Gayatri Public School

Session: 2023-24

English Project

Submitted By- Submitted To-

Shubham Yadav Mr. Siddhant Sachdeva
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would like to express my special thanks

of gratitude to my teacher Mr. Siddhant
Sachdeva, who gave me the golden
opportunity to do this wonderful project
of English on prose with topic "Keeping
Quiet", who also helped me in completing
my project. I come to know about so many
new things. I am thankful to them.
Secondly, I would also like to thank to
Principal Mam Mrs. Monika Singh for
providing me with all the facility that was
required to finalizing this project within
the limited time frame.
 CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that English project titled
"Keeping quiet” has been successfully
completed by Tarun Choudhary XII-D in
fulfilment of curriculum of CENTRAL
BOARD OF SECONDARY EDUCATION
leading to the award of annual
examination of the year 2023- 24
 INDEX

Poet’s Introduction
Poem’s background
Theme
Summary
Stanza wise explanation
Poetic devices Rhyme
Scheme
 Poet’s Introduction
Pablo Neruda, born Neftalí Ricardo Reyes
Basoalto, was a Chilean poet, diplomat, and
Nobel laureate, celebrated for his evocative
verses and passionate engagement with life’s
intricacies.

Renowned for his diverse body of work,

Neruda's literary journey navigates themes of
love, politics, nature, and profound
introspection.

His pen name, inspired by the Czech poet Jan

Neruda, became synonymous with poetic
brilliance. His oeuvre, including the timeless
"Keeping Quiet," embodies a poetic fusion of
raw emotion and vivid imagery, inviting
readers to delve into realms of contemplation
and social consciousness.

The poem ultimately advocates for

introspection, suggesting that by momentarily
ceasing our actions and voices, we may
discover a deeper understanding of ourselves
and our interconnectedness with the world.

Neruda's "Keeping Quiet" serves as a call for

mindfulness, urging us to pause, reflect, and
consider the impact of our existence on the
larger tapestry of life.
 Poem’s background
The poem "Keeping Quiet" by Pablo Neruda
was penned during a time of global turmoil and
conflict. Neruda, a Nobel laureate and a
passionate advocate for social justice, wrote
this introspective piece as an ode to the power
of silence amidst a chaotic world.

Published in the mid-20th century, a period

marred by wars and political unrest, the poem
stands as a profound reflection on the need for
introspection and collective mindfulness.
Through its eloquent verses, "Keeping Quiet"
serves as a timeless reminder of the
transformative power of introspection and
collective silence in fostering empathy,
understanding, and a shared sense of
humanity amidst turbulent times.
 Theme
The theme of a project centered around
"Keeping Quiet" by Pablo Neruda could
encompass various aspects:
1. Silence and Introspection:
Explore how the poem advocates
for the power of silence in fostering
self-reflection, inner peace, and
understanding amidst chaos.

2. Global Harmony and Unity:

Discuss the poem's call for a
collective pause, highlighting its
relevance in promoting harmony,
empathy, and global cooperation.

3. Social and Political Commentary:

Analyze Neruda's commentary on
 societal issues, war, and the human
condition, emphasizing the poem's
relevance in advocating for social
change and peace.

4. Nature and Metaphor: Examine

the use of nature and metaphor in
the poem, exploring how these
elements amplify the message of
interconnectedness and the need
for introspection.

5. Personal Responsibility: Discuss

the individual's responsibility in
contributing to a more peaceful
world by embracing silence,
contemplation, and empathy.
 Summary
In Pablo Neruda's "Keeping Quiet," the poet
urges a temporary cessation of human

activity, proposing a moment of collective

silence as a means to introspect and connect
with the world and each other. Amidst the
chaos and rush of modern life, Neruda
advocates for a pause—a conscious stillness
that transcends boundaries, languages, and
differences. This shared silence becomes a
powerful tool for self-reflection, a moment
where individuals cease their actions,
words, and thoughts to contemplate the
repercussions of their actions and the state
of the world.
Neruda's vivid imagery paints a picture of
this suspended moment, where the
cessation of movement and noise allows for
a deeper understanding of our
interconnectedness with nature and each
other. The poet believes that in this
communal hush, people can comprehend
their shared responsibility for the world's
well-being, fostering empathy, peace, and
unity.

