EVERWIN VIDYASHRAM SENIOR

SECONDARY SCHOOL

KEEPING QUITE
-PABLO NERUDA

SUBMITTED BY: YOGITH.S

SUBMITTED TO: JEGA JOTHI
GRADE: XII-BRAVE
ACADEMIC YEAR: 2025-2026
 CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that this project is a Bonafide work of
YOGITH.S of grade XII-BRAVE for the academic
year 2025- 2026.

DATE SCHOOL STAMP

INTERNAL EXAMINER PRINCIPAL INTERNAL EXAMINER

 DECLARATION

I YOGITH.S of class XII-BRAVE of EVERWIN

VIDHYASHRAMSENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL -
PERAMBUR hereby declare that the project was undertaken by me as
a part of CBSE curriculum. The data used in the project is authenticated
and reliable.

NAME OF THE STUDENT: YOGITH.S

SIGNATURE:
 ACKNOLEDGEMENT

I would like to thank everyone who supported me and helped me to

complete the project properly and on time. I would like to express my
gratitude towards my principal MRS. VINOTHINI

I am grateful to my subject teacher Mrs. JEGA JOTHI She has guided me in

different matters regarding the topic. She has suggested me the outline of
the project and corrected my doubts. I thank her for her overall support.

I also would like to thank my Parents who helped me a lot and motivated
me to gather the information for the project.

NAME OF THE STUDENT: YOGITH.S

SIGNATURE:
INDEX :
 Objective……………………………………………………………
 About The Author………………………………………………….
 Background of the poem……………………………………………
 Justification of the title……………………………………………..
 Introduction ……………………………………………………......
 Historical and cultural context of “keeping quiet”…………………
 Analysis of the poem’s theme and literary devices………………...
 The importance of silence and stillness in contemporary society…..
 The relevance of “keeping quiet” in the 21st century……………….
 The impact of global issues on the need for silence and reflection...
 Strategies for incorporating quiet reflection into daily life…………
 Poetic devices………………………………………………………
 Comparative analysis with other poems about silence and stillness..
 Conclusion………………………………………………………….
 Student’s reflection…………………………………………………
 Bibiliography……………………………………………………….
OBJECTIVE:
The power of silence and thought as a means of comprehending and
engaging with the world is the theme of the poem “Keeping Quiet”. It’s
main objectives are to:

 Develop a better understanding of themselves and their

surroundings, the poet emphasizes on stillness and watching
nature,

 Develop a sense of oneness with one’s surroundings and other

people by remaining silent and observing,

 Consider how the modern world may be noisy and distracting

and how spending some time to be silent and still can be a helpful
strategy for obtaining clarity and inner calm,

 Be quiet and harmless to the human beings, animals and

environment,

 Maintain peace and harmony,

 Quietly introspect ourselves.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Pablo Neruda born Ricardo Eliécer Neftalí Reyes Basoalto 12th

July 1904 – 23 September 1973 was a Chilean diplomat and politician to
won the 1971 Nobel prize in literature. Neruda became known as a poet
when he was 13yrs old and brought in a variety of style, including
surrealist poem, historical epic political manifestos , a prose
autobiography and passionate love poems such as the one’s in his
collection “Twenty love poems and a song of despair” (1924).
Neruda occupied many diplomatic positions in various countries
during his lifetime and served at term as a janitor for the Chilean
Communist party. When president Gabriel Gon Zalez Videla outlawed
communism in Chile in 1948 a warrant was issued on Neruda’s arrest.
Friends hid him for months in the basement of a house in the Ports city
of Valparaiso and in 1949 he escaped through a mountain pass near the
Maihue lake into Argentina ; he would not return to Chile for three
years.
He was a close adviser to Chile’s socialist president Salvador
Allende, when he got back to Chile after getting his Nobel prize in
Stockholm , Allende invited him to read at the Estadio National before a
gathering of 70,000 people.
Neruda was hospitalized with cancer in September and died a few
hours after leaving the hospital in his home Isla Negra at 23 September
1973.
BACKGROUND OF THE POEM :
Pablo Neruda's poem Keeping Quiet is about peace, fraternity, and
prosperity. This poem was written in the 1950s when the world was in
the midst of a dead war. The poet, too, has felt the effects of war, and his
plea for peace demonstrates his dissatisfaction with mankind killing each
other for power and money.
It was an appeal to take a step back and look at something that had
become ingrained in a daily flurry of human habit: People are persuaded
to blindly perform what is expected of them, oblivious to the impact on
nature and society.

