POET

Pablo Neruda was the pen name of RICARDO ELIECER NEFTALI REYES BASOALTO born in Parral of Chile in 1904 on 12th July. This Chilean poet and politician chose his pen name after Czech poet Jan Neruda.

Neruda wrote in various styles such as love poems as in his collection Twenty Poems of Love and a Song of Despair, surrealist poems, historical epics, and political manifestos. In 1971, Neruda won the Nobel Prize for Literature. Colombian novelist Gabriel García Márquez once called him "the greatest poet of the 20th century in any language." Neruda always wrote in green ink, as it was his personal color of hope. In this poem, the poet talks about the necessity of quiet introspection and creating a feeling of understanding among human beings. This great poet died on 23rd September in 1973.

Keeping Quiet

Pablo Neruda

Now we will count to twelve

and we will all keep still.

for once on the face of the Earth,

let's not speak in any language;

let's stop for one second,

and not move our arms so much.

It would be an exotic moment

without rush, without engines;

we would all be together

in a sudden strangeness.

Fishermen in the cold sea

would not harm whales

and the man gathering salt

would not look at his hurt hands.

Those who prepare green wars,

wars with gas, wars with fire,

victory with no survivors,

would put on clean clothes

and walk about with their 

brothers

in the shade, doing nothing.

What I want should not be 

confused

with total inactivity.

Life is what it is about:

I want no truck with death.

If we were not so single-minded

about keeping our lives moving,

and for once could do nothing,

perhaps a huge silence

might interrupt this sadness

of never understanding ourselves

and of threatening ourselves with

death.

Perhaps the Earth can teach us

as when everything seems dead

And later proves to be alive.

Now I'll count up to twelve

and you keep quiet and I will go.

LINE BY LINE MEANING OF THE POEM

Line-by-Line Explanation of "Keeping Quiet" by Pablo Neruda

Now we will count to twelve and we will all keep still.

• The poet suggests a moment of collective silence and stillness. "Count to twelve" might symbolize the twelve hours of a clock or the twelve months of a year, indicating a complete cycle of time.

  
  

For once on the face of the Earth let’s not speak in any language, let’s stop for one second, and not move our arms so much.

• He urges people to pause their daily activities and avoid communication in any language. The idea is to transcend linguistic and cultural barriers, achieving unity through silence. He also advises limiting physical movement, implying a break from human busyness.

  
  

It would be an exotic moment without rush, without engines, we would all be together in a sudden strangeness.

• This quietness would be unusual ("exotic") since modern life is filled with noise, rush, and machinery. The absence of these distractions would create a rare moment of unity and self-awareness, making people feel a different, unfamiliar connection.

  
  

Fishermen in the cold sea would not harm whales and the man gathering salt would look at his hurt hands.

• In this stillness, people would stop activities that harm nature. Fishermen would refrain from exploiting marine life, and labourers, like a salt gatherer, would become aware of their own suffering, symbolizing self-reflection and compassion.

  
  

Those who prepare green wars, wars with gas, wars with fire, victory with no survivors,

• The poet criticizes different kinds of wars:

  • "Green wars" refer to environmental destruction in the name of progress.

  • "Wars with gas" could mean chemical warfare.

  • "Wars with fire" likely alludes to bombings and gunfire.

  • "Victory with no survivors" suggests that in modern warfare, destruction is so massive that even the victors suffer losses, making victory meaningless.

    
    

Would put on clean clothes and walk about with their brothers in the shade, doing nothing.

• The people who cause destruction would, instead, engage in peaceful activities. "Put on clean clothes" symbolizes a change of heart, a fresh start. Walking "in the shade" suggests rest, peace, and harmony.

  
  

What I want should not be confused with total inactivity.

• The poet clarifies that he does not advocate for laziness or complete stagnation. He supports a meaningful pause, not an abandonment of life.

  
  

Life is what it is about; I want no truck with death.

• He emphasizes that his call for stillness is meant to embrace life, not promote death. "No truck with death" means he does not want to associate with or encourage destruction.

  
  

If we were not so single-minded about keeping our lives moving, and for once could do nothing,

• Humans are often obsessed with constant movement, progress, and productivity. The poet suggests that taking a break from this mindset might help us find deeper meaning.

  
  

Perhaps a huge silence might interrupt this sadness of never understanding ourselves and of threatening ourselves with death.

• Silence could serve as a break from the emotional burden of human existence. People often live without truly understanding themselves and engage in self-destructive behaviours, including war and environmental harm. A pause might help interrupt this cycle of misery.

  
  

Perhaps the Earth can teach us as when everything seems dead and later proves to be alive.

• Nature shows that apparent death is not always the end—trees shed leaves in winter but bloom again in spring. Similarly, moments of stillness and rest can lead to renewal and new growth.

  
  

Now I’ll count up to twelve and you keep quiet and I will go.

