KEEPING QUIET

- BY PABLO NERUDA

The poet talks about the need of silence and quiet introspection and the

importance of quietude and calmness. He also talks about creating a feeling

of mutual understanding and brotherhood among human beings.

Now we will count (to help us focus and introspect) to twelve {hours of the day(clock) or months of the
year/ a sacrosanct number associated with divinity (Bible), faith , hope and completeness}

and we will all keep still.

For once on the face of the earth,

Let’s not speak in any language; (theme of universal brotherhood/harmony without racial/ cultural
predilection -use only one language of silence, love)

let’s stop for one second,

and not move our arms so much. (not be restless/ not use violence/ arms and ammunition

It would be an exotic (rare, due to an unusual silence that would prevail as well as a a rare moment of

introspective togetherness) moment

without rush (reference to an unremittingly fast-paced life), without engines; (without noise or sans the
humdrum routine of life

we would all be together

in a sudden strangeness.( due to an unusual, abrupt silence that would prevail as well as a a rare moment of
introspective togetherness)

Fisherman in the cold sea

would not harm whales ( all creatures would live in harmony/ no abuse/reckless decimation of animal/marine
life

and the man gathering salt

would not look at his hurt hands.(self-inflicted harm to humanity-how man hurts his own kind with his
irresponsible and reckless acts.
Those who prepare green wars, (wars that cause harm to our green planet)

wars with gas, wars with fire,(reference to nuclear wars, environmental degradation)

victories with no survivors, (both sides lose when a war is fought/ such wars only cause extensive
devastation-no survivors to witness the victory-ref. to nuclear wars)

would put on clean clothes (not blood-stained)

and walk about with their brothers

in the shade, doing nothing. ( *note the contrast)

What I want should not be confused

with total inactivity.(he clears the air that he does not advocate indolence or torpor; on the contrary, he uses
inactivity and death synonymously, he wants us to live our life to the fullest , pausing only to reflect on our actions )

Life is what it is about;

I want no truck with death.

If we were not so single-minded

about keeping our lives moving, (fixated with making progress, surviving and moving ahead in the numbing
rat-race)

and for once could do nothing, (sit still and introspect)

perhaps a huge silence

might interrupt this sadness

of never understanding ourselves

and of threatening ourselves with death. (the pensive silence /introspection might cut
through/pierce/penetrate the sadness that stems from not being able to understand ourselves or the purpose of our
existence and consequently deteriorating the quality of our life by living in constant fear of death.

Perhaps the earth can teach us

as when everything seems dead

and later proves to be alive. (the earth teaches us that stillness/silence is not be misconstrued as death-
under the apparent stillness of this earth, lies a potent life-force that has supported life for millions of years and
continues doing so. Also, death does not mean an end...just like the frozen, barren landscape in winter gives way to

picturesque vistas full of colour and life in spring... the cycle/circle of life is always in motion. (activity )
Now I’ll count up to twelve

and you keep quiet and I will go.(leaves with a hope and desire that we will introspect, meditate and listen
to our inner voice.

Figures of speech:

Language here stands in for culture/race.

‘Arms’ is an instance of pun. In puns, duplicity of sense is created because of

the unity of sound. Arm here stands for a body part (to denote restlessness and
violence) as well as ammunition/ weaponry.

Sudden Strangeness: alliteration. The same syllable is repeated at the

beginning of successive words.

His hurt hands: alliteration.

Wars with fire, Wars with gas: Conduplicatio- a kind of repetition of same
words in a line or sentence – ‘Wars with’ occurs twice.

Symbolism: Symbolism is abundant in Keeping Quiet. ‘Fisherman’ and ‘whale’

stand for exploitation. ‘Salt gatherer’ is symbolic of the harm caused to
humanity whereas ‘clean clothes’ and ‘shade’ symbolize peace.

Detailed explanation:

Now we will count to twelve

and we will all keep still.

At the very start of the poem, Neruda sets the momentum of stillness for us.
He urges his readers to count to twelve and remain static. Neruda’s choice of
number twelve is very significant here as it has various references. By using
twelve Neruda is encompassing the dial of the clock which measures our life, the
twelve months which fill the year’s entirety.

