Class XII - English - Flamingo - Poem - Keeping Quiet by Pablo Neruda

Complete Text

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.

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.

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.

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.

Theme of the Poem ‘Keeping Quiet’

The theme of this poem is the desire for stillness and contemplation in a world obsessed with action and violence. The speaker suggests that our constant activity and focus on self-preservation prevent us from truly understanding ourselves and the world around us. By embracing stillness and silence, we may be able to learn from nature and find a deeper sense of meaning in life. The poem emphasizes the importance of finding balance and rejecting the destructive impulses of war and violence.

Summary of the Poem ‘Keeping Quiet’

"Keeping Quiet" is a poem written by Pablo Neruda, urging humanity to take a moment of stillness and reflection. The poet invites readers to count from one to twelve, symbolizing the hours on a clock or the signs of the zodiac, and to refrain from speaking. He suggests that language creates barriers between people, and that a moment of silence could be a transformative experience.

During this period of inactivity, the poet imagines that even those who harm nature or prepare for war would adopt a new approach and join together in unity. He emphasizes the importance of universal brotherhood and peace, and expresses his desire to see an end to war and its devastating consequences.

The poet acknowledges that people are often driven by the fear of death and work endlessly to achieve their goals. He encourages readers to take a step back and celebrate their accomplishments, while also considering the consequences of their actions. By embracing stillness and reflection, the poet suggests that we may gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us.

If people take a moment of silence, they may gain insight into the purpose of their lives. Just as nature undergoes rebirth with changing seasons, stillness can bring about a rebirth for the human soul and imbue our lives with new meaning. The poet once again counts to twelve and invites everyone to remain silent until his departure.

Detailed Explanation of Each Stanza

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.

The first stanza of the poem "Keeping Quiet" by Pablo Neruda sets the stage for the poet's call to stillness and reflection. The stanza begins with an invitation to count to twelve, which may represent the hours on a clock or the signs of the zodiac. By counting to twelve and keeping still, the poet suggests that we can take a moment to pause and reflect.

The stanza goes on to suggest that this moment of stillness is a rare occurrence on Earth. The poet invites us to refrain from speaking in any language, highlighting the idea that language can create barriers between people. The stanza ends with a call to physical stillness as well, asking us to stop moving our arms so much. This emphasis on physical stillness reinforces the idea that the moment of quiet is a time for contemplation and reflection.

Stanza 2:

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 second stanza of "Keeping Quiet" by Pablo Neruda explores the potential impact of the stillness and quiet that the poet calls for in the first stanza. The stanza begins with the idea that this moment of stillness would be "exotic" - that is, unusual and striking. It would be a moment without the usual rush and noise of everyday life, a moment without the roar of engines that often fill our ears.

The stanza then goes on to describe how this moment of stillness could bring people together in a "sudden strangeness." By refraining from speaking, people could shed the labels and divisions that language creates and find a new sense of connection with one another.

The stanza ends with specific examples of how this moment of stillness could impact people's actions. The fishermen in the cold sea would not harm whales, suggesting a newfound sense of respect and consideration for other beings. Similarly, the man gathering salt would be more aware of his hurt hands, perhaps indicating a new sense of empathy for his own body and for others who suffer.

Stanza 3:

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 third stanza of "Keeping Quiet" by Pablo Neruda highlights the potential impact of stillness and quiet on those who engage in violence and destruction. The stanza begins by describing those who "prepare green wars" and pursue "victory with no survivors," referring to the wars that harm not just humans but also the environment.

The poet imagines that in this moment of stillness, even those who engage in such violence would put on clean clothes and walk with their "brothers," suggesting a newfound sense of unity and brotherhood. This moment of stillness would allow people to pause and reflect on the consequences of their actions, and the damage they have caused to the environment and to other human beings.

However, the poet clarifies that he is not advocating for total inactivity or passivity. He emphasizes that life is what it is about, and he wants to distance himself from death and destruction. The moment of stillness is not meant to be a permanent state of inactivity, but rather a moment of reflection and contemplation that can lead to positive change in how people interact with one another and the world around them.

Stanza 4:

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.

The fourth stanza suggests that people are often so focused on constantly moving forward and achieving their goals that they forget to stop and reflect on their actions and the consequences that result from them. The poet believes that taking a moment of silence, interrupting the constant rush, and pondering upon one's actions can help to interrupt the sadness of not understanding ourselves and the fear of death that often haunts us. In other words, the poet is suggesting that taking a moment to pause and reflect can help us gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and our lives, leading to a more meaningful and fulfilling existence.

Stanza 5:

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 fifth stanza suggests that nature and the Earth itself can teach us important lessons about life. The poet points out that sometimes things may seem dead or lifeless, but with time, they can spring back to life, just like the changing seasons. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for how we too can experience periods of darkness and struggle, but with time, we can find hope and renewal.

The poet then returns to the idea of counting to twelve, suggesting that this moment of quiet reflection and contemplation can be a powerful experience. He once again asks his audience to remain quiet and still while he counts to twelve, before departing. This final stanza implies that the experience of silence and reflection can be transformative, and that we should take time to embrace it.

Question from Textbook Solved

What will counting upto twelve and keeping still help us achieve?

ANSWER:
Counting up to twelve and keeping still, as described in the poem, is a metaphor for taking a moment of stillness and silence to reflect on our lives and actions. The poet suggests that this act of reflection and contemplation can help us achieve a deeper understanding of ourselves and our place in the world. It can also help us to overcome the fear of death and to celebrate our achievements. The poem implies that this moment of quiet reflection can be transformative, allowing us to find a new perspective on life and helping us to connect with each other and the natural world in a deeper way.
Do you think the poet advocates total inactivity and death?

ANSWER:
No, the poet does not advocate for total inactivity or death. In fact, he specifically clarifies in the third stanza that what he wants should not be confused with total inactivity. He wants people to take a moment to pause and reflect, but not to stop living their lives altogether. The poet also expresses a desire for life and promoting universal brotherhood and peace, and he expresses a desire to avoid the destruction and death that come with war. The poem advocates for taking a moment of stillness and reflection, but it does not suggest that we should give up on life or become inactive.
What is the ‘sadness’ that the poet refers to in the poem? [All India 2014]

ANSWER:
The "sadness" that the poet refers to in the poem is the human tendency to constantly stay busy, to keep moving and to not take a moment to reflect on the consequences of our actions. The poet believes that this lack of introspection and self-understanding can lead to a sense of sadness and a fear of death. By urging people to remain quiet and still for a moment, the poet hopes to interrupt this cycle and allow for a period of reflection and understanding.
What symbol from Nature does the poet invoke to say that there can be life under apparent stillness?

ANSWER:
The poet invokes the symbol of the Earth to suggest that there can be life under apparent stillness. The line "Perhaps the Earth can teach us as when everything seems dead and later proves to be alive" implies that just as the Earth appears dormant during winter but comes alive in spring, there may be hidden vitality in humanity that can only be uncovered through stillness and introspection.

Thursday, March 2, 2023