JUSTIFICATION OF THE TITLE :

The title ‘Keeping Quiet’ has a message in itself of what can happen as a
result of keeping quiet. It stresses the importance of introspection, solitude
and of stopping our work or any activity for some time. The title throws
light on the power of quietness in resolving our personal issues. It is in fact,
one of the essential things to live a peaceful life. Only by “keeping quiet”
and introspecting on our actions can we hope to build a better world.
INTRODUCTION :

The poem "Keeping Quiet" was written by Chilean poet and Nobel Prize
winner Pablo Neruda. The poem. which was initially published in 1950,
is regarded as the poet's most well-known composition. In a world that is
increasingly noisy and chaotic, the poem discusses the value of silence
and contemplation.

The poet exhorts the reader to take a minute to think, ponder, and "keep
quiet" in order to take in their surroundings and get in touch with their
inner selves. In order to create both individual and societal harmony, the
poem is a call to action to slow down and listen to one's inner voice.

The world today stands divided by the man-made boundaries such as

cast, creed, race, religion, languagr etc… we need to rise above these
shadow lines and look onto the large picture.The poet also talks about
the normality of creating a future of mutual understanding among human
beings.
HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL CONTEXT OF
“KEEPING QUIET” :
It is crucial to look at the poem "Keeping Quiet"s historical and cultural
background in order to comprehend it completely. The poem was
composed in 1950, as the globe was beginning to recover from globe
War II's terrible impacts. The aftermath of the war and the threat of new
global warfare were issues that the globe was struggling with. The poem
expresses a hope for peace and a world where people could live in
harmony with one another.
Additionally, the poem was composed when Chile, where Neruda
resided, was experiencing political unrest. The administration was
repressing opposition as the nation was going through a political crisis,
In reaction to this political context, "Keeping Quiet" exhorts listeners to
go within and find calm despite the chaos going on around them.
The poem also represents the cultural environment of Latin America,
where many indigenous societies have placed a high value on social
harmony and contemplation. The poem makes use of this cultural history
to highlight how crucial it is for communities to work together in order
to attain peace and understanding.
ANALYSIS OF THE POEM’S THEME AND
LITERARY DEVICES:
The poem "Keeping Quiet" tackles a number of ideas, such as the value
of solitude, reflection, and harmony. The poem exhorts the reader to
pause in solitude and think about their own lives and the world they live
in, highlighting the value of introspection in achieving both individual
and societal improvement. The poem also calls for a sense of community
and shared responsibility, highlighting the necessity for cooperation and
solidarity to create peace and understanding.
The poem makes use of a number of literary methods to successfully
convey its point. The phrase "now we will count to twelve is repeated
several times, evoking rhythm and harmony and highlighting the
importance of group participation. The use of metaphor, such as
equating silence to "a transparent spoon," gives the poetry more depth
and imagery. The poem also employs personification, giving human
characteristics to things like "boats anchored in the harbour" and "houses
asleep in the night," in order to foster a sense of interconnectedness
between the reader and the environment.
The poem makes good use of contrast, comparing the chaos of the
outside world with the serenity of contemplation and stillness. The
poem's structure, which emphasises the need for simplicity and unity in
the face of chaos, produces a sense of clarity and simplicity through its
short stanzas and distinct imagery.
THE IMPORTANCE OF SILENCE AND
STILLNESS IN CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY :
The poem "Keeping Quiet" emphasises how crucial stillness and silence
are in our culture. The idea of solitude and contemplation is getting
harder to find in today's environment where people are always being
distracted by noise. The poem serves as a gentle reminder that finding a
moment of stillness can help us better understand our inner selves and
the world around us.
Stillness and silence can also be effective tools for improving oneself.
We can better understand ourselves and where we fit in the world by
pausing to think about and feel what is going on. Additionally, silence
can help us discover peace and quiet in the midst of our hectic lives by
reducing tension and anxiety.
The poem also emphasises the value of uniting as a society in order to