For once on the face of the earth

let’s not speak in any language

Negating the use of any language, Neruda is not just advocating silence but is
also encouraging a breakdown of any cultural predispositions and discriminations.
He wants people to transcend their restrictive cultural identities for a while
and unite on the plane of humanity as global citizens; by simply remaining still.
The global vantage point from which Neruda is addressing his readers shines
through in these two lines. He asks people across the world to unite in stillness.
By negating the use of any language, Neruda is not just advocating silence but is
also encouraging a breakdown of any cultural predispositions and discriminations.
He wants people to transcend their restrictive cultural identities for a while
and unite on the plane of humanity as global citizens; by simply remaining still.

Let’s stop for one second,

and not move our arms so much.

The poet asks the readers to stop being restive. He wants his listeners to not
move at all. Arms here can also stand for weaponry. By asking people to lay down
their arms and ammunition, Neruda is making a call for peace. Hence, the second
line can be an appeal for stillness as well as peace.

It would be an exotic moment

without rush, without engines,

In these lines, the poet speaks about the beauty of the stillness and silence
which he recommends for his readers. He says that it would be an exotic
moment in which the cosmic pace of life will halt and so will the engines. By using
the word ‘exotic’ he extols this moment of inactivity for us during which people
would be freed of the hustle and the the rat-race which has governed our lives
in this modern utilitarian world. *By referring to the world in which engines have
halted, Neruda is indicating towards a reversal of the dehumanizing aftermath
of industrialization and mechanization which has made societies greedy and
individuals self-centric.

We would all be together

in a sudden strangeness.

In these lines, Neruda fosters a sense of brotherhood. Once all our activities
and the incessant flood of inter-personal communication stops, the world will
come together. This coming together of the world will be a one –of- a -kind
union , something that the world has not seen or experienced before. Since this
moment of unusual stillness has been heralded by the poet so abruptly; he says
that following his plea will bring about a wonderful feeling of ‘sudden
strangeness’. The peace which ensues from such absolute silence and stillness
would bring us all together by serving as the common unifying link.

Fisherman in the cold sea

would not harm whales

The fisherman here stands for the exploitation and aggressive activities of man
especially with regard to nature. The poet hopes that keeping quiet would bring
in a rush of introspection and in an attempt to understand oneself and the world
around, people will stop inflicting harm on others as well as themselves.

And the man gathering salt

would look at his hurt hands.

Once the chain of introspection begins, man, represented here by the salt
gatherer, will begin to reflect upon the lessons that he has learned in the
process, represented here by the hurt hands. In the mad rush of life, people
seldom stop to look inwards in order to understand themselves. In the exotic
moment of peace when people finally simmer down to take stock of themselves
and their life, they will arrive at a feeling of sense-actualization, a better
understanding of one’s self.

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.

The stillness recommended by Neruda will not just help individuals but also the
human society as a whole. Staying still will put an end to the ‘green wars’. By
green wars, Neruda is referring to the calculated onslaught on Nature that
humans have been making in the name of modernization, leading to phenomena of
decadence and environmental degradation such as global warming. Exercising a
moment of inactivity will also bring a stop to all the ongoing warfare among
nations. Neruda mocks such wars which bring victory at the cost of human lives
and basic humanity. If the people engaged in warfare, on and off the field, can
just indulge in nothingness for a bit; the soldiers can discard their blood stained
uniforms and recognize fellow soldiers on the other side of the battlefield as
brothers. According to Neruda, so much benefit can be derived by the very
simple act of doing nothing.

What I want should not be confused

with total inactivity.

(Life is what it is about,

I want no truck with death.)

In these lines, the poet further clarifies what he means by ‘keeping quiet’ and
being still. He urges his readers to not confuse this state of dormancy with
total inactivity because although they will be physically still and quiet, their
minds will be engaged. Silence will help us churn out pearls of wisdom which will
bear the power to change the world. An absolute physical and mental stillness
will be akin to death and the poet says he wants nothing to do with it. His
purpose is to foster life through introspection and reflection. His dictum in
favor of rest should not be confused with eternal rest.

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.

