most desirable for the survival of the earth & of human beings.
Keeping Quiet Word Meanings
- Still = quiet
- Exotic = enticing
- Green wars = war against the environment
- Truck = association
- Inactivity = doing nothing
- Single-minded = focus on one thing only
- Apparent = clear
Keeping Quiet
- The poem is free verse and does not contain any type of rhyme scene
Keeping Quite Summary Explanation
First
stanza
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.
The
poet requests everyone to count up to twelve and the number twelve represents
12 hours of the clock or months of the year. And let there not be any rush for
the engines to be at a halt and machines must stop. He implored all of us not
to speak and stop moving our arms.
‘Arms’ here means the weapons used by different countries to invade.
Therefore, he is demanding peace from all.
Literary
devices
• Assonance: Use of vowel sound ‘o’ and
‘e’
• Anaphora: Two consecutive lines
starting with the word (‘Let’s) let’s not speak in any language, let’s stop for
one second,
• Alliteration: the repetition of a
consonant sound at the start of 2 or more closely placed words.
• ‘we will’ – ‘w’ sound is repeated
Second
stanza
It
would be an exotic moment
without
rush, without engines,
we
would all be together
in a
sudden strangeness.
Fishermen
in the cold sea
would
not harm whales
and
the man gathering salt
would
look at his hurt hands.
The
poet wants that fishermen should not harm the whales and those men who are
gathering salt must take care of their hands. Everyone should keep calm and
stand united with each other, it will look strange as something like this has
never happened before. He further advised not to run after materialistic things
instead they should look at how much damage they have caused.
Literary
devices
• Alliteration- ‘we would’ – ‘w’ sound
is repeated, ‘sudden strangeness’ – ‘s’ sound is repeated, ‘his hurt hands’ –
‘h’ sound is repeated
Third
stanza
Those
who prepare green wars,
wars
with gas, wars with fire,
victory
with no survivors,
would
put on clean clothes
and
walk about with their brothers
in
the shade, doing nothing.
What
I want should not be confused
with
total inactivity.
Life
is what it is about;
I
want no truck with death.
The
poet wants us to introspect that how we have destroyed our green cover by
deforestation, mining, or fishing to realize the aftermath of our actions. He
wants all the people to wear new clothes. Here new clothes mean to follow a new
approach to realize that mass war and killing is not the solution and will lead
to no life on the earth.
The
poet wants us to follow the approach of fraternity and unity. He does not say
us to be halt forever but to stop to introspect our actions.
Literary
devices
• Alliteration: ‘wars with’ – ‘w’ sound
is repeated, ‘clean clothes’ – ‘c’ sound is repeated
• Assonance: use of vowel ‘o’ (victory
with no survivors, would put on clean clothes and walk about with their
brothers)
• Repetition: use of ‘war’
Fourth
stanza
If we
were not so single-minded
about
keeping our lives moving,
and
for once could perhaps a huge silence
might
interrupt this sadness
of
never understanding ourselves
and
of threatening ourselves with death.
Now
he clarifies to his readers that he doesn’t want to be a passive person rather
asks us that we should stop and look at our deeds that what we have done to our
earth by running after greed and exploiting others.
Further,
he wants us to remain in action but to focus on the results as well and urges
them to stop for a while to relish what we have achieved so far. After that, he
wants us to take some time and look for the damages as well. Some kind of
melancholy surrounds us that we forget to see what we have and in order to
extinguish our thirst, we are running and creating problems for humanity all
over the earth.
Literary
devices
• Alliteration: we were, so
single-minded
• Enjambment: and for once could perhaps
a huge silence…of threatening ourselves with death.
Fifth
stanza
Perhaps
the Earth can teach us
as
when everything seems dead
and
later proves to be alive.
Now
I’ll count up to twelve
and
you keep quiet and I will go.
The
poet wants all of us to a lesson from our creation as our earth undergoes
changes day by day in winter changes taking place. So we need to take a pause
and rethink so that everything comes back to life like a reincarnation of one’s
soul.
The
poet tries to convey the purpose of his message and asks them once again to
count up to twelve and move to the path of peace and harmony. By giving an
example of nature like trees, birds, etc wants to say that humans should judge
upon their actions done to our creations. Finally, he ends up saying that now
he will count up to twelve so that we all may become quiet and calm. After
saying this he says ‘I will go’ because he wants them to be left alone to
retrospect on it and work in the direction of peace.
Keeping Quiet Poem Question Answer
Q1.
