You start dying slowly

By: Martha Medeiros/ Pablo Neruda(Translation)

Q.1 What is the central theme of the poem?

Q.2 Identify the refrain in the poem and why is it important?

Q.3 What is the significance of the rhyme scheme of the poem?

Ans 1.

The central idea of the poem is how you should lead your life. To truly live and experience life, you must
follow your passions. You must travel, read, dress well or whatever your heart desires. Most
importantly, you must not avoid feeling emotions and do things that allow your heart to beat fast or
emotions that make your eyes glisten. You should be reckless and beat every single obstacle that comes
your way.

Ans 2

The refrain in the poem is the phrase, “You start dying slowly”. The phrase emphasizes on the
metaphorical decaying of a human soul that is indulged in ignorance and neglects all the amazing
possibilities and opportunities around us.

Ans 3.

This poem uses the free-verse rhyme scheme and showcases how one should lead their life beautifully.
There is use of metaphors and persuades the readers to live their life, experience new things and chase
their dreams.