"Keeping Quiet" is a poem by Pablo Neruda (Chilean poet, Nobel Prize 1971), translated into English by Alastair Reid. It is included in NCERT Class 12 English Flamingo (Chapter 3). The poem is a plea for a single moment of universal stillness — a pause from the noise, rush, and violence of modern life — to promote peace, introspection, and brotherhood.
"Keeping Quiet" by Pablo Neruda — NCERT Class 12 English Flamingo, Chapter 3.
Neruda: Chilean poet; Nobel Prize in Literature 1971.
Central idea: a momentary pause from noise, violence, and rush for peace and reflection.
The poet counts to 12 — symbolising time (clock), not a specific number.
NOT advocating death or idleness — uses winter metaphor (still but alive, renewal possible).
Theme: peace, non-violence, introspection, environmental care, human brotherhood.
Poem Details: • Title: Keeping Quiet • Poet: Pablo Neruda (1904–1973), Chilean poet • Original language: Spanish (Translated by Alastair Reid) • Nobel Prize in Literature: 1971 • Book: NCERT Class 12 Flamingo, Chapter 3
Summary (Stanza-wise):
Stanza 1–2 (Count to 12, keep still): • The poet asks everyone to count to 12 and keep still • '12' is symbolic — the 12 hours on a clock face; also the 12 languages we speak • He asks for a moment of total silence and inactivity
Stanza 3–4 (No movement): • He asks fishermen not to hurt whales in the cold sea • Salt gatherers should stop collecting salt with their hurt hands • Wars should stop — men with green gas/wars should pause
Stanza 5 (What would happen if silence spread): • If we do nothing for once, perhaps a huge silence would interrupt sadness • We might feel the threat of death, of not being alive any more • This would make us reconsider our actions
Stanza 6 (Neruda doesn't want death or idleness): • He is NOT asking for total passivity or inactivity forever • Life = action; he is not promoting death or idle stillness • Just one moment of pause — like Earth in winter (it appears dead but is alive inside)
Stanza 7–8 (Final appeal): • 'Let's not speak in any language, let's stop for one second' • He wants this moment to be used for self-reflection and human brotherhood • In this brief silence, we can understand each other better
Central Theme / Conclusion: • The poem advocates for a momentary pause from the frenzied, violent, and noisy world • Theme: peace, non-violence, introspection, environmental care, human unity • Neruda argues that stillness = not death, but like winter — the Earth is still alive; renewal is possible • The silence is meant to create awareness about the consequences of our destructive actions
Literary Devices: • Symbolism: 'Count to 12' = time; stop watches • Imagery: fishermen, whale, salt gatherers, men with green gas • Metaphor: winter = stillness but not death; nature's cycle • Paradox: 'Keeping quiet' doesn't mean do nothing forever; it means active reflection
Keeping Quiet by Pablo Neruda (Class 12 Flamingo) asks for a single moment of universal stillness — counting to 12 and being quiet — so that we can pause from the noise, violence, and rush of modern life. He wants fishermen to stop killing whales, salt gatherers to rest their hurt hands, and wars to stop. But he clarifies he is NOT advocating death or idleness. Like winter (still but alive), this pause would lead to reflection, peace, and renewal. The theme is peace, non-violence, and human brotherhood.
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