Keeping Quiet

NCERT Book for 12th Class English Flamingo Poetry 3 Keeping Quiet is available for reading or download on this page. Candidates who are in class 12th or preparing for any test which is based on 12th Class English can refer to NCERT English Flamingo Book for their preparation. Here you can read Poetry 3 of 12th Class  English NCERT Book.

Keeping Quiet Questions and Answers

Q.1 What does the title of the poem suggests to you? What do you think the poem is about?
Ans. The title of the poem suggests the importance of silence.

• The poem is about the importance of self- examination, and introspection .it is also an appeal for universal harmony.
• (A model answer has been provided for candidates’ reference. it is strongly recommended that candidates themselves prepare the answer based on their own experience.

Q.2 What will counting up to twelve keeping still help us achieve?
Ans. Calmness, stillness, and keeping quiet for some moments will increase our inner strength. When we become internally strong, we can fight against any type of evil and problem. We can save many innocent people from going into the fire of death. It can count up to twelve and keeping still will help us in achieving self-confidence and inner strength.

Q.3 Do you think the poet advocates total inactivity and death?
Ans. No, the poet only advocates momentary calmness and stillness. It gives inner strength and power. With its help, we can create a mutual understanding with each other. On the other side total inactivity brings death and destruction. Therefore, whatever the poet Pablo Neruda advocates are not total inactivity but calm introspection.

Q.4 What is the ‘sadness’ that the poet refers to in the poem?
Ans. The ‘sadness is there because of our thinking It is also because of the fear of death. But the poet suggests that we can only overcome this fear by keeping quiet for some time. This can also be defeated through self-introspection and meditation. Through these ways we, the people of the whole world can develop a great mutual understanding and completely keep off the fear of sadness.

Q.5 What symbol from Nature does the poet invoke to say that there can be life under apparent stillness?
Ans. The poet invokes the symbol of earth. During the winter season, it seems that everything is still and lifeless. But with the coming of the spring season, everything seems to be full of life and energy. So the poet is right in saying that there is life under apparent stillness.

Q.6 According to Keats, what makes a man love life despite all its problems and miseries?
Ans. According to Keats, this world is full of beautiful things. These things of beauty make a man love life despite all its problems and miseries.+