STD XII

KEEPING QUIET

#What is the sadness that the poet refers to in the poem ‘Keeping Quiet’? 
The poet refers to the
sadness which surrounds man due to not having any time for himself, the pain of not
understanding what he or his fellow human beings want. He has no time for introspection; as a
result, he is unable to analyse his own actions and understand its consequences.

#Which images in the poem ‘Keeping Quiet’ show that the poet condemns violence?

The images
of fishermen not harming the whales in the sea and wars leaving behind no survivors to
celebrate the victory show that the poet condemns violence. The poet wants the warmongers to
change their blood-stained clothes to clean ones. The poet’s refusal to have any association or
dealing with death also shows that he is not in favour of any form of violence.

#What are the different kinds of wars mentioned in the poem? What is Neruda’s
attitude towards
these wars?

The poet has written about wars against humanity and nature. Green wars, wars with poisonous
gases and wars with fire are the different kinds of wars mentioned in the poem. Wars do good to
no one. Pablo Neruda feels that such wars may bring victory, but there are no survivors. It
means that there is heavy loss on both sides.

#How can suspension of activities help? 


The poet believes that suspension of activities will allow man to introspect, which can help them
in analysing their own actions, and in solving many of their problems based on caste, religion or
nationality. It will help them develop a new understanding of their surroundings, and thus make
them mend their destructive ways.

#Do you think the poet advocates total inactivity and death?

No, the poet clearly states that his asking for stillness should not be confused with total inactivity
or death. Inactivity leads to stagnation and stagnation results in decay. He perceives life to be a
continuous process, where man’s activities should not lead to destruction of fellow human
beings or nature, but should be channelised in a resourceful way.
He is trying to establish harmony between humans and nature.
Keeping Quiet

Poetic Devices

Alliteration - The repetition of usually initial consonant sounds in two or more

neighbouring words or syllables.

​ Now we will count to twelve

​ and we will all keep still
​ we would all be together
​ in a sudden strangeness
​ would look at his hurt hands
​ wars with gas, wars with fire
​ would put on clean clothes
​ If we were not so single-minded
​ Now I'll count up to twelve

Assonance - The repetition of similar vowel sounds takes place in two or more words in
proximity to each other within a line of poetry or prose.
● Now we will count to twelve
(Prominent sound of 'o' and 'e').
● and not move our arms so much.
(Prominent sound of 'o').

● victory with no survivors,

would put on clean clothes
and walk about with their
brothers

(Prominent sound of 'o').

Antithesis - It is a figure of speech that places two completely contrasting ideas or clauses
next to one another.
● Now we will count to twelve
and we will all keep still.
● as when everything seems dead
and later proves to be alive.

Repetition - Repetition is when a single word or phrase is used multiple times in short
succession to secure emphasis.
● Now we will count to twelve
and we will all keep still.

● without rush, without engines

● wars with gas, wars with fire,
Anaphora - Anaphora is repeating a sequence of words at the beginnings of neighbouring
clauses, thereby lending them emphasis.
● let's not speak in any language,
let's stop for one second,

Pun - A pun is a figure of speech that plays with words that have multiple meanings, or that
plays with words that sound similar but mean different things.
● and not move our arms so much.
(The word 'arms' could mean weapons and could also mean upper limb).

Symbolism - The use of symbols to signify ideas and qualities, by giving them symbolic
meanings that are different from their literal sense.
● Now we will count to twelve
(The number twelve symbolises twelve hours of the day or twelve months of the year).
● Fishermen in the cold sea
would not harm whales
(Fishermen and whales represent the oppressor and the oppressed respectively).
● Those who prepare green wars,
wars with gas, wars with fire,
(Green wars symbolise the environmental deterioration caused by human activities, wars
with gas refer to the increasing pollution and wars with fire represent different wars
which employ the use of nuclear weapons and explosives that cause massive destruction).
● and walk about with their
brothers
('Brothers' symbolises universal brotherhood and unity).

Transferred epithet - Transferred epithet is when an adjective usually used to describe one
thing is transferred to another. An epithet is a word or phrase which describes the main
quality of someone or something.
● Fishermen in the cold sea
(It's the fishermen who are so cold that they do not feel any emotions while harming the
whales).

Metaphor - A metaphor is a comparison between two things that states one thing is
another in order to help explain an idea or show hidden similarities.
● would put on clean clothes
(Clean clothes are compared to a new perspective or outlook).
● in the shade, doing nothing.
(The shade here refers to protection).
Personification - It is a poetic device where animals, plants or even inanimate objects, are
given human qualities.

● Perhaps the Earth can teach us

Imagery - The use of figurative language to evoke a sensory experience or create a picture
with words for a reader.

Fishermen in the cold sea

would not harm whales
and the man gathering salt
would look at his hurt hands.

Enjambment - Enjambment is when a line of poetry carries its idea or thought over to the
next line without a grammatical pause.

Whole poem is in enjambment.