G. D. Goenka Public School, Siliguri Class: Xii Subject: English (Prose)
G. D. Goenka Public School, Siliguri Class: Xii Subject: English (Prose)
G. D. Goenka Public School, Siliguri Class: Xii Subject: English (Prose)
KEEPING QUIET
SUMMARY
‘Keeping Quiet’ by Pablo Neruda is a deceptively simple poem about the need for a little bit of
silence and soul-searching which may help us make peace with ourselves and others. It tells us
how a moment of silent introspection will make us realize the utter futility of our restlessness
and the greed and aggressiveness that comes out of it. In a greater context, it could be viewed as
a wish for world peace and need for conservation but at an individual level it is important that
we all achieve that desired state of peace so that we may not only understand ourselves but find
the time to rejuvenate and repair ourselves.
Neruda wishes that people indulged less in activities that are reactionary, disruptive to ourselves
and the world at large. He however doesn’t advocate inactivity, but advises that we let go of this
need to move just for the sake of movement and encourages introspection.
Finally the poet tells us to take a lesson from the rhythms of the earth, that appears to be inactive
during a period of dormancy in winter but reawakens to a new life in spring. This period of
quietude is what affords the earth time to rest and recuperate and approach life with new strength
and vigour.
1. Which is the exotic moment that the poet refers to in ‘Keeping Quiet’?
The poet refers to the moment of stillness and quietness as an exotic moment. It would be an
exotic moment, as such a tranquility will initiate peace and brotherhood. There would be no
movement, no talk, no activity and consequently, no violence.
2. What is the sadness that the poet refers to in the poem ‘Keeping Quiet’?
Answer. The poet refers to the sadness which surrounds man due to not having any time for
himself, the pain of not understanding what he or his fellow human beings want. He has no time
for introspection; as a result, he is unable to analyse his own actions and understand its
consequences.
3. Which images in the poem ‘Keeping Quiet’ show that the poet condemns violence?
The images of fishermen not harming the whales in the sea and wars leaving behind no survivors
to celebrate the victory show that the poet condemns violence and advocates pacifism. The poet
wants the warmongers to change their blood-stained clothes to clean ones. The poet’s refusal to
have any association or dealing with death also shows that he is not in favour of any form of
violence.
4. Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow:
HOME-ASSIGNMENT
4. According to the poet, what is it that human beings can learn from nature?
6. Identify and explain the figure of speech in: put on clean clothes and walk about with their
brothers in the shade?
7. Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow:
INSTRUCTIONS:
Copy the summary and questions and answers from Q1 to 4 in your notebook.
Assignments must be done in the notebook and pictures / pdf of the same
uploaded to Assignments in MS TEAMS by 08.08.2020 (Saturday). Alternately, the
notes will also be available in the school ERP which may be accessed using
personal login id.