Keeping Quiet Poetic Devices, Summary, Questions and Answers

Keeping Quiet Poetic Devices

Lines 1-10

1. For once- on this occasion only
2. so much- very much
3. exotic- attractive because unusual
4. rush- great activity or hurry
5. engines- machines

Lines 11-20

1. green wars- fresh or new wars
2. survivors- those who continue to live even after some danger

Lines 21-31

1. confused- misunderstood
2. Life is what it is about- What I say is concerned with life, not with death
3. no truck with- no connection with
4. single-minded- determine having an aim or purpose
5. sadness- unhappy situation

Lines 32-36

1. The earth can teach us- we can learn from what the earth does to itself
2. When everything seems dead- winter everything withers and dies
3. later proves to be alive- in spring when everything again comes alive

Keeping Quiet Summary class 12 CBSE

In this poem, the poet brings out the importance of quiet introspection. It can transform not only the life of an individual but also the face of the earth. The poet says that it does not need much time to look within and examine oneself. It will take only as long as it will take to count to twelve. During this time of introspection, one should keep still and say nothing at all. It will give him a strange feeling of togetherness with all others. He will come out of all kinds of selfishness and cruelty. Thus a man will win peace not for himself, but also for all the world. There will be no wars and all men will live like brothers.

The poet says that his advocacy of quietness and stillness should not be confused with total inactivity in fact what he says is concerned with life, not with death. Activity is the very essence of life. Inactivity is death. But for a fresh, better and useful activity, a little stillness and silence are a must. The poet illustrates his poet by giving the example of the earth.

In winter the earth becomes so still and silent that it seems to be dead. But later in Spring, it is proved that it is alive, not dead. It has new beauties and color does to it. Similarly, after a little stillness and silence, man can resume his activities

Keeping Quiet Questions and Answers

How long does the poet want us to stay still?

Ans: The poet wants us to stay still for the time it would take to count to twelve.

Q1. What will counting up to twelve and keeping still help us to achieve?

Ans: What the poet means to say is that we should stop all our activities for a few moments and do quiet introspection. It will help us to start our activities afresh in a better and more purposeful manner.

Q2. Do you think the poet advocates total inactivity and death?

Ans: No, the poet doesn't say this at all. Whatever he says is connected with life and activities that can be made better. He only says that we should stop our activities for a few moments and have quiet introspection. It will help us to restart our activities in a better and more purposeful manner.

Q3 What is the 'sadness' that the poet refers to in the poem?

Ans: It is the sadness of never understanding ourselves. those who remain all the time busy in worldly activities for a few moments and do some quiet introspection.

Q4 How is the earth a source of life when all seems dead on it?

Ans: The poet uses the symbol of the earth. He says that in winter the earth seems to be dead but later in spring it is proved that it is alive, not dead it has new colors and beauties added to it thus the poet proves that there can be life under apparent stillness.

Q5 What idea does Pablo Neruda want to convey in his poem?

Ans: The poet wants to say that we should stop our worldly activities for a few moments and do some quiet introspection. It will help us to understand ourselves. Then we can start our activities afresh in a better and more purposeful mannner.

Q6 What does the poet want all of us to do?

Ans: The poet wants us to stop all our activities for a few moments only for as long as it will take to count to twlev. We should keep still and not move even our arms. We should remain silent and not say anything while we are sitting still.

Q7 What does the poet mean when he says now we will count to twelve and we will all keep still

 Ans: The poet means to say that we should stop all our activities for moments We should sit still and keep quiet. We should not move even our arms and say no word. It will help us to do a little introspection and understood ourselves.

Q8 What is an exotic moment the poet Pablo Neruda wishes for?

Ans: The poet calls the moment of quiet introspection an exotic moment he calls it exotic because it will give us a very unusual feeling we shall feel as one with all others we will come out of all our greed selfishness and cruelty.

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