Ch 3 Keeping Quiet 12
Ch 3 Keeping Quiet
Flamingo Poetry English
Word Meaning
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Keeping quiet: Staying silent and still
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Pause: Stop for a moment
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Metre: Rhythm or beat (in poetry or music)
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Still: Not moving
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Tide: Movement of water, symbolizing change
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Gesture: Movement expressing feelings
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Confession: Admitting truth
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Tired: Feeling weary or exhausted
Summary
Keeping Quiet
by Pablo Neruda
In “Keeping Quiet,” Pablo Neruda invites us to take a moment of silence—not just by being quiet, but by completely stopping all actions. He imagines a world where everyone, everywhere, pauses for just a few seconds. He believes this short break could lead to deeper understanding, peace, and connection among all people.
Neruda begins by asking everyone to count to twelve (possibly symbolizing the twelve hours of a clock or twelve months of the year). After counting, he asks for complete stillness—no speaking in any language, and no movement. He wants everyone to stop, be quiet, and be still. This, he says, would be a special moment, because we are so used to constant activity, talking, rushing, and working.
He believes that in this silence, we would feel united—not divided by language, nationality, or work. It would feel strange at first, because the world is never truly quiet. But it would also be peaceful. People who harm nature—like fishermen or those involved in environmental destruction—would stop their harmful actions. Workers would notice their pain, their tired bodies, and perhaps realize how hard they’ve been pushing themselves without rest.
Neruda gives examples of people involved in war—those who use deadly weapons, destroy the environment, or fight for power. He imagines them taking off their dirty “clothes” (a symbol for violence or destruction) and putting on clean ones (a symbol for peace and renewal). Instead of fighting, they would walk peacefully with others, enjoying the shade, doing nothing harmful.
But Neruda makes it clear: he is not asking us to stop living. He says this silence should not be confused with death or total inactivity. Life, he says, is important. What he wants is a break from the busy, thoughtless way we live—a chance to step back, think, and reflect. We are always moving, chasing goals, working endlessly, but we rarely take the time to understand ourselves or others.
He suggests that this constant activity leads to sadness and emptiness, and sometimes even to violence or destruction. If we could just stop for a moment, we might break that pattern.
Toward the end of the poem, he points to nature as an example. During winter, everything seems dead, but it is not. After some time, life comes back again in spring. In the same way, being still or quiet doesn't mean the end. It could be a new beginning.
The poem ends with the poet repeating his invitation to count to twelve and be quiet. Then, he says he will leave quietly, giving us space to reflect on his message.
Main Messages of the Poem
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Silence helps us reflect and understand ourselves.
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Stillness can bring peace and unity.
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Constant activity is not always a good thing—it can be harmful.
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Nature teaches us that rest is not death—it can lead to renewal.
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Peace, not violence, should be the goal.
In Simple Terms:
Pablo Neruda is asking the world to slow down. He wants us to stop fighting, harming nature, and rushing through life without thinking. By being silent and still for just a moment, we can learn more about ourselves, treat each other with kindness, and live in peace. He believes that this quiet moment can bring hope, healing, and a better future for everyone.
Central Idea
The central idea of the poem is that silence and stillness help bring inner peace and global harmony. By keeping quiet and reflecting, people can stop fighting, appreciate life, and connect with others as one human family.
Figures of Speech
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Alliteration: Repetition of consonant sounds
Example: “Keeping quiet and still” (repetition of 'k' and 's' sounds) -
Metaphor: Comparing two things without using “like” or “as”
Example: “Like a tide” (comparing the movement of silence to the movement of the ocean tide) -
Personification: Giving human qualities to non-human things
Example: “Let the earth keep silence” (earth is given the ability to be silent) -
Imagery: Use of vivid language to create pictures in the mind
Example: Descriptions of stopping, breathing, and feeling calm help readers imagine peaceful silence.
Answer:
The title of the poem, Keeping Quiet, suggests the importance of silence, calmness, and stillness in our lives. It hints at taking a pause from our busy and chaotic routines. The poem is likely about self-examination, introspection, and understanding the value of peace. It may also be an appeal for universal harmony, where people momentarily stop their aggressive actions and reflect on their shared humanity.
