On Keeping Quiet

SUMMER VACATION HOMEWORK
SUBMITTED BY- Latasha Haloi

CLASS- XII
ROLL NO.- 27
SUBJECT- English
KEEPING QUIET
- By PABLO NERUDA
About The Poet
 Pablo Neruda (1904 – 1973) was the ‘pen name’ and later, ‘legal name’ of this
famous Chilean poet – diplomat – politician. He won the Noble prize for
literature in the year 1971. He wrote in green ink which was his personal symbol
for desire and hope. His writings are simple, wherein lies their beauty.
Originally written in Spanish, the essence of this poem is based on
introspection and retrospection. The poet feels that some soul – searching is
needed for us to be at peace with ourselves and others.
• First stanza
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 poet urges each one of us to count up to

twelve and then be quiet. He wants a
moment of silence on the earth when no
language is spoken. In this way, there will be
no language barrier between people. No
harsh words will be spoken. In this moment
of silence, the poet does not want anyone to
move their arms. He wants us to remain
motionless.
Stanza 2
It would be an exotic moment
without rush, without engines;
we would all be together
in a sudden strangeness
 The poet feels that such a moment of silence

would be an unusual and exciting one. There
will be no hurry or sound machines to pollute
the atmosphere. It will be a strange and
unfamiliar moment. In this unusual period,
the bonds of humanity will get stronger.
Stanza 3
Fishermen in the cold sea
would not harm whales
and the man gathering salt
would not look at his hurt hands
 In this moment of inactivity the fisherman

would not be catching fish. Hence, the whales
in the sea will be safe. The man who gathers
salt will be able to tend to his wounded hands
for which he had no time earlier. Thus, human
beings will not destroy nature and both nature
and humans will be able to recover from their
wounds.
Stanza 4
Those who prepare green wars,
wars with gas, wars with fire,
victories with no survivors,
would put on clean clothes
and walk about with their brothers
in the shade, doing nothing
 The poet now speaks of those who wage war against

humanity or environment. They create war of all kinds.
He says that such men should stop their activity, shed
their clothes stained with the blood of humanity, put on
new clothes and walk with their brothers, building
brotherhood. The poet implies that the war-torn world
should be replaced by one with an atmosphere of
peace, brotherhood and harmony.
Stanza 5
What I want should not be confused
with total inactivity.
Life is what it is about…
I Want No Truck With Death
 The poet makes a

clarification that though he is
advocating the need for
silence, his advice should not
be confused with total
inactivity. He does not want
any association with death.
He says that life is meant to
be lived.
Stanza 6
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.
 The poet further advices that people should

stop being self-centred and selfish. He says
that this huge silence, which will arise from
such a moment, will only serve to help the
people. It will help them introspect and
overcome their sadness of failing to
understand themselves. This moment of
silence will give them time to understand
themselves better.
Stanza 7
perhaps the earth can teach us
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 poet feels that the Earth can

enlighten us and guide us in the
process of keeping quiet. He wants us
to observe that there is some activity
under apparent stillness. For
example, the huge fruit bearing trees
are ‘born’ from such seeds lying
‘dead’ here and there. At the end, he
wants us to keep quiet while he is
counting to 12, after which he will
leave.
THE END
THANK YOU

On Keeping Quiet

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SUMMER VACATION HOMEWORK

SUBMITTED BY- Latasha Haloi

 The poet urges each one of us to count up to

 The poet feels that such a moment of silence

 In this moment of inactivity the fisherman

 The poet now speaks of those who wage war against

 The poet makes a

 The poet further advices that people should

 The poet feels that the Earth can

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