Neruda opines that as humans we suffer from collective narrow-mindedness in
the way that all our actions can be linked to our survival instinct. In our struggle
to achieve all our goals before death takes to hold us, we become so engrossed
with our materialistic aims and responsibilities that we never stop to stare at
ourselves and the world around us. The fear of death and the related survival
instinct is so strong in us that we don’t think twice before brandishing the gift
of our self that God has provided us with in our race to just exist. The poet
asserts that by jumping into the pool of silence that he has created for us, we
can bring an end to the misery of never understanding ourselves. Most of us go
through our whole lives without really knowing who we are and what we want,
which according to Neruda is indeed a sad life. Neruda says that by exploring
our real selves, away from the crutches of all our surface desires; we can tap
into a treasure-trove of happiness that can only be unlocked through self-
realization.

Perhaps the earth can teach us

as when everything seems dead

and later proves to be alive.

In the above-quoted lines, the poet asks us to take lessons of dormancy from
Mother Nature. During winter, life seems to stagnate as ice covers everything
and sucks all traces of life. However, what seems dead at one instant actually
blossoms into life with the onset of spring. What the poet is implying here is
that stillness is always succeeded by a period of rejuvenation. Hence, we must
not be scared of being in the still and keeping quiet. Just as Nature has shown
us, our apparent inactivity will be awarded eventual growth and prosperity.

Now I’ll count up to twelve,

and you keep quiet and I will go.

In the concluding lines, the poet quietly leaves the scene after initiating a
process of introspection and reflection within us. Now that he has delivered his
message to us, his work as a poet is over. It is upon us now, to follow his dictum
in order to lead a meaningful existence in which we can benefit both on an
individual and a societal level.
A synopsis:

Introspective quietness is the crux around which Keeping Quiet revolves. The
poet implies in course of the poem that the reason why there is a lack of peace
and contentment in the world, both personal and societal; is that people have
been so busy in mindless action that they fail to stop and take stock of what
they are doing. Once people just halt their daily grind and begin to really weigh
the pros and cons of their actions and undertake a path of self-discovery, there
will be no problems in the world. Wars will cease and people will begin to stop
hurting each other because upon discovering the real self in a moment of
complete tranquillity; people will rise above their petty selfish needs and unite
on a plane of humanity and brotherhood. Neruda believes that the soul housed
within the human body is capable of performing this feat if given a chance to
shine out through introspection, for which absolute silence and stillness is
essential. Neruda encourages his readers to also work towards that level of
soul-searching and self-actualization.

Themes of Keeping Quiet:

Silence and Stillness:

Neruda is all for silence and stillness in Keeping Quiet. It is also the central
theme of the poem. According to the poet, adopting silence and stillness in our
life, even if it is for just a while is very essential, as it will help us reflect on
ourselves and the world. Doing this will put us on a meaningful track in life, first
on an individual plane and then on a larger societal plane. Once we start working
towards self-actualization, our focus will shift from external to internal. As a
result, there will be peace and harmony among individuals and nations. However,
for this to happen it is essential that the silence and stillness which the poet
recommends is not mistaken for absolute inactivity. It is imperative for this
moment of calm and rest to be accompanied by deep meditation. This brings us
to the second theme of the poem which is introspection. It is only through
introspection and reflection that we can attain the perfect Utopian world
described in the poem.

Brotherhood is an important theme of the poem, to which the theme of anti-

violence is also linked. Neruda has showcased an anti-war attitude in the poem
and has branded war as meaningless since it brings the illusion of victory at the
very heavy price of human lives. No one really benefits from the war; instead,
one brother turns against another. Neruda wishes for people across the world
to unite together in their moment of silence and stillness. He hopes that doing
so will make humans aware of the values of brotherhood and their religion of
humanity.

A disapproving attitude towards utilitarianism is another important theme.

Neruda speaks against a very materialistic approach towards life. According to
him, life is about a lot more than achieving is a certain check list of goals before
death puts an end to us. One can only have a successful life by really
understanding oneself, away from the rat-race which we usually attach to our
existence.

The theme of rejuvenation has also been touched upon in the poem. The poet
says that the phase of stillness which he wants his readers to undergo should
not be mistaken as death. Just as spring takes away all the dormancy of winter,
the phase of keeping quiet will also be followed by a burst of meaningful
philanthropic activity.