What does the title of the poem suggest to you? What do you think the poem is
about?
The
title of the poem suggests the importance of silence. The poem is about the
importance of self-examination and introspection. It is also an appeal for
universal harmony.
Q2.
What will counting up to twelve and keeping still help us achieve?
According
to the poet, taking a break from our monotonous routine by ‘counting up to
twelve’ and ‘keeping still’ will help us understand ourselves and those around
us better. The quietness will aid our understanding of the significance of
peace and tranquility in this age of futile activities. Thus, they will help us
in introspection and self-analysis.
Q3.
Do you think the poet advocates total inactivity and death?
Although
the poet believes that silences assist in introspection and help in taking a
break from the world of frenzy activity, he does not advocate total inactivity
and death. Rather, he believes that observing stillness once in a while helps
people to spring back into action, rejuvenated.
Q4.
What is the ‘sadness’ that the poet refers to in the poem?
The
poet refers to the ‘sadness’ of failing to understand oneself in the monotonous
everyday existence. He also finds it sad that humanity is moving towards its
own ruin owing to its unanalyzed actions. He regrets the rush of outdoing
others that have made us forget the values of humanity.
Q5.
What symbol from Nature does the poet invoke to say that there can be life
under apparent stillness?
The
poet uses the symbol of the earth to illustrate the point that there can be
life under apparent stillness.
Read
the stanzas given below and answer the questions that follow each:
1.Now
we will count to twelve and we will all keep still.
Questions
(a)Name
the poem and the poet of these lines.
(b)Why
does the poet ask us to count to twelve?
(c)Why
does the poet ask us to keep still?
(d)
Find words from the passage which mean.
(ii)
say number (iii) quiet and motionless.
Answers:
(a)The
name of the poem is Keeping Quiet. The name of the poet is Pablo Neruda.
(b)There
are only twelve signs on the clock to measure hours. Therefore, the poet asks
us to count till the clock measures these horns.
(c)Too
much activity and rush has only brought misfortunes to mankind. Hence, it is
better to be quiet and still.
(d)
(i) count (ii) still
2. 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.
Questions
(a)Name
the poem and the poet of these lines.
(b)‘Let’s
not speak in any language’, says the poet. Why?
(c)What
should we not do for a second?
(d)
What do you understand by ‘the face of the Earth ?
Answers:
(a)The
name of the poem is Keeping Quiet. The poet is Pablo Neruda.
(b)The
people of the world have been indulging in wars and bloodsheds on minor
excuses. If they keep quiet, they may not indulge in reasoning, disputes and
quarrels. So, let them keep quiet and not speak in any language. This will
ensure peace and prosperity.
(c)We
should cease all activities for a second. Man has used his arms only to kill
and destroy others. Therefore, let them not move their arms so much as to harm
others.
(d)
The expression “the face of the Earth’ refers to the various countries on the
surface of the earth.
in a
sudden strangeness.
Questions
(a)Name
the poem and the poet of these lines.
(b)What
will happen if there is no rush or running of engines?
(c)What
sort of moment will it be?
(d)How
would all of us feel at that moment?
Answers:
(a)The
name of the poem is Keeping Quiet. The poet is Pablo Neruda.
(b)There
will be peace all around if there is no rush or the sound of the running of
engines and machines.
(c)It
will be a very enticing and beautiful moment.
(d) All of us will enjoy the unusualness and sudden strangeness of that moment.
4.
Fishermen in the cold sea would not harm whales and the man gathering salt
would
look at his hurt hands.
Questions
(a)What
do fishermen usually do in the cold sea?
(b)What
does the poet ask fishermen not to do?
(c)What
has happened to the man gathering salt?
(d)
What should the man gathering salt do?
Answers:
(a)Fishermen
usually catch fish, particularly whales, in the cold seas.
(b)The
poet asks fishermen not to hurt or injure the whales in the seas.
(c)The
man gathering salt has injured his hands.
(d)He must take care of his hurt hands.
5.
Those who prepare green wars,
wars
with gas, wars with fire,
victory
with no survivors,
would
put on clean clothes
and
walk about with their
brothers
in
the shade, doing nothing.
Questions
(a)Name
the poem and the poet of these lines.
(b)What
sort of wars are mentioned in the above lines?
(c)What
kind of victory will it be?
(d)
How should the lovers of war behave?
Answers:
(а)The
name of the poem is Keeping Quiet. The poet is Pablo Neruda.
(b)Green
wars, wars with poisonous gases and wars with the fire are the different kinds
of wars.
