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.
MORE QUESTIONS SOLVED
Why does Pablo Neruda urge us to keep still?
ANSWER:
Pablo Neruda urges us to keep still because he believes that in our busy lives, we often forget to stop and reflect on our actions and their consequences. By keeping still and being silent, we can interrupt the constant movement and noise of our lives and take a moment to contemplate our existence. Neruda suggests that this pause can be a transformative experience that helps us understand ourselves better and brings us closer to nature and other people.Why shouldn’t we “speak in any language” and “not move our arms so much”?
ANSWER(short):
Pablo Neruda suggests not speaking in any language and not moving our arms so much to break down the barriers between people that are created by language and physical movement.
ANSWER(long):
Pablo Neruda urges us to keep still and not speak in any language in order to break down the barriers that language can create between people. In our everyday lives, we are constantly speaking and communicating with others in various languages, whether it is through verbal or written means. However, this constant chatter can often lead to misunderstandings and even conflict, as our different languages and ways of communicating can create walls between us.
Additionally, by not moving our arms so much and remaining physically still, Neruda suggests that we can experience a moment of peacefulness and reflection. We often lead busy lives, rushing from one task to another, and this constant motion can leave us feeling disconnected from ourselves and others. By taking a moment to be still and quiet, we can reconnect with our inner selves and gain a sense of clarity and peace.
Furthermore, Neruda argues that this moment of stillness and quiet can have a transformative effect on the world around us. He suggests that during this period of inactivity, we can begin to contemplate our actions and consider the impact they have on the world. This reflection can lead to a greater sense of compassion and empathy, which can in turn lead to a more peaceful and just society.
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?
ANSWER:
According to Pablo Neruda, we can experience a moment of sudden strangeness when we stop speaking and moving for a while. This is because our daily lives are so filled with constant movement and communication that a moment of stillness and silence would be a completely new and foreign experience. It would be an exotic moment because it would be a break from our usual routines, allowing us to see the world and each other in a new light.
Moreover, when we stop speaking and moving, we would all be united in this experience of stillness and silence. This sense of togetherness in a completely new and unexpected situation would also add to the feeling of exoticism.
In addition, the sudden strangeness would also bring about a new sense of awareness and reflection. By stopping our usual busyness and communication, we would have the opportunity to think more deeply about ourselves, our actions, and our place in the world. We could gain new insights and perspectives on life that we may not have had before.What does the poet ask the fisherman and the man collecting salt to dot What does he exactly want to convey by this?
ANSWER:
In the poem "Keeping Quiet," the poet Pablo Neruda asks the fishermen in the cold sea to not harm the whales and the man gathering salt to look at his hurt hands. The poet wants them to take a moment of stillness and reflect on their actions, to pause and appreciate the world around them without causing harm or distraction.
Neruda wants to convey that we are often so caught up in our daily lives, rushing to achieve our goals, that we forget to stop and appreciate the world and the people around us. The moment of stillness is an opportunity to reflect on our actions and to change them if necessary. The poet is advocating for a greater sense of mindfulness and awareness in our daily lives.What are the different kinds of war mentioned towards war?
ANSWER:
In the poem "Keeping Quiet," Pablo Neruda mentions three different kinds of wars:
1. "Green wars" which may refer to wars fought over land, territory or resources.
2. "Wars with gas, wars with fire" which may refer to chemical and nuclear warfare.
3. "Victory with no survivors" which may refer to wars fought with the intention of completely annihilating the enemy, leaving no one alive.
The poet suggests that if people were to stop and keep quiet for a moment, even those who are preparing for these kinds of wars would pause and join with their enemies in unity, simply enjoying the moment of stillness and peace.What alternative does Pablo Neruda suggest instead of indulging in wars?
ANSWER:
Instead of indulging in wars, Pablo Neruda suggests the alternative of universal brotherhood and peace. He wants people to pause and reflect on their actions, celebrate their achievements, and overcome their fear of death. He believes that this moment of stillness and silence can help people realize the purpose of their lives and give a new meaning to life. He advocates for a world where people work towards their goals without causing harm to others and unite with their "enemies" in solidarity rather than fighting against them.How does the poet distinguish ‘stillness’ from ‘total inactivity’? Why does Neruda saw I want no truck with death?
