This page offers Keeping Quiet summary Class 12 pdf in easy language. We have presented short and long summaries from 50 words to 300 words. Go through to get a deep insight of the Poem Keeping Quiet from the Book Flamingo. It is useful for exam point of view and quick learning of the chapter. Downloadable PDF is also available.
Table of Contents
Short Summary of “Keeping Quiet” within 80 Words-
In the poem Keeping Quiet, the poet Pablo Neruda asks everyone to stop and be silent for a moment, counting to twelve. He believes this quiet time will bring peace and help people understand each other better.
The poet imagines that during this silence, people will stop harming nature and fighting wars. He does not want us to stop living, but to pause and reflect. By being still, we can learn from nature that even after quietness, life continues and renews.
Detailed Summary of “Keeping Quiet“-
1. The Call for Silence: The poet, Pablo Neruda, begins by asking everyone to count to twelve and stay quiet for a moment. He wants us to stop talking, moving, or doing anything.
The number twelve is important because it could stand for the twelve hours on a clock or the twelve months of a year. The poet wants us to stop for just a short time to see what happens when we are not busy with life.
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2. Feeling Peace in Stillness: Neruda says that this moment of quiet will feel strange, but it will also feel special. There will be no rushing around and no loud sounds from machines or cars.
Everyone will feel calm and peaceful together. The poet believes this peaceful silence will help people understand each other better because we often miss the beauty around us when we are always busy. He wants us to experience this peaceful moment together, without doing anything.
3. Understanding Nature: The poet talks about how people harm nature, like fishermen catching whales or workers hurting their bodies while gathering salt. He believes that if they stopped for a moment, they would realise the damage they are causing to nature and to themselves. By being quiet and still, we can think more clearly and see the effects of our actions on the world.
4. Stopping Wars: Neruda speaks about wars and how people fight and destroy things. He imagines if the people who start wars, like soldiers or leaders, stopped for a moment, they might put on clean clothes and walk peacefully with others.
This break from fighting would help people realise that winning a war doesn’t make anyone happy if it means so much pain and destruction. He dreams of a world where people stop fighting and instead choose peace.
5. Not About Death: The poet explains that he is not asking for total inactivity or death. Life is about living, not about stopping everything forever. He just wishes that people would take a short break from always rushing through life.
Sometimes we are so focused on moving forward that we forget to enjoy the present moment. A short pause can help us feel more alive.
6. Learning from Nature: Neruda says that we can learn from the Earth. Even when things seem dead, like trees in winter, they come back to life in spring. This shows that after stillness or quiet, new life can begin. He believes that the Earth has a lot to teach us if we are willing to listen.
7. Ending in Silence: In the end, the poet asks everyone to be silent while he counts to twelve one more time. After that, he will leave, but his message of peace and understanding will stay with us. The poet hopes that this moment of silence will help us see the importance of pausing, reflecting, and connecting with nature and each other.
Pointwise summary of “Keeping Quiet”-
1. A Call for Silence- The poet asks everyone to count to twelve and stay silent for a brief moment.
2. Creating Peace and Calm- This silence will create a calm and peaceful atmosphere for all people.
3. Understanding Through Quiet- The poet suggests that in this quiet time, people will understand each other better.
4. A Pause to Notice Harm- Fishermen will stop harming whales, and workers will notice the damage to their own bodies.
5. Reflecting on Actions- He imagines that people who start wars will take a break and reflect on their actions.
6. A Pause, Not Inactivity- The poet does not advocate total inactivity or death, just a momentary pause from life’s rush.
7. The Sadness of Rushing Through Life- He believes that constantly moving forward without reflection causes sadness and fear of death.
8. Nature’s Lesson of Renewal- Nature teaches us that even after stillness, life can come back, just like in spring after winter.
9. Interrupting Negativity- The poet hopes this silence will interrupt the negativity and help us appreciate life.
10. Final Call for Silence- In the end, he encourages everyone to stay silent while he counts to twelve once more before leaving.