(c)
It will be a victory where no survivors will be left to celebrate it. Such a
victory will be meaningless.
(d)
They should put on clean clothes and walk with their brothers under the trees
leisurely doing nothing.
with
total inactivity. i Life is what it is about;
I
want no truck with death.
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.
Questions
(a)What
does the poet want? What should it not be confused with?
(b)Explain:
7 want no truck with death’.
(c)What
do people pursue single-mindedly? Which is the better course the poet suggests?
(d)When
can a huge silence do us good?
Answers:
(а)The
poet is advocating for silence or stillness. Stillness should not be confused
with total inactivity.
(b)Total
inactivity brings death. The poet refuses to associate (or deal) with death.
Thus, he is not advocating for death.
(c)People
pursue single-mindedly on keeping their lives moving. ..The poet suggests that
it would be better if they give themselves rest for sometime. For once they may
do nothing.
(d)A huge silence can do us a lot of good when we are disappointed at not understanding ourselves or threatening ourselves with death.
7.
Perhaps the Earth can teach us as when everything seems dead and later proves
to be alive.
Now
I’ll count up to twelve
and
you keep quiet and I will go.
Questions
(a)What
can the Earth teach us?
(b)What
remains alive when everything seems dead?
(c)Who
is the poet? What does he want to do?
(d)What
does the poet ask us to do?
Answers:
‘(a)
The earth can teach us a lesson how to live on it.
(b)Only
the earth remains alive when everything seems dead.
(c)
The poet is Pablo Neruda. He wants to count upto twelve.
(d)
He asks us to keep quiet while he is counting upto twelve.
Keeping Quiet Important Question Answer
Q1.
What will counting up to twelve and keeping still help us achieve?
Ans:
Counting up to twelve takes very short time. Keeping still for this brief
interval of time gives us a momentary pause to introspect and review the course
of action. It is generally observed that most of the ills and troubles of the
world are caused by our rush or hurry. Violence is caused by anger. Keeping
quiet and still will give us necessary respite and ensure peace.
Q2.
Do you think the poet advocates total inactivity and death?
Ans: No, he doesn’t advocate either total inactivity or death. He makes it quite clear that ‘stillness’ should not be confused with “total inactivity or equated to it. Total inactivity brings death. But Neruda has ‘no truck with death’. His stillness means halting of harmful and hostile human activities.
Q3.
What is the ‘sadness’ that the poet refers to in the poem?
Ans:
Man’s sadness is formed out of his own actions and thoughts. It is quite
ironical that man who understands so much fails to understand himself and his
action. Rash actions prove harmful and disastruous. Man is the creator of all
disasters. He is always threatening himself with death because of his thoughts
and actions. This is the tragedy of his life.
Q4.
What symbol from Nature does the poet invoke to say that there can be life
under apparent stillness?
Ans:
The poet wants to prove that there can be life under apparent stillness. The
poet invokes the earth as a living symbol to prove his point. The earth never
attains total inactivity. Nature remains at work all the time even under
apparent stillness. It keeps earth alive. This idea is beautifully illustrated
by the following lines:“as when everything seems dead and later proves to he
alive.”
Keeping Quiet SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS
Q1.
Why does Pablo Neruda urge us to keep still?
Ans:
Stillness is essential for calm reflection and quiet introspection. We hear the
voice of conscience in moments of silence. The poet is convinced that most of
human ills and miseries are caused by man’s hurry and rush to do things. The
poet wishes that we may withdraw ourselves from our undesirable actions and
keep still for a moment.
Q2.
Why shouldn’t we “speak in any language” and “not move our arms so much”?
Ans: People of the world speak in different languages. They indulge in unnecessary debates and disputes. Most of these arguments lead to destructive wars. The poet urges people to stop speaking in any language. They must speak through their hearts. So far men have moved their arms only to harm others. Therefore, the poet wants that they should not move their arms so much. Let these arms rest for once. Let a feeling of mutual understanding , be created among human beings.
Q3.
Pablo Neruda says:“we would all be together in a sudden strangeness.”
When
can we experience such a moment? Why will that be an exotic moment?
Ans:
Non-stop activity, unnecessary rush and noise have made our lives unpleasant
and full of misery, pain and troubles. We must stop rushing, hurrying, worrying
and running. Even the noise of engines and machines must stop for once. Then
all of us will enjoy the sudden strangeness of that moment. It will be a unique
moment. In that exotic or fascinating moment we shall feel totally relaxed,
physically as well as mentally.