• The poet repeats the idea of counting to twelve, reinforcing his plea for silence. "I will go" might suggest his role is only to guide; it is up to us to reflect and act upon his message.

  
  

Conclusion

Pablo Neruda’s poem "Keeping Quiet" is a meditation on the importance of silence, self-reflection, and harmony. He urges humanity to pause from its relentless activity, embrace peace, and rethink its destructive tendencies. His message is not about complete inactivity but about taking a meaningful break to better understand ourselves and our connection with the world.

 Word meanings

1.   face                 surface

2.   exotic               exciting and unusual

3.   rush                   hurry

4.   harm                  kill

5.   green wars         wars against the environment

6.   wars with gas     using harmful gas in wars

7.   wars with fire     using firearms in wars

8.   in the shade         (here) in peace and harmony

9.   confused               misunderstood

10.  inactivity             not doing anything

11.  no truck                no association

12.  single-minded    focused or determined

13.  huge silence      long silence

14.  interrupt            stop or disturb

 Poetic Devices

1. ..we will…              alliteration

2. … face of the earth   synecdoche (part for the whole)

3. …face of the earth personification

4. …not move our arms so much     synecdoche

5. we would…            alliteration

6. … sudden strangeness  sibilance (alliteration)

7. …cold sea                       transferred epithet (not the sea but the fisherman is cold he does not feel bad about killing whale)

8. …cold sea                       metaphor (metaphorically, cold sea signifies the coldness of the fisherman who hardly bothers killing whales)

9. … wars,/wars with gas, wars with fire    repetition

10. … wars with                alliteration

11. victory with no survivors,    hyperbole(exaggeration)

12. … clean clothes           alliteration

13. in the shade                  metaphor

14. … the earth can teach us    the personification

IN-DEPTH STUDY AND UNDERSTANDING OF OF THE POEM

Pablo Neruda encourages us in his poem "Keeping Quiet" to stop for a moment and consider how our actions as individuals affect others around us. The poet recommends that we put aside our differences in language and gather together for a little period of silence, therefore putting a stop to our ever-present activity and frenetic pace. Neruda views this hush as an exceptional and calming experience, one that is distinct from the hurry and bustle that are characteristic of regular life. He thinks that individuals would have an intense bond with one another during this period of quietness, which would result in an abrupt feeling of togetherness and unfamiliarity.

The poet demonstrates the possibility for peace and tranquilly to have a beneficial effect by giving an example. He envisions a world in which fishermen would no longer harass whales and workers, such as those collecting salt, wouldn't be required to put up with the discomfort of their jobs. Those who plan and carry out disastrous wars would alter their ways, dressing themselves in clean clothing and strolling calmly alongside their fellow people rather than seeking bloodshed and domination.

Neruda makes it clear that his wish for silence is not to be construed as an invitation to engage in no action at all. He insists that there is no connection between himself and death and recognises the significance of life itself. On the other hand, he says that our never-ending quest for advancement and self-preservation often results in a lack of self-understanding as well as a persistent dread of our own deaths.

The poet is of the opinion that we may learn significant life lessons from the planet itself if we just sit in solitude and think about them. By resting for a moment and focusing our attention on what is going on around us, we may, like the natural world, unearth previously concealed truths and rediscover a feeling of energy.

The poem's last line consists of Neruda counting up to twelve once again and requesting that the reader remain silent while he goes. The suggestion is that this period of stillness and introspection is not intended to be everlasting but rather to serve as a brief respite for the purpose of engaging in self-reflection and gaining comprehension before proceeding with fresh knowledge.

Theme

In this poem, the poet urges the people of the earth to stop all the activities and remain silent for a few moments. These moments of inactivity will bind us together with the cord of silence, a universal language. The poet talks about the necessity of quiet introspection and creating a sense of mutual understanding among the people of the earth.

Summary

Stanza 1, Keeping Quiet

The poet urges us to keep quiet and count up to twelve.

Stanza 2, Language of silence

He urges that at least once we should not speak any language on the surface of the earth. He pleads with us to stop for a second without any movement.

Stanza 3, Exiting and Unusual moment

He feels that this moment of silence would be extraordinary without any rush or noise and we would be together in a sudden strangeness of silence.

Stanza 4, Harmless world

The fishermen wouldn’t kill the whales in the cold sea and the toiling man gathering salt would have an opportunity to take care of his hurt hand in this moment of silence.

Stanza 5, To the warmongers…

The warmongers should stop destroying mother earth; they must stop using obnoxious gases and firearms. They must stop the wars, which leave no survivors. They should be attired in clean clothes and walk hand in hand with their brothers in the shade of silence doing nothing else.

Stanza 6, No misunderstanding!

The poet does not want us to be confused about momentary stillness and total inactivity! He does not mean death by total inactivity. Life remains to be what we make of it. We need not desperately focus on doing the mindless activity. At least for once, we should do nothing for our own betterment and, perhaps a long silence will save us from annihilation.