The Tone of Keeping Quiet:

Although the topic being addressed by the poet is a very pressing one, he goes
on about it in the most composed way possible. The tone of the poem is highly
reflective. In course of the thirty-five lines of the poem, the poet ruminates
over problems pertaining to humans individually and collectively as a society and
reflects upon the most plausible solution which is self-actualization through
meditation.
Conclusion:

Keeping Quiet by Pablo Neruda is a reflective piece of poetry which has

philosophized a solution to the problems caused in the world due to growing
materialism, greed and power-lust. The poem speaks in favour of inward self-
fulfilment, independent of external factors.

Q1- What will counting up to twelve and keeping still help us achieve?
A1-If we count up to twelve and keep still, it will give us some time to analyze our deeds. It
will allow us some moments to think about the result of our activities. People in the world
are involved in wars and are also damaging the environment in order to achieve their aims.
Unfortunately, this is taking all of us toward our own end. So, we need to think in order to
achieve peace and harmony.
Q2- Do you think the poet advocates total inactivity and death?
A2- No, the poet doesn’t advocate total inactivity and death. He clarifies this in his poem that
he wants all the people to just stop for a while in order to analyze their activities and their
consequences. He wants human beings not to support war and damage to the
environment.
Q3- What is the ‘sadness’ that the poet refers to in the poem?
A3- The sadness is the result of our own actions and deeds. According to the poet we all are
in a hurry of achieving various tasks in our life. This rush sometimes proves dangerous for
us. As we don’t analyze our actions, so we land ourselves in a number of problems. These
problems then become the reason for our sadness as referred to in the poem.
Q4- What symbol from Nature does the poet invoke to say that there can be life under
apparent stillness?
A4- The poet takes the example of earth to prove that there can be life under apparent
stillness. The earth never gets inactive. We experience the change in the seasons which
brings so many different things with it. In winters, things come to a standstill as the water
bodies freeze; the trees shed their leaves, etc. But as soon as the spring season comes, it
brings with it the lovely flowers, flowing rivers and a new life is given to the nature. So, the
poet wants to convey that we should stay calm but that doesn’t mean that it will bring total
inactivity and stillness
THE RATTRAP

About the author

SELMA LAGERLOF (1858-1940) was born in Varmland, Sweden. In 1909, she

became the first woman writer and the first Swede to win the Nobel Prize for

Literature. The story “The Rattrap” is both entertaining and philosophical.

The title of the story refers to the theory that life is one big rattrap. It had never existed

for any other purpose than to set baits for people. It offered riches and joys, shelter

and food, heat and clothing, exactly as the rattrap offered cheese and pork, and as

soon as anyone let himself be tempted to touch the bait, it closed in on him, and
then everything came to an end. The story is narrated in the style of a fairy tale.

About the Chapter

“The Rattrap” is a story that is entertaining as well as philosophical. Through the

metaphor of rattrap, the author highlights the human predicament of temptation.

The story is a good analysis of human emotional needs and human behaviour. All

through the story, there is a subtle humour that serves in lightening the seriousness

of its tone.

Theme:

The story deals with the trap of material benefits that most human beings are prone to fall
into. It also dwells on the inherent goodness of human beings and the human tendency to
redeem oneself from dishonest ways/ how it can be rekindled with compassion and trust.
Focussing on human loneliness and the need to bond with others, it brings out our proclivity
(natural tendency) to look down upon the have-nots of the society and deprive them of an
opportunity to make their lives worth living. However, here and there, there are stray good
souls that help them come out of the abyss (depth) of their wretchedness and live a dignified
life.

Main Points:

A philosophical rattrap seller:

Once there was a man who made rattraps of wire and went around selling them.

However, occasionally he had to turn to begging and stealing. He looked at the

world with vengeance for being unkind to him. He entertained himself with the

idea of the world being nothing but a big rattrap where the riches act as baits to

lure and trap people for life.

Crofters’ thirty kronor bills stolen:

One evening the rattrap peddler took shelter in an old man’s cottage, who had been

a crofter at Ramsjö Ironworks. The amiable and generous man offered him dinner

and tobacco. He even showed him the thirty kronor bills, earned by selling his

cows’ milk, kept in a leather pouch that hung near the window. However, the next

morning, the rattrap peddler stole the money and made his escape through the

forest.
Caught in the big rattrap called world:

But as he got lost in the woods, he realised that the thirty kronor bills had been a

bait to trap him in the huge rattrap that the world is.

