Keeping Quiet Explanation Class 12 English Flamingo

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Keeping Quiet Explanation

Keeping Quiet Explanation:-

Stanza (1)

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. 
It would be an exotic moment
without rush, without engines, 
we would all be together 
in a sudden strangeness

Reference – These lines have been taken from the ‘Keeping Quiet’ composed by Pablo Neruda.

Context – The poet here asks people to stop speaking and moving for a while for he believes silence to be golden and provides calm.

Explanation:- The poem begins with preparedness for meditation. It is a kind of wake-up call. The poet asks the readers to count up to twelve and sit still as we do for meditation. He requests them to be absolutely silent and not speak at all in any language. There should not be any kind of physical movement also. This moment of sudden silence would be very rare because there would be no sound of the rush of life, no hustle-bustle and no noise of any kind of engine. In this moment of silence, we can experience a strange kind of togetherness, a feeling of brotherhood that is otherwise not possible in a busy world.

Keeping Quiet Explanation:-

Stanza (2)

Fishermen in the cold sea 
would not harm whales 
and the man gathering salt 
would look at his hurt hands. 
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.

Reference – These lines have been taken from Pablo Neruda’s poem ‘Keeping Quiet’.

Context – The poet conveys the idea that meaningful inactivity would help save both animals from human greed, and humans from their own follies. 

Explanation:- Even the fishermen will sit still and they will not harm the whales. Even the man who is gathering salt will relax for some time. He will get some relief from his painful routine to look after his hands which causes him a lot of misery. The people who are always involved in destructive activities against the environment will stop. All the wars with chemical weapons like gas and fire will stop. Wars are always destructive and hardly any survivor is left. So wars never bring victories. All these kinds of people will wear clean clothes, walk in a fresh environment, and promote bonds of brotherhood and unity.

Keeping Quiet Explanation:-

Stanza (3)

What I want should not be 
confused 
with total inactivity. 
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.

Reference – These lines have been taken from Pablo Neruda’s poem ‘Keeping Quiet’.

Context – Here, the poet clarifies his implication of silence and inactivity very clearly.

Explanation:-The poet warns the readers that his message shouldn’t be confused with total inactivity. Life is work and inactivity is like death. So we shouldn’t only be focused on keeping busy, and moving ahead but should also spare a few moments for ourselves. In that hour of silence, we should indulge in self-introspection, and try to understand ourselves better. If we ignore our inner demands, our busy and mechanical lives will obviously lead us to death. 

Keeping Quiet Explanation:-

Stanza (4)

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

Reference – These lines have been taken from the poem ‘Keeping Quiet’, composed by Pablo Neruda.

Context – The poet stresses the importance of being quiet and inactive for a moment, as does the earth in autumn for its rejuvenation.

Explanation:-The poet feels that Mother Earth is the best teacher. The Earth can teach us about the perpetual cycle of life and death. When everything dies, new life gets ready to shape up. Similarly, during hours of silence, we can think of creative ideas, and revive a new life of tranquility and peace. The poet believes that during meditation, we remain calm and quiet on the surface like Mother Earth and let new ideas generate, like new plants.

Keeping Quiet Summary And Theme

Keeping Quiet PDF