NCERT Solutions for Class 12

English
Chapter 3 - Keeping Quiet
Before you read
Solutions of Questions on Page Number:95
Question:
1. What does the title of the poem suggest to you? What do you think the
poem is about?
Ans: Pablo Neruda in his poem “Keeping Quiet” reminds the reader to maintain
inner peace. The title of the poem reflects the poet’s request to everyone not to
speak since language is a cause of barrier between people. In this period of
inactivity, we will regain ourselves and nature will not be harmed further. The
poem also promotes universal brotherhood and admiration for each other. The
fear of death forces everyone to achieve as much as possible in a limited period
of time and hence cripples our ability to enjoy life to the fullest.

Think it out
Solutions of Questions on Page Number:96
Question:
1. What will counting up to twelve and keeping still help us achieve?
Ans: The poet urges the readers to count from one to twelve, each number
signifying the time of the clock or the zodiac signs, and keep still for the moment.
It will be a moment of eternal bliss and serenity as it is something we have never
experienced before. He believes in the mad rush to achieve everything people do
not realize the consequences of their actions. The pause will help us come out of
that and achieve inner peace. It will also help them realize the purpose of the
reason to be born as a human soul and experience the tranquillity of the
discovery.

2. Do you think the poet advocates total inactivity and death?

Ans: The poet asks everyone to stop and contain themselves and experience the
present moment. By this, he did not mean total inactivity and death but a state of
tranquillity. Those who are busy destroying their mental health and nature might
stop and work towards their self-discovery which would benefit everyone.
Keeping quiet will be an initiator for the rebirth of humanity. There will not be

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any war or harm to nature or oneself while everyone will remain calm and count
till twelve.

3. What is the 'sadness' that the poet refers to in the poem?

Ans: As humans, we are completely immersed in the desire to achieve more. We
end up trapping ourselves in a monotonous schedule that drives us away from
ourselves and fails to understand each other. It ruins the universal brotherhood
and peace that we all must have amongst ourselves. The wars end up killing
many and the consequence of lack of this understanding is borne by everyone.
We should try to find peace in the moments we are blessed every day and reclaim
the peace and serenity within us.

4. What symbol from Nature does the poet invoke to say that there can be
life under apparent stillness?
Ans: The poet uses seasons to justify that there can be life under apparent
stillness. With the change in seasons, nature rebirths itself, and similarly when
people remain quiet for a while, they will realize their purpose and undergo a
similar rebirth which might change the course of their lives forever.

Try this out:

Solutions of Questions on Page Number: 97
Question:
Choose a quiet corner and keep still physically and mentally for about five
minutes. Do you feel any change in your state of mind?
Ans: Being quiet and still for a moment is something we as human beings are
not very used to. We are always on the go and try to complete as many tasks as
possible. Staying still and quiet for a moment was awkward and strange for me.
Initially, it was scary, and my body and mind urged me to finish the priorities on
my mind. Gradually as I tried to focus my attention on my breathing, everything
felt a little calmer and the storm inside my head vanished. The moment was
serene, and I felt my anxiety a little under control. I felt I could continue my
work with more enthusiasm now. It is a moment worth experiencing especially
when you feel down or too much crowded in your head.

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