ANSWER:
In the poem "Keeping Quiet," Pablo Neruda distinguishes 'stillness' from 'total inactivity' by suggesting that being still and silent can lead to a profound awareness of ourselves and the world around us. In other words, it is a deliberate and conscious choice to pause and reflect, rather than a state of lethargy or disengagement.
The poet says "What I want should not be confused with total inactivity. Life is what it is about; I want no truck with death." Here, Neruda is emphasizing the importance of being alive, engaged and active in the world. He is not advocating for a state of death or inactivity, but rather encouraging us to pause and reflect before continuing with our lives.
Neruda believes that through the act of stillness, we can gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us, and perhaps even cultivate a sense of empathy and connection with others. This is why he urges us to "keep still," to take a momentary break from the rush and chaos of our lives, and to experience a sense of peace and unity with our surroundings.Why does the poet fee! that we should not be so single-minded’?
ANSWER:
The poet, Pablo Neruda, feels that we should not be so single-minded because it prevents us from experiencing and understanding the world around us. By constantly being in a rush and focused on keeping our lives moving, we fail to take a moment to pause and reflect. This leads to a sense of sadness and a lack of understanding of ourselves and our place in the world. The poet suggests that by taking a moment to be still and silent, we can interrupt this sadness and gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world.Why do men become sad? How can this sadness be overcome?
ANSWER:
According to Pablo Neruda's poem, men become sad due to their inability to understand themselves and their constant fear of death. This sadness can be overcome by taking a moment to be still and quiet, to interrupt the constant rush and movement of our lives. By doing so, we can gain a new perspective and perhaps come to understand ourselves better. Additionally, Neruda suggests that by embracing this stillness and interrupting our usual routines, we can learn from nature and discover the beauty and life that can be found under apparent stillness.How might a huge silence interrupt the sadness of men?
ANSWER:
According to the poet, men are often consumed by the rush of daily life, which makes them "single-minded" and distracted. This can lead to a sense of sadness, as they never take the time to truly understand themselves and their purpose in life. The poet suggests that a moment of "huge silence" - perhaps by counting to twelve and keeping still - could interrupt this pattern and allow people to reflect and gain a new perspective. By being still and silent, people can let go of the distractions and demands of daily life and focus on the present moment, which can bring a sense of peace and clarity. In this way, the silence can help to break the cycle of sadness and bring about a new understanding of oneself and the world.Under the apparent stillness there is life. Justify this statement giving an example from the poem ‘Keeping Quiet’.
ANSWER:
In the poem ‘Keeping Quiet’, Pablo Neruda suggests that under the apparent stillness, there is life. He uses the example of the Earth to convey this message. The Earth seems dead during winter when everything is covered in snow and the trees are bare. However, in the spring, everything comes back to life. The snow melts, flowers bloom, and the trees grow new leaves. This cycle of apparent stillness followed by new life demonstrates that there is always something happening beneath the surface, even when it appears that everything is still and lifeless. Similarly, by keeping still and quiet, we can tap into the energy and vitality that is always present within us, but often goes unnoticed due to our busy and hectic lives.Justify the title ‘Keeping Quiet’.
ANSWER:
The title "Keeping Quiet" is justified as the main theme of the poem revolves around the act of keeping still and silent. The poet urges the readers to pause and reflect, to be still and not speak for a moment, to find inner peace and connect with the world around us. The act of keeping quiet is seen as a way to break free from the chaos and noise of modern life, to take a moment of stillness and connect with our own thoughts and feelings. The poem emphasizes the importance of taking a break from the constant activity and movement, to find a sense of calm and clarity. Hence, the title "Keeping Quiet" is an apt representation of the central idea of the poem.Which is the exotic moment that the poet refers to in ‘Keeping Quiet’:[Delhi 201]
ANSWER:
The exotic moment referred to in the poem 'Keeping Quiet' is the moment when people count to twelve and keep still for a brief period, without speaking or moving their arms. This moment of stillness and silence is exotic because it is something that people do not often experience in their daily lives, especially in a world that is so full of noise, activity, and busyness. During this moment, people can connect with each other and with nature, and they can experience a sense of unity and peace.