1. What will counting up to twelve and keeping still help us achieve?
Answer:
Counting up to twelve takes only a short time. Keeping still during this brief moment offers us an opportunity to pause, reflect, and reconsider our actions. The poet suggests that many of the world's problems stem from our constant rush and restlessness. Violence often arises from anger and impulsive actions. A moment of stillness can give us the calm needed to prevent conflict and promote peace.
2. Do you think the poet advocates total inactivity and death?
Answer:
No, the poet does not advocate total inactivity or death. He clearly distinguishes between stillness and complete inaction. Total inactivity implies lifelessness and death, which the poet rejects, stating, "I want no truck with death." Instead, he promotes a temporary pause from our hectic and destructive routines—a stillness that allows for thoughtful introspection and renewal, not the end of life.
3. What is the 'sadness' that the poet refers to in the poem?
Answer:
The 'sadness' refers to humanity's failure to understand itself amidst the chaos of daily life. The poet laments that people are so caught up in their ambition and competition that they neglect self-awareness and deeper human values. This blind pursuit of progress often leads to harm—to ourselves, others, and the planet—resulting in a collective tragedy.
4. 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 convey that stillness does not equate to lifelessness. Though the Earth may seem still, beneath its surface, life continues to grow, renew, and flourish. This suggests that silence and calmness can coexist with vitality and regeneration.
Poem: "Keeping Quiet" by Pablo Neruda
1. Now we will count to twelve
Explanation:
The poet asks everyone to pause and count to twelve—possibly symbolic of a clock (12 hours), suggesting a short period of time for reflection.
2. and we will all keep still.
Explanation:
He suggests universal stillness and silence. This is not just physical stillness but also mental calmness—a break from all activity.
3. For once on the face of the Earth,
Explanation:
The poet emphasizes the rarity of such an event—he imagines a moment of silence and unity across the entire planet.
4. let’s not speak in any language,
Explanation:
Language often separates people. The poet suggests silence as a way to transcend linguistic and cultural barriers.
5. let’s stop for one second,
Explanation:
He calls for just a brief pause—a single second—to reflect and reconnect with ourselves and each other.
6. and not move our arms so much.
Explanation:
This line symbolizes halting all activity—especially violent or harmful actions often associated with movement.
7. It would be an exotic moment
Explanation:
Such silence and peace would be rare and unusual ("exotic"), since the world is constantly in motion and conflict.
8. without rush, without engines;
Explanation:
He imagines a peaceful world with no noise, no machinery, no industrial activity—a moment of pure calm.
9. we would all be together
Explanation:
In this silence, humanity would experience a shared connection, a rare unity that cuts across divisions.
10. in a sudden strangeness.
Explanation:
The quiet would feel strange at first—because we are so used to noise and chaos—but this strangeness could lead to realization and change.
11. Fishermen in the cold sea
Explanation:
He gives an example: fishermen working in harsh conditions, likely harming nature in the process.
12. would not harm whales
Explanation:
In the stillness, even acts that damage the environment—like overfishing—would stop.
13. and the man gathering salt
Explanation:
Another example of hard labour—someone working under tough conditions.
14. would look at his hurt hands.
Explanation:
In the silence, he might become aware of the toll his labour takes—physically and mentally.
15. Those who prepare green wars,
Explanation:
"Green wars" refer to environmental destruction or eco-conflicts, such as deforestation or exploiting natural resources.
16. wars with gas, wars with fire,
Explanation:
This includes all types of violent conflict—chemical, nuclear, or conventional warfare.
17. victory with no survivors,
Explanation:
A haunting image: some victories in war result in so much death that no one truly wins.
18. would put on clean clothes
Explanation:
Symbolically, this means leaving behind violence and destruction—starting fresh with peaceful intent.
19. and walk about with their brothers
Explanation:
Instead of fighting, people would live in harmony, like siblings.
20. in the shade, doing nothing.
Explanation:
This is an image of restful peace, free from stress, violence, or urgency.
21. What I want should not be confused
Explanation:
The poet clarifies that he is not advocating complete inactivity or apathy.
22. with total inactivity.
Explanation:
He distinguishes between peaceful stillness and lifeless stagnation.
23. Life is what it is about;
Explanation:
His ultimate concern is life—true, meaningful, peaceful living—not just mere survival or movement.