The Ramsjö Ironworks the ironmaster:

Nevertheless, he kept walking. Attracted by a regular thumping, he reached the

Ramsjö Ironworks, where the blacksmith allowed him to spend the night. Soon, the

owner of the mill arrived for a nightly inspection. The ironmaster mistook the

peddler for an old acquaintance, Nils Olof (Captain von Stahle). The rattrap seller

thought of taking advantage of the opportunity but soon decided against it when he

was invited to his home as he feared the discovery of the stolen money.

But the unsuspecting ironmaster wasn’t willing to leave the matter. He informed

the rattrap peddler how, after the death of his wife and departure of his sons, he

was left only in the company of his oldest daughter and that he wished to have

company for Christmas. When he had failed to persuade the rattrap peddler, he sent

his daughter to bring him home.

The invitation:

EdlaWillmansson, the shy and modest daughter of the ironmaster, came to

persuade the peddler to come to their home for Christmas. By his frightened look,

she guessed that the peddler had either stolen something or has escaped prison. So

she hinted an assurance that he would be free to leave whenever he wanted.

Reassured, he accepted the invitation. However, the idea of being trapped did not

leave him. On the way to the manor, he regretted stealing the money from the

crofter and once again considered himself caught in the trap.

The change of events for the peddler:

The following morning, on Christmas Eve, the ironmaster and his daughter

discussed how to help the peddler. The ironmaster planned to help him regain his

health and also to assist him in finding a vocation for himself. The peddler was
bathed, saved and given a hair-cut. However, when the peddler - in clean suit and

shoes - presented himself to his host, the ironmaster was shocked to realise his

mistake. He demanded an explanation from the peddler and threatened to hand him

over to the sheriff.

Suddenly, the rattrap peddler put forward his idea of the world being a rattrap and

that one day even the ironmaster may become caught in it. The ironmaster laughed

it off and ordered the rattrap peddler to leave at the earliest.

Edla’s intervention:

However, before he could actually leave, the daughter intervened. She had been in

high spirits that morning thinking of the ways in which she could help the peddler.

However, not wanting to express her own feelings, she beseeched her father on the

behalf of the rattrap peddler to enjoy just one day at their place. The father finally

gave in to his daughter’s request, hoping that they would not regret the decision

later on.

Throughout the day, the rattrap peddler did not utter a word. He merely ate and

slept. He had to be woken up for even meals. At the end of the day, when he was

told by Edla that he was welcome to return on the next Christmas Eve, he was

flabbergasted.

Theft of thirty kronor bills revealed:

Next morning, in the church, the ironmaster and Edla were shocked to find that a

certain rattrap seller had robbed one of their old crofters. As they returned, the

father wondered what all the rattrap peddler would have robbed them of. The

daughter, however, felt dejected.

On returning home, they were informed, by the valet, that the man had left empty

handed. On the contrary, he had left a package, as a Christmas present, for Edla.

A Christmas gift for Edla:

The peddler left a package containing a small rattrap with the three ten kronor bills
that he had stolen from the crofter. Along with that he left a letter thanking Edla for

her generosity and asking her to return the bills to the crofter. He wrote, the rattrap

is a Christmas present from a rat who would have been caught in this worlds

rattrap if he had not been raised to captain, because in that way he got power to

clear himself. It was signed as Captain Von Stahle

SOLVED SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS:

Q1. The crofter can be called a good host. Why?

Ans. The crofter as a wonderful host is proved from the fact that he not only treats

the peddler very kindly and offers him food and shelter willingly, but also reposes

full faith in him and shows the thirty kroners he had with him.

Q2. How did the tramp make his living? What idea do you get about him from the

way he earned to keep his body and soul together?

Ans. The tramp earned his living by making and selling rattraps that he made

himself at odd moments from the material that he begged from here and there. His

endeavour to earn a living in this way shows that he was enterprising, hardworking

and was keen to avoid begging.

Q3.Generally speaking, how did the world treat the tramp?

Ans. The tramp was treated with great contempt. He was not welcomed anywhere.