Q4.
What does the poet ask the fisherman and the man collecting salt to dot What
docs In-exactly want to convey by this?
Ans:
Pablo Neruda is against any kind of violence. He addresses the fishermen and
asks them not to harm whales living in the cold seas of the polar regions. He
is also against any kind of self torturing. The man who is gathering salt has
hint his hands. He asks this man to look after himself and take care of his
injured hands.
Q5.
What are the different kinds of war mentioned towards war?
Ans:
The poet is against wars of all kinds. He wants a total stoppage of war. Green
wars against the environment, wars with poisonous gases and wars with fire must
be terminated (stopped) at once.
Q6.
What alternative does Pablo Neruda suggest instead of indulging in wars?
Ans:
Instead of indulging in wars, the people must come out in their best dresses
with then- brothers. They should go out for a walk under the shady trees and
enjoy themselves doing nothing. This would bring the feeling of togetherness
among them.
Q7.
How does the poet distinguish ‘stillness’ from ‘total inactivity’? Why does
Neruda saw I want no truck with death?
Ans:
Pablo Neruda is in favour of stillness or silence. We remain still and quiet
for sometime. On the other hand, total inactivity is a permanent suspension of
work. It is just like death. ‘Stillness’ should not be Confused with ‘total
inactivity’. Life goes on as usual. There can’t be anything like total
inactivity. The poet refuses to associate with death or deal with it.
Q8.
Why does the poet fee! that we should not be so single-minded’?
Ans:
People are generally single-minded. They want to focus on only one thing. They
want to keep their lives going. They are ever busy in their pursuit. The poet
wishes that they would not be so much absorbed with always remaining on the
move. They must have some respite or rest. They too need peace or silence.
Q9.Why
do men become sad? How can this sadness be overcome?
Ans:
Men fail to understand themselves. They are always threatening themselves with
death. When they realise their failure to understand themselves they become sad
or helpless. Fear of death also makes them sad. Only a huge silence’ can
interrupt this sadness. Such silence will do them good.
Q10.
How might a huge silence interrupt the sadness of men?
Ans:
Men never understand themselves. Nor are they ever sure of their actions. They
face another tragedy. Due to their own actions, they are threatening themselves
with death. This realisation makes them helpless and sad. Only a huge (long)
silence might interrupt this sadness and do them some good.
Q11.
Under the apparent stillness there is life. Justify this statement giving an
example from the poem ‘Keeping Quiet’.
Ans:
Neruda does not equate stillness with total inactivity. He believes that under
this apparent stillness there is life. We can learn it from the earth. When
everything seems dead, the earth still remains alive. The earth is never dead.
The life on the earth goes on as usual under the apparent stillness.
Q12. Justify the title ‘Keeping Quiet’.
Ans:
The title of the poem is quite appropriate and logical. It suggests the
necessity of quiet introspection. The people of the world are overactive and
always on the move. Their activities have caused untold troubles and
sufferings. Keeping quiet will do them a lot of good. It will save them from
many harmful and violent activities. Moreover, it will help in reflecting over
the fate of man and help in creating a feeling of mutual understanding among
human beings.
Q13.
Which is the exotic moment that the poet refers to in ‘Keeping Quiet’:
Ans:
The poet talks about the exotic moment when everyone keeps quiet. There will be
no rush for a second. The machines must stop for a moment. That moment will be
fascinating for all of us. All of us shall enjoy the sudden strangeness of the
moment together.
Keeping Quiet Important Extracts
1.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
It
would be an exotic moment
without
rush, without engines
we
would be all together
in a
sudden strangeness.
Questions
Q1. Which moment is referred to here and how will it be?
Ans. it will be a moment of peace and introspection. It will be a strange and attractive moment that will bring us closer.
Q2. How would we feel at that moment?
Ans. We will realize a feeling of oneness.
Q3. How will it bring all of us together?
Ans. By keeping quiet and still, we all will feel alike as if we are together.
2.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
What
I want should not be confused
with
total inactivity.
Life
is what it is about;
I
want no truck with death.
Questions
Q1. What is it that should not be confused with total inactivity?
Ans. It is the moment of silence that should not be confused with total inactivity.
Q2. What is life about?
Ans. Life is about actions and dynamism. It must go on. The efforts to keep the race alive cannot be suspended even for a day. Action is the essence of life.
Q3. Explain: “no truck with death”.
Ans.
Total inactivity is a synonym of death and he has no association with death.
This short silence is very much alive and preparation for renewed hectic
activity.
