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Keeping Quiet Summary

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Last updated date: 27th Mar 2024
Total views: 366k
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About the Poem

Keeping Quiet is a Class 12 English Flamingo Book Poem 3 from the CBSE curriculum. Keeping Quiet Summary, Question Answers, and New Words can all be found on this Vedantu page. Pablo Neruda wrote the poem in Spanish, but it was eventually translated into English. The major subject was the significance of mindfulness, introspection, and retrospection in leading to attention, oneness, and fraternity.


It was an appeal to take a step back and look at something that had become ingrained in a daily flurry of human habit: People are persuaded to blindly perform what is expected of them, oblivious to the impact on nature and society.


Keeping Quiet Introduction

Pablo Neruda's poem "Keeping Quiet" highlights the importance of sustaining peace and silence. He emphasizes being peaceful and non-harmful to humans, animals, and the environment. He claims that to sustain peace and harmony, we must take time to pause and reflect. Keeping Quiet poem is written in free verse and hence has no rhyme scheme.


Pablo Neruda- Keeping Quiet

Pablo Neruda (1904–1973) was a notable Chilean poet, diplomat, and politician who used the pen name and then the legal name Pablo Neruda. He received the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1971. Green ink was his emblem for passion and hope, and he wrote in it. His writings are straightforward, which is part of their appeal.


The crux of this poem, which was originally composed in Spanish, is centered on introspection and retrospection. For us to be at peace with ourselves and others, the poet believes that some soul–searching is required.


The Theme of the Poem

The poem Keeping Quiet is, in essence, anti-war poetry. The poet is worried about violence, animal brutality, and the fate of manual laborers. Many of our social, political, and religious problems can be solved in a very easy way, according to the poet. Self-introspection is the answer. It will be the first big step toward bringing people together if it is implemented. The second phase is for everyone to examine themselves and determine what is wrong and who is to blame. This will purify every heart and elevate everyone.

FAQs on Keeping Quiet Summary

1. How does the writer symbolize that life can exist amid apparent stillness in the poem Keeping Quiet?

The poet uses the example of the earth to demonstrate that life can exist in apparent silence. The ground is never dormant. We experience the change of seasons, which brings with it a plethora of new experiences. Things come to a halt in the winter as water bodies freeze, trees drop their leaves, and so on. However, when the spring season arrives, it brings with it beautiful flowers, flowing rivers, and a new lease on life for nature. As a result, the poet wishes to emphasize that we should be tranquil, but that this does not imply complete inaction and stillness.

2. What are the main points of the poem Keeping Quiet?

The following are the key things to consider in the poem Keeping Calm: 

  • The poem discusses the importance of quiet introspection.

  • It will assist people in better understanding themselves and will foster a sense of mutual love and relationship.

  • The poet does not intend absolute inactivity when he says quiet introspection; rather, he means full participation in life.

  • The mismatch between man and nature is the cause of the discard and war.

  • Quiet contemplation will create a spiritual and physical unity that is essential for the earth and human survival.

3. Does Vedantu provide the right summary and explanation of the poem Keeping Quiet?

Yes, Vedantu provides an accurate and comprehensive summary of Pablo Neruda's poem Keeping Quiet. The poem's summary was written by Vedantu's English literature specialists. They have ensured that students comprehend the poem's main idea and can respond to questions on the poem in exams. It's a complex poem and comprehending it is crucial. As a result, the experts have provided an easy-to-understand synopsis of the poetry. Students can also get extra study materials and practise papers for the English topic in Class 12 to help students clear their doubts. If students have any remaining doubts, they can connect with our experts in live sessions on the Vedantu platform and get the questions answered.

4. What is the importance of the poem Keeping Quiet?

Pablo Neruda's poem Keeping Quiet is about peace, fraternity, and prosperity. This poem was written in the 1950s when the world was in the midst of a dead war.


The poet, too, has felt the effects of war, and his plea for peace demonstrates his dissatisfaction with mankind killing each other for power and money.


The poet invites us to be silent for a moment and stop doing worldly things, instead of thinking about ourselves, our nature, and our brothers whom we despise. Poet believes that by doing so, we will be able to establish a better world.


The poem is composed of five stanzas. From stanza to stanza, the lines change. The poetry is simple to comprehend. On Vedantu, however, students can go over each word by word to ensure that everything is clear.

5. What does a poet mean by counting up to twelve and staying still to help us achieve peace?

In the poem Keeping Quiet, the poet writes, "If we count up to twelve and stay silent, it will allow us some time to reflect on our conduct." It will give us some time to reflect on the outcomes of our actions. People all over the world are fighting wars and destroying the environment to achieve their goals. Unfortunately, this is leading us all to our demise. So, to attain peace and harmony, we must think.


The goal is to instill in students the value of life and peace, as well as the consequences of their actions.


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