"Keeping Quiet" serves as a poignant

reminder of the transformative potential
inherent in silence—a pause that transcends
mere inactivity, inviting profound
contemplation and the possibility of positive
change within ourselves and the world at
large.
 STANZA WISE
EXPLANATION
Stanza 1:
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.
Explanation:

The opening stanza introduces the idea of a

global pause, a moment where humans stop
their activities, words, and thoughts. It
suggests the cessation of movement as a way
to ponder the consequences of our actions and
to reconnect with the world.
Stanza 2:
Fishermen in the cold sea
would not harm whales
and the man gathering salt
would look at his hurt hands.
Those who prepare green wars,
wars with gas, wars with fire,
Explanation:
Neruda emphasizes the potential benefits of
this pause—how it could help people
understand the importance of solidarity and
empathy. He likens this temporary silence to a
gesture of brotherhood, a chance for everyone
to collectively reflect on their shared
humanity.
Stanza 3:
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.
Explanation:
The poet suggests that in this moment of
stillness, people can learn from nature. Just as
trees reset their cycle in winter and grow anew
in spring, humans can also reset their actions
and intentions, fostering a fresh beginning and
a renewed perspective.

Stanza 4:
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.
Explanation:
Neruda illustrates the power of silence,
emphasizing that this collective quietness isn't
an act of inactivity but rather a profound
moment of thought and realization. He
envisions this shared silence as a chance for
humanity to acknowledge their
responsibilities and strive for a better world.

Stanza 5:
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.
Explanation:
The poet concludes by highlighting the
universality of this call for silence. It transcends
borders, languages, and differences, reaching
everyone. He emphasizes that this collective
pause is a crucial step towards peace,
emphasizing the potential for positive change
if individuals embrace this moment of
introspection and solidarity.

Each stanza contributes to the overarching

theme of the poem: advocating for a
temporary pause in human activities to foster
introspection, unity, and the recognition of our
shared responsibility towards a more
harmonious world.
 Poetic devices
Pablo Neruda's "Keeping Quiet" employs
several poetic devices to enhance its
impact and message. Here are some of
them:
1. Imagery: “Neruda uses vivid
imagery to paint pictures with words,
such as "motionless doves" or "rivers of
living water."

2. Metaphor: The poem utilizes

metaphors, like comparing humans to
trees or the act of silence to a possible
collective awakening.

3. Symbolism: Silence symbolizes

contemplation, introspection, and a
pause in action.
4. Repetition: Phrases like "we would
all be together" are repeated,
emphasizing unity and a shared
experience.

5. Alliteration: Words like "quiet,"

"questioning," and "quickened" create a
musical quality and rhythm in the
poem.

6. Parallelism: The structure of the

poem often presents ideas in parallel,
reinforcing the importance of each
concept presented.

7. Personification: Giving human-like

attributes to nature or abstract
concepts, like "the tongue of stone" or
"the air would be as transparent as
glass," infuses the poem with vivid
imagery.
8. Enjambment: The poet uses
enjambment, allowing thoughts and
lines to flow seamlessly from one to the
next without punctuation, creating a
sense of continuity and fluidity.
 Rhyme Scheme
Pablo Neruda's poem "Keeping Quiet" does
not strictly adhere to a consistent rhyme
scheme throughout. Instead, it is written in
free verse, where the lines do not
necessarily follow a specific rhyme pattern.
The poem focuses more on the imagery,
metaphors, and the flow of ideas rather than
a structured rhyme scheme.
This lack of a consistent rhyme scheme
allows the poem to convey its message in a
more organic and contemplative manner,
allowing the ideas to flow freely without
being constrained by a specific rhythmic
pattern.
 Bibliography

• www.ncert.nic.in

• www.scmemorialschool.com

• poemanalysis.com

• www.sirjitutorials.com