Keeping Queit

English
poem-2
Summary of Keeping Quiet
Keeping Quiet is a poem by Pablo Neruda, whose original name is Neftali Ricardo Reyes
Basoalto. He is famous for using a lot of powerful imagery in his poetry. As suggestive
of the name, summary of the poem Keeping Quiet tells us about silent introspection of
our changing environment. The poet not only tries to raise environmental awareness but
also inspires the readers to participate in restoring peace to the world. Along with
imagery, the poet also uses a lot of symbolism that helps readers easily connect to the
ideas presented in the poem.
CBSE Class 12 English Keeping Quiet Summary
The poem begins with the poet urging everyone around to keep quiet. This poem is
about self-introspection, and he believes staying still is the best way to do it. He offers
to count till twelve to allow everyone some space and peace of mind. As discussed in
the introduction, this poem uses a lot of imagery and symbolism. The poet suggests
abstaining from speaking in any language or moving our arms at all. Languages unite
people and are the basis of continuous growth in any aspect of life – culture, education,
industrialisation, diplomatic deals, etc. Moving arms symbolise work, which is an
essential part of our lives. We strive to develop ourselves continuously, and the best way
to attain success is through work. The poet asks us to stop all these for some time.
The after-effects of this phenomenon are visualised by the poet to be very serene and
thought-provoking. He calls it an ‘exotic moment’. He makes the reader understand its
intensity through the use of imagery. He predicts a ‘sudden strangeness’ when we all
stop moving and the constant grunt of moving vehicles is paused. He is trying to refer to
a moment of uneasy silence that might seem awkward in the beginning. But there are
good consequences for this silence. It will help us reflect on ourselves and might make
us realise how we are hurting ourselves as well as others. The poet here is trying to
invoke some sense of humanity in his readers so that the earth is saved from the greed
and ruthlessness we resort to in the name of creating civilisations.
He gives examples of how we are ruining everything around us. Fishermen in the sea kill
whales for their personal gains even if the whales have not harmed the fishermen. A
man gathering salt would understand how he is hurting himself if he looked at his injured
hands. The first example shows how innocence is being attacked for personal
advantages. The second example talks about how we ignore our health, happiness and
relationships in pursuit of monetary fame and success. Wars are another destructive
outcome of negativity in humans. The poet cites the types of wars – wars fought with
gas or fire that harm the environment around us do no justice to us or the animals and
other elements of nature around us. These wars have no meaning, according to the poet,
as no one wins. It is humans who are harmed at the end of the day. The poet believes
that keeping quiet will inspire both war-mongers and victims to see the goodness in
each other, and they will discover feelings of brotherhood among themselves once
again.
The poet warns readers not to confuse staying still with complete inactivity. He wants to
clarify that his desire for a quiet world should not mean that we are not supposed to
work or do anything at all. The poet only wants the cruelty, violence and destructive
activities to stop. He wants us to appreciate nature and realise its role and value in our
lives. We take all kinds of precautions to live longer and avoid death. This struggle for
survival makes us unleash destruction and violence. Perhaps a little bit of introspection
and silence could reveal how we understand so little about ourselves and are terrified by
the idea of death.
Finally, he cites the example of nature itself – how the Earth teaches us about rebirth
and regeneration of life. Various phenomena on earth like seasons or cycles of organic
substances begin and end to repeat themselves all over again. Winter seems to freeze
everything but is followed by spring which brings new life and harmony to earth. While
summer symbolises the peak of growth and maturity, autumn comes to shed off all the
old and unnecessary. Life does not stop here. Life is created again. It is a cycle that
never ends, and life and death are part of it. There is no point in struggling or fighting
for immortality. The poet leaves the reader here on a note of silent introspection that
implicitly urges humanity to realise its mistakes and move towards a more humane
future.
Conclusion of Keeping Quiet
Keeping Quiet is a poem that invokes us to reflect on our actions and their
consequences. The poet believes that silence is the way to start this process of
reflection. The poem is an appeal to understand the world, to seek peace and harmony
in the world and to seek brotherhood for the betterment of all. The poem has a powerful
message but conveys it through a very subtle and serene tone. Reading the summary of
the poem Keeping Quiet Class will shed light on how attaining a peaceful state of mind
and body should be our ultimate goal.
Frequently asked Questions on CBSE Class 12 Keeping Quiet
Q1
What is the purpose of keeping quiet?
The purpose behind staying quiet is to think about our actions and purposes in life and
reflect on their consequences on us and others – including mother nature. It is symbolic
of bringing peace and quiet to the world for nurturing a world that does not give in to
greed, suffocation and violence.
Q2
What is the conclusion of the poem ‘Keeping Quiet’?
Keeping Quiet emphasises on the relevance of approaching every action keeping the
well-being of nature in our minds. It is about how humanity and a sense of brotherhood
can put an end to all the destruction and violence around us.
Q3
What does the number twelve symbolise?
Twelve represents the number of hours on a clock and also the number of months in a
calendar. Counting till twelve symbolises inclusivity in thinking – a suggestion by the
poet to take everything into account while thinking about our actions and
consequences.

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English

Summary of Keeping Quiet

CBSE Class 12 English Keeping Quiet Summary

Conclusion of Keeping Quiet

Frequently asked Questions on CBSE Class 12 Keeping Quiet

What is the purpose of keeping quiet?

What is the conclusion of the poem ‘Keeping Quiet’?

What does the number twelve symbolise?

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