40. HS2nd yr/IDC 151- Keeping Quiet (27)
1. Who is the poet of Keeping Quiet?
Ans:- Pablo Neruda is the poet of Keeping Quiet.
2. For how long does the poet want to stay still?
Ans:- The poet wants to count upto twelve and stay still till he will count upto twelve.
3. Why does he ask us to keep still and not use any language?
Ans:- The poet wants us to simply be quiet so that we utilize that silence to understand ourselves and others.
4. What does he hope to achieve by keeping quiet?
Ans:- By keeping quiet the poet hopes that he will be able to live a fascinating moment and simultaneously realize the depth of reflection and introspection. Such silences make us to listen to the voice of our conscience.
5. What is the exotic moment the poet wishes for?
Ans:- Pablo Neruda wishes for that exotic moment when mankind will be free from greed, cruelty and doing harm to each other. Prevalence of noises from life around us all the time have barred us from peace and thoughtfulness.
6. Who is the poet speaking to?
Ans:- The poet is speaking to the entire mankind who have no time for thoughfulness for the necessity of peace in our busy lives.
7. What can be learnt from Nature?
Ans:- The earth can teach us that as with its silence it nourishes life, mankind can also do good acts maintaning peace and avoiding violence.
8. Why is the poet against total inactivity?
Ans:- Pablo Neruda is against total inactivity because that would lead to death of life. Life should not come to a standstill under any circumstances.
9. What is the poet's sadness all about?
Ans:- The poet is sad because of the man's involvement in wars, violence and causing harm to each other in various ways. This has also snatched man's capacity to think about what harm he doing to himself and others.
10. What does the poet want us to do for one second?
Ans:- The poet wants us to do nothing and remain inactive for one second so that we reflect a bit and try to change our ways towards life.
11. "Let's not speak in any language ', says the poet. Why?
Ans:- The people have been engaged in wars on minor or major issues. If they keep quiet, they may not indulge in reasoning, disputes and quarrels. So, let them keep quiet and not speak in any language. This will ensure peace, prosperity and happiness.
12. What is "the face of the Earth "?
Ans:- "The face of the Earth" means various countries on the surface of the earth.
13. What do fishermen usually do in the cold sea?
Ans:- The fishermen usually catch fish or whales in the cold seas.
14. What does the poet ask the fishermen not to do?
Ans:- The poet asks the fishermen not to hurt, harm or injure the whales in the seas.
15. What has happened to the man gathering salt?
Ans:- The man gathering salt has injured his hands while gathering the same.
16. What should the salt gatherer do?
Ans:- The salt gatherer should take care of his injured or hurt hands.
17. Why does the poet ask us to count to twelve?
Ans:- There are twelve signs on the clock to measure hours. There are also twelve months in a year. Therefore, the poet asks us to count till twelve.
18. What will happen if there is no rush or running of engines?
Ans:- If there is no rush or running of engines there will be peace all around
19. What kind of wars are mentioned in the poem?
Ans:- Green wars, wars with poisonous gases and wars with the fire are the different kinds of wars mentioned in the poem.
20. What kind of victory will be from the wars?
Ans:- The victory from the wars mentioned in the poem will be victory where no survivors will be left to celebrate it.
21. How should war loving people behave?
Ans:- The people who love and support war should actually put on clean clothes and walk with their brothers under the trees in leisure.
22. What is the meaning of 'want no truck with death'?
Ans:- By the phrase 'want no truck with death,' the poet means total inactivity brings death. The poet wants no death to come in between man's march towards peace and silence.
23. How can a huge silence do us good?
Ans:- A huge silence can do us a lot of good when we are disappointed when we do not understand ourselves or when threatened with death.
24. What remains alive when everything seems dead?
Ans:- When everything seems dead the earth only remains alive.
25. Comment on the title.
Ans:- The title of the poem 'Keeping Quiet' by Pablo Neruda is appropriate and has logical essence. It lays the importance of quiet introspection. The people around all the countries are always on the move. Their activities or over activeness have caused tremendous sufferings via wars and violence. Keeping quiet for sometime will do them huge good by halting those violences. Moreover, keeping quiet will give them time to reflect over man's fate over time periods and how feelings of brotherhood can be created when we are in quieter states. So, the title is justified.
26. How does the poet bring out the images of disharmony between the nature and men in the poem by Pablo Neruda 'keeping quiet' and how to resolve it?
A:- In Pablo Neruda's poem "Keeping Quiet," the poet vividly portrays the disharmony between nature and humanity through various images and themes. Here’s a detailed exploration of how Neruda achieves this and his suggested resolution.
Images of Disharmony
1. Destructive Activities:
Neruda highlights the destructive activities of humans through imagery related to war and exploitation of nature. He mentions fishermen harming the whales and salt gatherers harming their hands, emphasizing the conflict between human actions and natural beings. These lines depict how human activities cause direct harm to nature and to themselves.
Example:
Fishermen in the cold sea
would not harm whales
and the man gathering salt
would look at his hurt hands.
2. Human Conflict:
The poem touches on broader human conflicts, including wars and violence. The poet suggests that these conflicts are part of a larger disharmony that extends to our relationship with nature.
Example:
Those who prepare green wars,
wars with gas, wars with fire,
victories with no survivors,
would put on clean clothes
and walk about with their brothers
in the shade, doing nothing.
3. Restlessness and Overactivity:
Neruda portrays humans as constantly active, rarely pausing to reflect or to live in harmony with their surroundings. This constant motion and productivity without purpose contribute to the disharmony with nature.
Example:
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.
Resolution
Neruda’s resolution to this disharmony is encapsulated in the idea of "keeping quiet." He advocates for a moment of silence and introspection, suggesting that through this pause, humans can reconnect with themselves and with nature.
1. Moment of Silence:
By proposing a moment of collective quietness, Neruda believes that humanity can reflect on its actions and the impacts these have on the natural world. This stillness is not just physical but also metaphorical, symbolizing a break from harmful activities and a chance to consider a more harmonious way of living.
Example:
Now we will count to twelve
and we will all keep still.
2. Universal Pause:
The idea of a universal pause where everyone stops their activities underscores the potential for global unity and peace. It suggests that in silence, people might find common ground and a deeper understanding of their connection to the earth and each other.
Example:
It would be an exotic moment
without rush, without engines;
we would all be together
in a sudden strangeness.
3. Reflection and Understanding:
The poet implies that this period of quiet reflection can lead to greater self-awareness and empathy, fostering a sense of responsibility toward the environment and promoting peaceful coexistence.
Example:
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.
Conclusion
In "Keeping Quiet," Pablo Neruda uses vivid imagery to illustrate the disharmony between humanity and nature, depicting the detrimental impact of human actions on the environment and themselves. He proposes that a moment of silence and reflection can foster understanding and harmony, suggesting that through introspection and collective stillness, humans can mend their relationship with nature and each other. This poetic call to "keep quiet" serves as a powerful reminder of the need for mindfulness and unity in addressing environmental and social issues.
27. IDC 2024
What does Neruda suggest people to do? (1)
A:- Neruda suggests people to keep quiet by observing silence and further explains how it can be done.