pls explain the summary of the poem"keeping quiet"

KEEPING QUIET

– Pablo Neruda

This poem advocates the importance of silence and self-analysis and that of universal peace and harmony.

The poet asks the people to keep still to the count of twelve. He urges the people throughout the world to stop speaking and keep still during this time. The moment will be extraordinarily tranquil with no hustle bustle of the frenzy world. Although it may seem a little strange in the beginning, it will eventually bring us all together. This silence will be free from the disturbing sounds of engines and people rushing to get their work done for some time. He feels contended imagining the change that will be brought about in those moments. The whales in the sea will get a little more time to live with the fishermen’s activity put on hold. The men who hurt their hands while collecting salt will get a little rest. Even the people who seek fresh wars, using fatal gas and weapons, will put on clean clothes (without the blood stains of other humans) and will get a chance to walk among their brothers. They will lead a hatred-free and calm life, giving a halt to their destructive activities.

The poet clarifies that his wish should not be considered as a case for “total inactivity”. He only wants to interrupt the sad, cruel and baleful activities of the world for a few moments and to make the people introspect their actions. The poet uses the image of the earth to show how life exists in seemingly dormant things. The poet says that the self-examination in silence will initiate logical thinking and will help us come back with fresh spirit and new perspectives.

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Stanza 1 By asking the reader to count to twelve, the poet calls for a time to be tranquil and unmoving. His use of the number twelve could be associated to the clock hours or possibly, even the number of months in a year. Both attributions however, effectively depict how our hours and months pass by before us, as we continue to chase after them without so much as a pause in between. Stanza 2 Again, the poet reinforces his call not to take a step further, move nor speak. The appeal to not speak in any language is symbolic of asking people to now “speak” in one language – silence. This would bring everyone together and lead us to introspection. In this view, symbolism may also be seen in the use of the phrase, “move our arms so much” which in this context, if taken lightly can be considered as merely brisk walking, but could also be signifying violence or our selfish pursuits. It is to be noted as well how the poet mentions “once” and “one second” in this stanza. The appeal is set on the premise that humans are constantly speaking and constantly moving- again, a reinforcement of his earlier hedge on the lack of time to be still and introspective. Stanza 3 Here, the poet introduces the impact of such behavior. The poet then proceeds to ask the reader to ponder, consider and bask on the glory of this rare occurrence: where the usual flurry of diverse human activity is now silenced to a standstill and in surprising unity. As humans are perceived to be unique in their own ways and possess free will, a complied deliberate silence of all shall create this mysterious yet wonderfully unusual unanimity. Stanza 4 Here, the poem develops by providing what ensues through this quietness. The poet shows how because of this, humans would now have more time to think about their actions and how they would have the time to notice the details that surround their daily lives. Knowing the power they have over nature but also being aware of where they stand, humans now demonstrate their free will not to harm nature. Mentioning about the man gathering salt who notices that his very hands are hurt displays the result of retrospection. Stanza 5 In this part, the poet references wars and those that participate in it, to drive his point home. Because there is now a time to breathe in and out, without being required to do what is usually done, or blindly follow orders, there will also be time for introspection. And through this, humans are now able to see how in a war, there really are no winners. This is where he continues to show the critical impact of allowing time for introspection: a conscious effort not to contribute or be part of dissension. Another symbolism can be spotted when the poet mentions “put on clean clothes.” This is not just to emphasize how with war, there is the shedding of blood, but rather the very act of putting on new clothes can be seen as taking on a different role, a different persona, and basically having a different take on the matter at hand. Stanza 6 The poet then divulges to clarify that his plea for stillness, for a moment’s pause, is not to be mistaken for the mere act of doing nothing or death. He mentions to truly look at life as it is: which is of living while experiencing the beauty of quietness and the moments that go through it. Note how he used “no truck with” which is an idiom meant to connote not having association with. The poet considers going through the hustle and bustle of life without pausing, as death. The poet then proceeds to give the reader a conditional statement to allow him to consider what would happen if humans had not been slaves to time, routine and habit. He presents the bearing this unforeseen single iota of change, rubbing off on the majority of people, would ultimately result to a much needed introspection. The poet further injects irony when he mentions “death” in this stanza again as he goes to show how humans are terrified of eventually dying. This, while not noticing that the life they are actually “living” is merely existing, without truly being aware of what they are doing and becoming. Also, the poet asks us to learn from earth which seems to be still when seen from far away but is burstling with life with all the flora and fauna within. Stanza 7 Having presented the dilemma, the poet effectively passes the baton to the reader and has now given him the power and the choice to be still and begin his own introspection and retrospection. As with the central idea of his poem, the call to pause and be mindful of one’s own self and ways, resonates to the very conclusion of the poem.

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 tranquility; 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. History bears testimony to the fact that meditative reflection has changed many lives. Great historical figures like Gautam Buddha and Ashoka gave up riches and warfare once they discovered through introspection and meditation that the self can never be fulfilled through power and riches. It is always spiritualism which completes a human being. Neruda encourages his readers to also work towards that level of 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 activit