Introduction
The poem Keeping Quiet by Pablo Neruda emphasizes the importance of peace and silence everywhere. It mainly focuses on maintaining tranquility in our environment as he is bothered about harming animals, the bitterness amongst the humans or man made wars. He has tried to portray his subdued expression of peace by inciting some beautiful examples in the entire poem.
Summary of the Poem
The poem have highlighted a very important and major issue surrounding us and it’s about silence and peace. The poet wanted everyone to wait till the clock ticks 12 in the clock and after that all will go fo silence for some time for self contemplation. As we have stopped bothering about brotherhood, maintain peace and harmony amongst the animals and we have turned into selfish giants.
Keeping peace
At the beginning there will be a feeling of little weirdness as everything will come to a halt for while. There will be no buzzing and annoying sounds of the engines, no one will be speaking in different languages and be quiet for a moment. But this calmness and silence can bring us together and can connect us to one common place which the poet has tried to mention as an exotic moment. The exotic moment is none other than the happiness that everyone will feel after this silence.
The middle of the poem clarifies that how there will b no activity in the sea as it will turn totally cold due to this silence and fishermen will not be able to harm aquatic animals like W Hales any more. The people involved in collecting salt from the sea will not be hurting their hands anymore for this stillness posed in the poet’s mind.
At the end the poet has described beautifully the essence of brotherhood and together ness by mentioning that there will be no green wars by using gases and hence the men doing that will be freed of this wrongdoing and rather will it on clean clothes. By this they will survive happily with their brothers and a state of tranquility and calmness will be be prevailing everywhere around the World.
Conclusion
“Keeping Quiet” points out the significance of peace and silence and that these can bring about happiness amongst everyone. The poet has cited quite a few examples like no harming of animals or no green wars can prevail the essence of brotherhood and companionship amongst all men in the World. He even tried to stop the annoying engine noises so that everywhere it can be calm and men can think about togetherness.
About the poet
Pablo Neruda (1904–1973) was a noteworthy Chilean poet and a true politician who used a pen name besides using his real name. He received the Nobel Prize for Literature in the year 1971.His writings are uncomplicated and reader friendly. The essence of this poem, which was originally written in Spanish, is mainly focused on introversion about peace and silence.
Textbook Question and Answers
1. What can Humans learn from this poem about nature?
Ans: Our Mother Earth can teach a lot of examples that will help us restore humanity and peace aeverywhere.Humans should learn how to maintain brotherhood and calmness everywhere by not harming animals or humans and not conducting wars.
2. What is the literal meaning of ‘total inactivity’?
Ans:-Pablo Neruda meant by saying total inactivity that inactivity in the sea can make it cold and as a result there will be no harm caused to the aquatic animals like Whales and no men can collect from the sea any more.
3. Why does the poet seem sad in the poem?
Ans:-The sadness of the poet mainly revolves around the inhuman that is prevailing everywhere amongst the humans.They have forgotten about brotherhood and have become selfish and thinks and care about themselves rather than helping others.They will rather harm others for their own peace.
4. Why do you think that the poet has used the word “Total Inactivity”?
Ans:-Pablo Neruda wanted to promote humanity and peacefulness as they have forgot about the mankind and go on to be selfish .So he wants that one day if everything comes to stillness, rather in the form of inactivity for a few moments happiness can be spread amongst the entire World.
Extra Question Answers
1.Do you feel that there is a glimpse of sadness in the poem?
Ans:-Yes, the poem signifies sadness as the poet is really worried about the present situation of mankind. According to the poet man has forgotten about brotherhood and has become selfish and thinks and cares about himself rather than helping others.They will rather harm others for their own peace.
2.What does “green war” signify?
Ans:-Green wars signify no use of gases and fires in the wars,which also signifies a clarion call to the entire humanity about their harmful and selfish nature due to which they have forgotten about the essence of brotherhood. They are busy themselves to create wars and spread brutalism everywhere.
3. What is the meaning of exotic moment in the poem?
Ans:-Pablo Neruda longed for exotic moment when the entire mankind will be free from selfishness, brutality and inhuman actions. Unnecessary rush and noise have caused unpleasantness and troubles. The poet wishes the annoying noise of engines and machines should come to an end and then only tranquility might prevail.
4. How will stopping for a second can help mankind ?
Ans:-According to Pablo Neruda, if we stop for second there will be little strange ness for while but there will be no buzzing and annoying sounds of the engines,no one will be speaking in different languages and be quiet for a moment.But this calmness and silence can bring us together and can connect us to one common place which the poet has tried to mention as an exotic moment.