3.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
Those
who prepare green wars,
wars
with gas, wars with fire,
victory
with no survivors,
would
put on clean clothes
and
walk about with their brothers
in
the shade, doing nothing.
Questions
Q1. In which wars are there no survivors?
Ans. There are no survivors in the wars of poisonous gases and the war of firearms.
Q2. Who would put on clean clothes?
Ans. The war-wagers would put on clean clothes.
Q3. What does ‘put on clean clothes’ signify?
Ans.
‘Put on clean clothes’ signifies the feelings of their mutual understanding.
4.
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.
Questions
Q1. What will happen if we go on thinking single-minded?
Ans. In case we go on thinking single-minded, we will remain busy in worldly activities, thereby we won’t find time for self-introspection. It will be a sad situation.
Q2. How can we understand ourselves?
Ans. We can understand ourselves through self-introspection.
Q3. In what way can huge silence dispel sadness?
Ans. Huge silence will remove all our tension, violence, and warfare. It will do away with all our sadness.
Q4. What is the ‘sadness’ that the poet refers to in the poem?
Ans.
The poet Pablo Neruda refers to ‘sadness’ which we form out of our own thinking
and actions. We understand a lot of things but fail to understand ourselves and
our actions and this becomes the creator of all disasters. This is the
‘sadness’ that the poet refers to in the poem
Q5. Why does the poet want us to ‘do nothing’ for once?
Ans.
The poet wants to do nothing for once, here he specifies that we should cease
all our activities in order to have introspection within ourselves so that we
can realize the exotic moment.
Q7. How we can know ourselves?
Ans.
We can know ourselves through introspection.
Q8. Identify ‘we’.
Ans.
‘We’ here refers to all human beings.
5. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
Perhaps
the Earth can teach us a
as
when everything seems dead
and
later proves to be alive.
Now
I’ll count up to twelve
and
you keep quiet and I will go.
Questions
Q1. What does the earth teach us?
Ans. The earth teaches us how life springs from dead things. It further teaches us to realize life under stillness.
Q2. What does the poet mean to achieve by counting up to twelve?
Ans. He wants us to achieve peace by counting up to twelve.
Q3. What is the significance of ‘Keeping Quiet’?
Ans.
‘Keeping quiet’ means that we should avoid all those activities which hurt
nature.
Keeping Quiet Questions and Answers
Q1. Why does the poet want us to keep quiet?
Ans.
Keeping quiet will develop a better understanding among human beings and allow
us to establish communion with our fellow beings at a spiritual level.
Q2. Does the poet advocate total inactivity and death by suggesting being quiet?
Ans.
No, the poet does not advocate it. He wants no truck with death. In fact he
wants to live life full-blooded. But by advocating quietness he wants to mix
the physical and spiritual aspects of life.
Q3. Why does not the poet want us to speak in any language?
Ans.
The poet wants us not to speak in any language to introspect and know what we
are about- know the meaning of our existence. He wants everybody to know his
spirit and have spiritual contact with others for sometimes for which no
language is required.
Q4. What will counting up to twelve and keeping still help us achieve?
Ans.
Counting up to twelve and keeping quiet will assist us in attaining a state of
peace in which we will be able to introspect and thus, see and appreciate the
benefits of the symbiotic relationship that would exist between humans and
between man and nature.
Q5. Do you think the poet advocates total inactivity and death?
Ans.
The poet does not advocate total inactivity and death, but he does advise that
we introspect deeply and not indulge in activity that is mindless and thus
potentially destructive for human beings and for the balance that should exist
between man and nature.
Q6. What is the ‘sadness’ that the poet refers to in the poem?
Ans.
Man fails to understand themselves. They are always threatening themselves with
death. When they do not understand themselves, they become sad. Only silence
might interrupt this sadness and make them happy.
Q7. What symbol from Nature does the poet invoke to say that there can be life under apparent stillness?
Ans.
Life under apparent stillness can be seen in nature. During the winter season,
the earth under the snow looks dead, with no activity and no growth. But when
the spring comes, the snow melts away, the seeds sprout and the grass grows.
All activities of life start again.
Q8. According to the poet, what is that human beings can learn from nature?
Ans.
Nature teaches us a lot of things. We must learn that all things are bound
together and depend on each other for their survival. We should introspect
ourselves by remaining calm and composed. So it teaches us to be quiet and
still. It is no use to hinder others. We should grow and develop at our own
Place. We must be contented with what we possess. There is no need for greed.
Nature always remains alive.