In fact, he was chased away from wherever he went. So much so that, even if

someone granted him a favour, he couldn’t see anything better than scorn and

indifference in the eyes of his benefactor.

Q.4 What did the peddler think about rattraps when he lost his way in the forest?

How was it different from his previous thoughts about rattraps?

Ans. At first the peddler thought that the whole world was nothing but a big

rattrap. It baited people but as soon as they were tempted, it closed in on them, and

then everything came to an end.

After taking the money in his pocket, the peddler lost his way in the wood. He
realized then that it was his turn to be trapped. He had let himself be fooled by a

bait and had been caught. The whole forest closed in upon him like a prison from

which he could never escape.

Q5. How did the ironmaster interpret the peddler’s refusal to accept his invitation

to the manor house?

Ans. The ironmaster had no doubt in his mind about the identity of the tramp. He

thought that his guest, whom luck had ill-treated, was embarrassed to go to manor

house in rags. Since, he had seen better days, his current dilapidated state

prevented him from accepting his invitation.

Q.6 Why did the rattrap peddler not reveal his identity to the ironmaster?

Ans. In the forge, while the haughty blacksmith had ignored him, the ironmaster

came to him and scrutinized him. The man with the rattraps had never before seen

the ironmaster and did not even know what his name was. But he thought that if

the owner of the mill thought that he was an old contact, he might perhaps give

him a couple of kronor. Therefore, he did not want to reveal his identity at once to

him.

Q7. Why did the tramp sign the letter as Captain Von Stahle ?

Ans. The tramp, though illiterate and a thief, found himself raised to a captain

through Edla’s kindness and compassion. He got a chance to redeem himself and

hence he signs the letter as captain Von Stahle.

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS

1. Do you think that one act of kindness can really change a person’s view of

the world? Discuss

Value points:

 Yes I do agree that one act of kindness can really change a person’s view

of the world.

 This has been exemplified in the chapter by the man selling rattraps.
 In the beginning of the chapter the man is dejected and disillusioned

because he could not live a contented life in spite of his working hard to

make his living.

 He had no positive experiences about life and considered the whole

world with its lands and seas, its cities and villages to be a big rattrap.

 The ironmaster’s daughter treats him with respect and shows compassion

and understanding towards his condition.

 She does not force her opinions upon him but tries to persuade him to spend

Christmas eve with them.

 He reposes trust in her due to her friendliness.

 Later she persuades her father not to send the man away when his

identity is revealed as they had invited him and promised him Christmas

cheer.

 She also tells him that he is welcome again next year if he wishes so.

 This brings about a change in the man and he is reformed.

2. Both the Crofter and Edla Willmanson were kind and hospitable to the

tramp. But he repays crofters’ kindness by stealing his money while Edla is

able to transform him to a better human being. Why?

Value points:

 Crofter very hospitable

 Welcomes with a smile – gives him supper and shares his tobacco
 Tells him about income – shows him the money – very trusting and friendly
 Stealing a way of life for the tramp-no twinge of conscience while stealing
 But later he realizes that he who prided himself in not being caught in the rattrap was
caught in it by stealing
 Feels depressed
 Moreover, Edla empowers him by treating him like a true blue captain and
reposing trust in him and gives the rattrap seller a fair opportunity to redeem
himself. His faith is thus resurrected and he returns a transformed man.
 Edla’s kindness and hospitality awakens his conscience
 Realizes that there is a way out of the trap and returns the money through Edla
3. The story “The Rattrap” focuses on human loneliness and the need to bond

with others. Comment.

Value points:

 The theme of loneliness runs throughout the story.

 All the characters suffer from loneliness and seek liberation from it.

 The protagonist himself feels lonely.

 He has always met sour faces, cold words and unkind treatment

 There is no one to share his depressing or amusing thoughts.

 He is always chased away by the people.

 The old man Crofter yearns for company in absence of a wife and

children.

 Similarly the iron master and his daughter too miss company which

gnaws at their hearts all the more on the occasion of Christmas.

 The crofter and the iron master play hosts to the peddler to combat their

loneliness.

 All of them have a strong desire of bonding.

 Bonding gives joy to the crofter, iron master and his daughter.

 At the end bonding transforms the tramp and rekindles the goodness of

his heart.

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