KEEPING QUIET English class 12 NCERT Summary and Question answers

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KEEPING QUIET English class 12 NCERT Summary and Question answers

Summary

“Keeping Quiet” is a poem by Pablo Neruda that was included in his collection “Residence on Earth.” The poem is about the importance of silence and contemplation in a world that is often loud and chaotic.

The poem begins with the speaker urging the reader to “keep quiet” and to “find out what you really are.” The speaker suggests that in the silence, one can discover their true identity and purpose. The speaker then goes on to describe the noise and chaos of the world, saying that people are constantly talking and making noise, but they are not really saying anything of value.

The speaker compares the noise of the world to a “great storm,” saying that it is like a “thunderbolt that splits trees.” The speaker then describes how the noise of the world can be overwhelming and can drown out the voice of the individual. In contrast, the speaker suggests that silence can be a powerful force that allows people to connect with each other and with the world around them.

The poem concludes with the speaker urging the reader to “say nothing,” and to “sit down” and listen to the world around them. The speaker suggests that in the silence, one can find peace and understanding, and can connect with the world in a deeper and more meaningful way.

Neruda uses vivid imagery and metaphors to convey the message of the importance of silence and contemplation. The speaker compares the noise of the world to a “great storm,” and suggests that it is like a “thunderbolt that splits trees.” This metaphor highlights the destructive power of noise and how it can overwhelm and divide people.

The speaker also uses the image of “sitting down” to symbolize the act of taking a break from the noise and chaos of the world and finding peace in the silence. This image suggests that silence can be a place of rest and contemplation, where one can find clarity and understanding.

Throughout the poem, the speaker uses the imperative form “keep quiet” and “say nothing” to emphasize the importance of silence. These commands also suggest that the speaker is urging the reader to take a break from the noise and chaos of the world and to listen to their own inner voice.

Overall, “Keeping Quiet” is a powerful reminder of the importance of silence and contemplation in a world that is often loud and chaotic. The poem encourages readers to take a break from the noise and to find peace and understanding in the silence.

Keeping Quiet Imp Questions and Answers

What will counting upto twelve and keeping still help us achieve?

In the poem “Keeping Quiet,” Neruda suggests that counting upto twelve and keeping still can help us achieve a state of inner peace and contemplation. The speaker urges the reader to “count up to twelve” and to “keep still” as a way of calming the mind and finding clarity. By counting upto twelve and keeping still, the speaker suggests that one can find a sense of focus and concentration that allows them to connect with their own inner voice and to find meaning and purpose in the world around them. The act of counting and remaining still can help to quiet the noise and chaos of the world, allowing the individual to find peace and understanding in the silence.

Ultimately, the speaker suggests that by counting upto twelve and keeping still, one can achieve a state of mindfulness and self-awareness that allows them to connect with their own inner voice and to find meaning and purpose in the world around them.

Do you think the poet advocates total inactivity and death?

It is not accurate to say that the poet Pablo Neruda advocates for total inactivity and death in the poem “Keeping Quiet.” While the poem does encourage the reader to take a break from the noise and chaos of the world and to find peace in the silence, it does not advocate for total inactivity or death. In the poem, the speaker suggests that by counting upto twelve and keeping still, one can achieve a state of inner peace and contemplation. This state of inner peace and contemplation is not necessarily one of total inactivity, but rather a state of mindfulness and self-awareness. The speaker also encourages the reader to “find out what you really are” and to “say nothing,” suggesting that in the silence, one can discover their true identity and purpose. This suggests that the poet is advocating for a more introspective and reflective approach to life, rather than advocating for total inactivity or death.

Overall, while the poem “Keeping Quiet” does encourage the reader to take a break from the noise and chaos of the world and to find peace in the silence, it does not advocate for total inactivity or death. Instead, it suggests that in the silence, one can find meaning and purpose and can connect with the world in a deeper and more authentic way.

What is the ‘sadness’ that the poet refers to in the poem?

In the poem “Keeping Quiet,” the poet Pablo Neruda refers to a sense of “sadness” that seems to pervade the world. The speaker suggests that this sadness is the result of the noise and chaos of the world, and that it is something that can be overcome through silence and contemplation. The speaker describes the noise of the world as a “great storm” that is like a “thunderbolt that splits trees.” This vivid imagery suggests that the noise and chaos of the world can be overwhelming and destructive, and can create a sense of sadness and despair. However, the speaker suggests that this sadness can be overcome through the power of silence and contemplation. The speaker urges the reader to “keep quiet” and to “say nothing,” and to “sit down” and listen to the world around them. The speaker suggests that in the silence, one can find peace and understanding, and can connect with the world in a deeper and more meaningful way.

Overall, the “sadness” that the poet refers to in the poem is the sense of despair and overwhelm that can result from the noise and chaos of the world. The poem suggests that this sadness can be overcome through the power of silence and contemplation, and that in the silence, one can find meaning and purpose and can connect with the world in a deeper and more authentic way.

What symbol from Nature does the poet invoke to say that there can be life under apparent stillness?

In the poem “Keeping Quiet,” the poet Pablo Neruda invokes the image of “a tree in the wind” as a symbol of life under apparent stillness. The speaker describes the tree as standing “firm” and “silent,” despite the “storm” that is raging around it. This image of the tree standing firm and silent in the midst of a storm suggests that there can be life and resilience under apparent stillness. The tree is able to withstand the storm and remain rooted in place, even though it is not actively moving or making noise. The speaker uses the image of the tree to suggest that, like the tree, people can find strength and resilience in the silence and can withstand the noise and chaos of the world. The speaker suggests that in the silence, one can find peace and understanding, and can connect with the world in a deeper and more meaningful way.

Overall, the image of the tree in the wind is used by the poet as a symbol of life and resilience under apparent stillness, and as a metaphor for the power of silence and contemplation in the face of the noise and chaos of the world.