attain peace and understanding. We may foster a sense of cooperation
and shared accountability by standing still as a group. This will serve to
remind us that we are all connected to and accountable for the world
around us.
The poem "Keeping Quiet" serves as a potent reminder of the necessity
for solitude, serenity, and fellowship in modern culture where the pace
of life can frequently feel overwhelming. It inspires us to pull back from
the turmoil of the world and establish connections with ourselves and
people around us, ultimately bringing about a deeper sense of calm,
comprehension, and harmony.
THE RELEVANCE OF “KEEPING QUIET” IN THE
21ST CENTURY:
The poem "Keeping Quiet" is still relevant in the twenty-first century
because its message about the value of solitude, reflection, and unity is
still current. The poem serves as a potent reminder of the need for calm
and serenity in a world where technology and social media have made
perpetual noise and distraction a part of everyday life.
The poem's message of uniting as a society to create peace and
understanding is also more crucial than ever at this time of political and
social instability. The poem highlights the value of shared accountability
and serves as a gentle reminder that despite our differences, we are all
connected.
Furthermore, the poem's encouragement of reflection and personal
development is especially pertinent in a culture where mental health has
emerged as a serious issue. The poem's advice to pause for a moment
and consider our thoughts and feelings can help to lower stress and
anxiety and improve general wellbeing.
Finally, the poem's optimistic and hopeful message is pertinent in
today's society, when it is simple to feel overpowered by the difficulties
we confront. The poem serves as a reminder that despite the chaos, there
is still a chance for peace and harmony, and that we can all work
together to make the world a better place.
In conclusion, the poem "Keeping Quiet" is still relevant in the twenty-
first century because its message about the value of reflection, silence,
and unity is still essential. It is a potent reminder of the necessity of both
individual and societal development and inspires us to work as a society
to create a better world.
THE IMPACT OF GLOBAL ISSUES ON THE
NEED FOR SILENCE AND REFLECTION:
In light of world challenges, the poem "Keeping Quiet" emphasises the
importance of silence and Introspection. It can be stressful to deal with
the turmoil of the world, which includes political upheaval, social
injustice, and environmental degradation. This can lead to feelings of
hopelessness and despair, But the poem emphasises how solitude and
reflection may bring clarity and perspective in the midst of chaos.
Global problems can also act as a springboard for individual and societal
development. We can better comprehend the problems we face and our
role in solving them by pausing for a minute of stillness and meditation.
The poem emphasises the value of cooperating as a community to find
answers and serves as a gentle reminder that we are all connected to and
accountable for the environment.
The poem also emphasises the significance of acting rather than just
remaining silent in order to address global challenges. Avoiding tough
topics or absolving ourselves of responsibility should not be done by
being silent. The poem instead exhorts us to use stillness as a means of
contemplation and introspection.
The poem "Keeping Quiet" emphasises the importance of thought and
silence in the face of world concerns. It inspires us to come together as a
community to tackle the problems we face and to use silence as a
method to obtain clarity and perspective. In the end, the poem serves as
a reminder of our shared responsibility for the world we live in and the
significance of acting to bring about constructive change.
STRATEGIES FOR INCORPORATING QUIET
REFLECTION INTO DAILY LIFE:
The poem "Keeping Quiet" exhorts the reader to include quiet times for
thought in their daily lives. Here are few methods to do that:
Meditation: Meditation is an effective method for promoting
introspection and clearing the mind. Increased awareness and stress
reduction can be achieved with as little as a few minutes of daily
meditation.
Mindful breathing: Paying attention to your breath is a quick and easy
approach to calm your thoughts. A few slow, deep breaths can assist to
quiet the body and mind and offer some time for thought,
Journaling: Writing down thoughts and feelings in a journal may be a
very effective approach to reflect on experiences and better understand
oneself. Journaling for a short period of time each day can aid in
fostering self-awareness and personal development.
Nature walks: A wonderful approach to connect with oneself and the