Stanza 7, Mother earth, the greatest teacher

The poet reiterates that keeping quiet or stillness does not mean inactivity.  Mother Earth teaches us that though the earth seems to be quiet, it nurtures life.

Stanza 8, Counting up to twelve

Now the poet will once again count up to twelve, all others will remain quiet, and then the poet will go away from there.

Think it out (Question and Answers)

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

Ans. It will help us achieve an exotic moment of silence and stillness. It will create a strong sense of togetherness and brotherhood. It will evoke complete peace and silence. It will also decrease our sadness.

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

Ans. No, I do not think that the poet advocates total inactivity and death. He himself said that we should not misunderstand him. He does not mean death by total inactivity. He advocates ceasing mindless and hostile human activities, which may endanger our own existence.

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

Ans. By sadness, the poet refers to the tragedy of human beings never understanding the impending danger we are facing. Constant mindless manmade activities are threatening our own existence.

4. What symbol from Nature does the poet invoke (appeal) to say that there can be life under apparent stillness?

Ans. The poet strongly appeals to a powerful symbol of mother earth. Apparently, the earth seems inactive but she remains at her work silently, nurturing life for millions of years.

Extra Questions

1.      How does Pablo Neruda emphasize the importance of silence and stillness in the poem "Keeping Quiet"?

2.      What does Neruda mean by the phrase "a sudden strangeness" when describing the collective experience of silence?

3.      How does the poet envision a world without violence and destruction during the moment of silence?

4.      What message is Neruda conveying about the impact of human activities on nature through his references to fishermen and the man gathering salt?

5.      How does the poem challenge our obsession with constant movement and busyness in life?

6.      What does Neruda mean when he says that he wants "no truck with death" and how does it relate to the theme of the poem?

7.      How does the poet suggest that a moment of stillness and introspection can lead to a better understanding of ourselves and our place in the world?

8.      In what ways does Neruda propose that the Earth itself can teach us valuable lessons during periods of apparent lifelessness?

9.      How does the poem encourage us to find a balance between action and stillness in our lives?

10.   What is the significance of the poem's concluding moment of counting to twelve and the departure of the poet?

ANSWERS:

1. A. Pablo Neruda emphasises the value of quiet and stillness in "Keeping Quiet" by describing it as a way to develop oneness and introspection. He contends that we might develop a better awareness of ourselves and a meaningful connection with others by just halting our actions and utterances.

2. The expression "a sudden strangeness" alludes to the unusual sensation that occurs when individuals embrace quiet as a group. It denotes a change from the everyday clamour and commotion of life, resulting in an unexpected environment that may encourage reflection and a feeling of community among people.

3. During the period of quiet, Neruda imagines a future free of violence and devastation by urging people to relinquish their violent instincts. He suggests that people would prefer peace to war by showing a scene of soldiers getting ready for battle, donning new clothes, and amusingly strolling alongside their brothers.

4. Neruda illustrates the detrimental effects of human activity on the environment by making allusions to fisherman and the people harvesting salt. He suggests that during the silence, fishermen would stop harming whales, and the man collecting salt would stop ignoring the suffering his work causes. These illustrations emphasise the need for positive interactions between people and the environment.

5. The poem suggests that we may break out of the cycle of nonstop activity by briefly pausing our actions and words, challenging our fixation with movement and bustle. It advocates for a balance between motion and quiet in our lives and invites us to stop and contemplate.

6. When Neruda says he wants "no truck with death," he implies he wants to put more of an emphasis on life and living than on passing away. It relates to the theme of the poem by highlighting the importance of focusing on the here and now and seeking understanding and connection in life rather than becoming preoccupied with thoughts of death.

7. The poet proposes that by stopping the grief of never really knowing ourselves, a moment of calm and reflection might result in a deeper knowledge of ourselves and our role in the world. We may obtain insights into our behaviours, thoughts, and emotions via reflection in silence, which can help us better comprehend who we are and how we interact with other people and the rest of the world.

8. Neruda suggests that even when it seems like the Earth is dead, it may nevertheless teach us important truths. The poet emphasises that even when things look static or inert, there is always the opportunity for development, rebirth, and hidden truths to emerge, much as nature sometimes seems dead but subsequently exposes its life.

9. The poem exhorts us to strike a balance in our lives between activity and silence. It emphasises the benefits of pause, reflection, and being present in times of stillness while recognising the significance of activity and involvement with the outside world. It implies that we may live more fulfilling and well-balanced lives by embracing both movement and silence.

10. Counting to twelve at the poem's conclusion and the poet's departure have symbolic meaning. It signifies the conclusion of momentary meditation and stillness and the start of new activity. The poet's departure suggests that the lessons discovered in the silence should be used moving forward as people continue their travels, presumably with a fresh outlook and a better comprehension of both themselves and the world.