Class 12 : English (core) Compulsory – Lesson 10.Keeping Quiet

EXPLANATION & SUMMARY

🌟 Introduction to the Poem
“Keeping Quiet” by Pablo Neruda is a reflective, philosophical poem that advocates the importance of stillness, introspection, and unity among human beings. It suggests that by pausing our restless activity, we can better understand ourselves and live in harmony with the world.
📚 About the Poet
Pablo Neruda (1904–1973) was a Chilean poet, diplomat, and Nobel Laureate in Literature. Known for his passionate and socially conscious works, Neruda often wrote about love, humanity, politics, and the natural world.
💡 Call for Silence and Stillness
The poet proposes that we all pause for twelve seconds — not speaking, not moving — to reflect and create a moment of shared peace. This temporary silence is not an act of idleness or death, but of awareness and renewal.
🤝 Universal Togetherness
During this pause, differences among people would momentarily dissolve. Fishermen, farmers, labourers, and even those engaged in conflict would stop their work and reconsider their actions. Neruda imagines soldiers cleaning their weapons to also pause and reflect on the futility of war.
🌱 Not a Symbol of Death
Neruda clarifies that his idea of keeping quiet is not about complete inactivity or an escape from life. Rather, it is about taking a step back from constant busyness to renew our relationship with ourselves and the world.
🧠 Introspection and Transformation
By engaging in such moments of stillness, we can break free from the cycle of destruction — both environmental and human — and redirect our energy toward constructive purposes.
🏞 Connection to Nature
Neruda draws attention to the cycles of the Earth, implying that humanity can learn from nature’s calm and balance. Stillness allows for healing, just as the Earth heals itself in moments of rest.
🕊 Message of Peace
The poem promotes non-violence, environmental care, and mutual respect. It suggests that silence can unite us and lead to personal and collective transformation.

💠 Summary
In “Keeping Quiet”, Pablo Neruda urges all people to pause their activities for a short time and embrace silence. This pause, he explains, will help us introspect, let go of destructive habits, and foster unity. It is not about inactivity or death, but about giving ourselves space to reflect and renew. By connecting with nature and each other in stillness, we can create a more peaceful and understanding world.

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PASSAGE

“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.”
💠 (Short Answer – 30 words)
What does the poet suggest will happen if we pause our constant activity?
Answer: A deep silence will allow self-reflection, ending the sadness caused by lack of self-understanding and our tendency toward self-destructive actions.
💠 (Multiple Choice)
According to the poet, what is the main cause of human sadness?
A. Lack of ambition
B. Never understanding ourselves
C. Excessive enjoyment
D. Avoiding silence
Answer: B. Never understanding ourselves
💠 (Fill in the blank)
The poet criticises humanity for being too __ about keeping life moving.
Answer: single-minded
💠 (Fill in the blank)
The huge silence described by the poet could interrupt our habit of __ ourselves with death.
Answer: threatening
💠 (Assertion and Reason)
Assertion (A): The poet wants people to stop all activity permanently.
Reason (R): He believes permanent stillness is the same as death.
A. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
B. Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
C. A is false, but R is true.
D. Both A and R are false.
Answer: C. A is false, but R is true.
💠 (Short Answer – 30 words)
How does the poet differentiate his idea of silence from death?
Answer: He sees silence as a brief, conscious pause for reflection and renewal, unlike death, which is permanent and devoid of awareness or growth.

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OTHER IMPORTANT QUESTIONS FOR EXAMS

🔴 Q1. Who is the poet of ‘Keeping Quiet’?
🔵 Answer: Pablo Neruda, the Nobel Prize-winning poet from Chile.

🔴 Q2. How long does the poet suggest we keep still?
🔵 Answer: For about twelve seconds.

🔴 Q3. What is the purpose of keeping quiet according to the poet?
🔵 Answer: To introspect, understand ourselves better, and promote peace and unity.

🔴 Q4. What should fishermen do during this moment of stillness?
🔵 Answer: Stop harming whales and reflect on their actions.

🔴 Q5. How does the poet wish soldiers to use this pause?
🔵 Answer: To stop fighting, clean their weapons, and think about the futility of war.

🔴 Q6. Why does the poet clarify that his idea is not about death?
🔵 Answer: Because he advocates a temporary pause for awareness, not permanent inactivity.

🔴 Q7. What human habit does the poet criticise?
🔵 Answer: Being single-mindedly busy without understanding ourselves.

🔴 Q8. What does the ‘huge silence’ represent in the poem?
🔵 Answer: A peaceful pause that interrupts destructive behaviour and fosters understanding.

🔴 Q9. How does the poet connect his idea to nature?
🔵 Answer: He suggests learning from nature’s calm and balance to live harmoniously.

🔴 Q10. What will happen if we embrace stillness for a moment?
🔵 Answer: We can renew ourselves, break destructive patterns, and live more peacefully.

🔴 Q11. Describe the change in human behaviour that the poet hopes for.
🔵 Answer: From constant activity and destruction to thoughtful, compassionate, and constructive living.

🔴 Q12. How does ‘Keeping Quiet’ promote environmental awareness?
🔵 Answer: By urging people to stop harmful actions like overfishing and environmental exploitation, giving nature time to heal.

🔴 Q13. What is the central message of ‘Keeping Quiet’?
🔵 Answer: A moment of silence and stillness can unite humanity, promote peace, protect nature, and lead to self-realisation.

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ONE PAGE REVISION SHEET

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MIND MAPS

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