Chapter 11 Keeping Quiet Solutions
Question - 11 : - What will possibly be the effect of keeping quiet?
Answer - 11 : -
Keeping quiet will help us to introspect on our destructive actions like waging wars or otherwise harming the environment. This will give us a better idea of the consequences of the actions, thus changing our attitude to life.
Question - 12 : - Which is the exotic moment that the poet refers to in тАШKeeping Quiet?
Answer - 12 : -
The poet refers to the moment of stillness and quietness as an exotic moment because it will initiate peace and brotherhood. There would be no movement, no talk, no activity and consequently, no violence.
Question - 13 : - What is the sadness that the poet refers to in the poem тАШKeeping Quiet?
Answer - 13 : -
Or
What is the sadness that the poet refers to in the poem?
Answer
The poet refers to the sadness that arises from the failure to understand ourselves. Today, we are so engrossed in achieving materialistic success that we have no time to introspect about our actions and their consequences. Hence, we often end up hurting ourselves, and this results in sadness.
Question - 14 : - Which images in the poem тАШKeeping QuietтАЩshow that the poet condemns violence?
Answer - 14 : -
The images of fishermen not harming the whales in the sea and wars leaving behind no survivors to celebrate victory show that the poet condemns violence. The poetтАЩs refusal to have any association or dealings with death also shows that he is not in favour of any form of violence.
Question - 15 : - What are the different kinds of wars mentioned in the poem? What is NerudaтАЩs attitude towards these wars?
Answer - 15 : -
The poet writes about wars against humanity and nature. Green wars, wars with poisonous gases and wars with fire are the kinds of wars mentioned in the poem. NerudaтАЩs attitude towards war is one of rejection. He feels that such wars may bring victory but there are no survivors to celebrate the victory.
Question - 16 : - How can suspension of activities help?
Answer - 16 : -
The suspension of activities will give people time to introspect and analyse their actions. This will help them in solving their problems and conflicts. They will develop a new understanding and hence will mend their destructive ways.
Question - 17 : - Do you think that the poet advocates total inactivity and death?
Answer - 17 : -
No, the poet does not advocate total inactivity and death. He clarifies that he has no truck with death. According to him, life is meant to be lived to the fullest. He just wants the inhuman and destructive activities to stop.
Question - 18 : - According to the poet, what is it that human beings can learn from nature?
Answer - 18 : -
Life under apparent stillness in attitude is the message which human beings can learn from nature. The Earth is never in a state of total inactivity. Nature continues to breathe and work even when there is stillness all around.
Question - 19 : - What does the title of the poem suggest to you? What do you think the poem is about?
Answer - 19 : -
The title of the poem suggests the importance of silence. The poem is about the importance of quiet introspection for all. Our speech and activities often bring about trouble and suffering, so they need to be controlled.
Question - 20 : - Bring out the underlying message and appeal of the Pablo NerudaтАЩs poem тАШKeeping QuietтАЩ. Why does he call upon all the people to keep quiet ?
Answer - 20 : -
Keeping Quiet is a poem with a historic message. The poet calls upon all the people of the world to observe a short silence, to suspend all their activities, to stand still and quietly analyse what they are doing to kill themselves. The poet talks about the necessity of suspending all war industry and an attack on animals.
It will be a strange experience for the people when they become free from tension and mad rush.тАЭ They will get time to understand their neighbours and the needs of their families. But the poet is not calling for total activity. Life, after all, must go on in quiet way. Even when everything seems dead in nature, the seeds of life remain alive in the earth.