environment around us is through nature hikes. A sense of serenity and
introspection can be attained by going for a walk in a peaceful nature
area.
These techniques can be incorporated into daily life to encourage a sense
of silence and thought and to offer a little break from the world's noise
and distractions. In the end, the poem "Keeping Quiet" serves as a
reminder of the value of taking a moment to connect with ourselves and
the world around us. This can be done by introducing little periods of
silence and thought into daily living.
POETIC DEVICES:
1. Alliteration - The repetition of usually initial consonant sounds in
two or more neighbouring words or syllables.
 Now we will count to twelve
 and we will all keep still
 we would all be together
 in a sudden strangeness
 would look at his hurt hands
 wars with gas, wars with fire
 would put on clean clothes
 If we were not so single-minded
2. Assonance - The repetition of similar vowel sounds takes place in
two or more words in proximity to each other within a line of
poetry or prose.
 Now we will count to twelve (Prominent sound of 'o' and
'e').
 and not move our arms so much. (Prominent sound of 'o').
victory with no survivors,
 would put on clean clothes and walk about with their
brothers
3. Antithesis - It is a figure of speech that places two completely
contrasting ideas or clauses next to one another.
 Now we will count to twelve and we will all keep still.
 as when everything seems dead and later proves to be
alive.
4. Imagery - The use of figurative language to evoke a sensory
experience or create a picture with words for a reader.
 Fishermen in the cold sea would not harm whales and the
man gathering salt would look at his hurt hands.
5. Personification - It is a poetic device where animals, plants or
even inanimate objects, are given human qualities.
 Perhaps the Earth can teach us
COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS WITH OTHER
POEMS ABOUT SILENCE AND STILLNESS:
Not only "Keeping Quiet" but other poems also tackle themes of quiet
and stillness. In order to compare "Keeping Quiet" to some other poems
that deal with these issues, here are a few examples:
Wendell Berry's "The Peace of Wild Things: The theme of finding
tranquilly and quiet in nature is also explored in this poem. Similar to
"Keeping Quiet," it emphasises how crucial it is to relax the mind and
find peace in the midst of chaos.
From Robert Frost's poem "The Road Not Taken: The theme of pausing
to think about one's choices and decisions is mentioned in this poem,
despite the fact that it is not specifically about silence or stillness. It
implies, much like "Keeping Quiet," that pausing for a moment to reflect
might be a useful technique for acquiring perspective and clarity.
Author Edgar Allan Poe's "Silence" The strength and beauty of stillness
itself are the subjects of this poetry. It honours the significance of peace
and stillness as a goal in and of itself, without directly advising the
reader to incorporate silence into their daily lives.
These poems all centre on the idea of finding value and significance in
quiet and stillness. Reading and contrasting each one might help us
better comprehend the significance of self-reflection and introspection.
Each one presents a distinctive viewpoint on this issue.
CONCLUSION:
The poem "Keeping Quiet" challenges the reader's perspective and
inspires them to value quiet times for introspection. The poem serves as
a helpful reminder of the value of stepping back from the noise and
bustle of daily life through its examination of themes like unity, serenity,
and introspection.

STUDENT’S REFLECTION:
The instructions to "count to twelve" and "keep quiet" in the poem can
be interpreted as a metaphor for the need to take some time to relax,
think, and unwind from the nonstop stimulus of contemporary life. We
can broaden our perspective, connect more intimately with ourselves and
others, and discover new inspiration and creativity by doing this.
In addition to being a work of literature, "Keeping Quiet" also has a
great deal of significance and resonance in the twenty-first century, a
time when a lot of people are seeking balance and purpose in their lives.
We can cultivate a sense of inner serenity, clarity, and purpose that can
assist us in navigating the difficulties of modern life by introducing brief
periods of solitude and thought into our everyday lives.
The poem encourages the reader to embrace the value and strength of
introspection and reflection, and to reexamine their connection with
silence and stillness. It is an invaluable reminder of the value of taking
our time, paying attention, and engaging with the world around us. Its
message is both timeless and vital.
BIBILIOGRAPHY:
NCERT ‘FLAMINGO:TEXTBOOK IN ENGLISH FOR CLASS XII
(CORE COURSE)’ , 2007 , ISBN-81-74-50-650-0; New Delhi.