24. I want no truck with death.
Explanation:
He rejects any association with violence, war, or death.
25. If we were not so single-minded
Explanation:
He critiques how focused people are on progress or success, often at the cost of everything else.
26. about keeping our lives moving,
Explanation:
Society is obsessed with constant activity—working, rushing, consuming.
27. and for once could do nothing,
Explanation:
The poet urges us to pause from this relentless motion—just once—to reflect and reset.
28. perhaps a huge silence
Explanation:
He imagines that in this quiet, profound understanding might emerge.
29. might interrupt this sadness
Explanation:
The poet suggests that silence and reflection can break the cycle of sadness and emptiness caused by modern life.
30. of never understanding ourselves
Explanation:
We are so busy that we lose touch with ourselves, never stopping to understand our own feelings, motives, or needs.
31. and of threatening ourselves with death.
Explanation:
This refers to the dangers of our actions—violence, environmental harm, war—which threaten our own existence.
32. Perhaps the Earth can teach us
Explanation:
The poet turns to nature for wisdom. The Earth follows a rhythm of life, death, and renewal.
33. as when everything seems dead
Explanation:
During winter, for example, the Earth appears lifeless.
34. and later proves to be alive.
Explanation:
But spring comes, and life returns. So too, silence is not death—it can be the start of renewal.
35. Now I’ll count up to twelve
Explanation:
He returns to his initial call for stillness—a second chance to pause and reflect.
36. and you keep quiet and I will go.
Explanation:
The poet ends his meditation, leaving the responsibility with us—to take action (or inaction) through silence and awareness.
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Poem: “Keeping Quiet” by Pablo Neruda –
1. Now we will count to twelve
Let’s count slowly up to twelve.
2. and we will all keep still.
Then, we’ll all be quiet and stop moving.
3. For once on the face of the Earth,
Just this one time, on Earth,
4. let’s not speak in any language,
Let’s not talk at all—not even in our own languages.
5. let’s stop for one second,
Let’s pause for just one moment,
6. and not move our arms so much.
And let’s not do anything—not even move our hands.
7. It would be an exotic moment
It would feel like a special and unusual moment,
8. without rush, without engines;
With no rushing around, and no sounds of machines.
9. we would all be together
We would all feel connected,
10. in a sudden strangeness.
In a strange but peaceful way.
11. Fishermen in the cold sea
For example, fishermen working in the cold sea
12. would not harm whales
Would stop for a moment and not hurt any whales.
13. and the man gathering salt
And a man working hard to collect salt
14. would look at his hurt hands.
Would stop and notice how tired or injured his hands are.
15. Those who prepare green wars,
People who fight nature or harm the environment,
16. wars with gas, wars with fire,
Or those who use weapons and fire in wars,
17. victory with no survivors,
Even if they “win,” everyone ends up hurt or dead.
18. would put on clean clothes
They would change and become better people.
19. and walk about with their brothers
They would live peacefully with others,
20. in the shade, doing nothing.
Just sitting quietly, enjoying peace.
21. What I want should not be confused
Don’t get me wrong—
22. with total inactivity.
I’m not saying we should stop living completely.
23. Life is what it is about;
Life is still important.
24. I want no truck with death.
I don’t want to support death or violence.
25. If we were not so single-minded
If we weren’t always so focused
26. about keeping our lives moving,
On always being busy or working all the time,
27. and for once could do nothing,
And could stop doing things just for a moment,
28. perhaps a huge silence
Maybe a deep silence
29. might interrupt this sadness
Could break the sadness we feel inside,
30. of never understanding ourselves
Because we never take time to think about who we are,
31. and of threatening ourselves with death.
And we keep doing things that hurt or destroy us.
32. Perhaps the Earth can teach us
Maybe nature can teach us something.
33. as when everything seems dead
Like in winter, when trees and plants look dead,
34. and later proves to be alive.
But they come back to life in spring.
35. Now I’ll count up to twelve
So I’ll count to twelve again,
36. and you keep quiet and I will go.
You stay quiet and think, and I’ll quietly leave.
Pablo Neruda is asking us to pause, be quiet, and reflect. He believes silence can help us stop harming ourselves and the planet. It gives us a chance to understand life better and live in peace with each other.
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