Class 12 English Core Textbook Poem Q&A for the Poem “Keep Quiet”: Here are given answers to questions given at the end of the poem “Keep Quiet” in The Class 12 NCERT English Core Textbook ‘Flamingo’. Click for more study resources.
Keep Quiet Poem: NCERT Question and Answers
Think It Out
1. What will counting up to twelve and keeping still help us achieve?
Ans: Counting up to twelve and keeping still will help us pause, reflect, and be more aware of our actions. It allows us to experience peace, stop harming nature, and unite with others in a moment of quiet.
2. Do you think the poet advocates total inactivity and death?
Ans: No, the poet does not advocate total inactivity or death. He is encouraging a moment of stillness and silence, not to stop living but to reflect on life and stop harmful activities, so that we can appreciate life more deeply.
3. What is the ‘sadness’ that the poet refers to in the poem?
Ans: The ‘sadness’ the poet refers to is the feeling of not understanding ourselves or each other. It is also the sadness of living in a way that harms nature, leads to violence, and threatens life with death.
4. What symbol from Nature does the poet invoke to say that there can be life under apparent stillness?
Ans: The poet refers to the Earth as a symbol of life under apparent stillness. He compares the Earth, which seems dead in winter but later comes alive in spring, showing that even in silence or stillness, life can be renewed.
One more set of answers:
- What will counting up to twelve and keeping still help us achieve?
Ans: Counting up to twelve and keeping still will give us a moment of peace and reflection. It will help us stop the rush of daily life, think about our actions, and understand ourselves better. This pause can bring unity and calm, allowing us to connect with others and nature. - Do you think the poet advocates total inactivity and death?
Ans: No, the poet does not advocate total inactivity or death. He is not asking us to stop living, but rather to pause for a while, reflect, and understand life in a deeper way. The poet wants us to appreciate life, not to ignore it or embrace death. - What is the ‘sadness’ that the poet refers to in the poem?
Ans: The ‘sadness’ the poet refers to is the feeling of not understanding ourselves and living in constant fear and conflict. It also represents the harm humans do to nature and others, leading to unhappiness and self-destruction. - What symbol from Nature does the poet invoke to say that there can be life under apparent stillness?
Ans: The poet uses the symbol of the Earth. He says that when everything seems dead, like in winter, life can still return, as seen in spring. This shows that even under apparent stillness or dormancy, life can exist and renew itself.
Try this out
Q. Choose a quiet corner and keep still physically and mentally for about five minutes. Do you feel any change in your state of mind?
Answer: A sample answer is given below. It will help in developing and drafting your own answers.
Sitting quietly in a corner for five minutes, both physically and mentally, can bring noticeable changes to your state of mind. You might feel:
- Calmness: Your thoughts slow down, and you feel more relaxed.
- Clarity: The silence helps you focus better, clearing any scattered or stressful thoughts.
- Awareness: You become more aware of your surroundings, breathing, and even your emotions.
- Inner Peace: A sense of peace or lightness might emerge, making you feel more balanced and refreshed.
This brief moment of stillness allows your mind to rest and recharge, helping you feel more focused and composed. Did you experience anything similar?
Q. Notice the differing line lengths of the stanzas and the shift in thought from stanza to stanza.
Answer:
In the poem “Keeping Quiet,” the differing line lengths and shifts in thought play an important role in conveying the poet’s message.
The line lengths in the poem vary, which creates a sense of movement and rhythm. In the earlier stanzas, the lines are shorter, reflecting the simplicity and calmness that the poet is calling for. As the poem progresses, the lines become longer, allowing for a deeper exploration of the ideas. This shift in line length mirrors the growing complexity of the poet’s thoughts as he moves from describing stillness to reflecting on its larger significance in life.
1. Call for Stillness and Pause
Stanzas 1-2
In the beginning, the poet invites everyone to count up to twelve and remain still. This is a simple and peaceful call for silence. The poet suggests that by pausing and not speaking or moving, we can experience a moment of stillness, which will allow us to connect with others and the world around us.
2. The Benefits of Stillness
Stanzas 3-4
The poet begins to explain the positive outcomes of such a pause. He imagines a world where silence stops violence and exploitation. He also reflects on how this stillness would allow people to understand each other better, leading to a sense of unity. The poet envisions this moment as an “exotic” and peaceful time that brings people closer together.
3. Critique of Human Actions
Stanzas 5-6
Here, the poem shifts focus to a critique of human behavior, particularly violence and environmental harm. The poet mentions wars and the harm people do to nature, like fishermen harming whales and workers hurting their hands. He calls for people to stop these destructive actions, which are typically driven by haste and greed.
4. Reflection on Life and Renewal
Stanzas 7-8
The poem moves to a more philosophical reflection on life. The poet suggests that silence and stillness can lead to a deeper understanding of ourselves and our existence. Drawing inspiration from nature, he compares apparent stillness (like winter) to the hidden life that will later emerge, like the spring after a cold season. This section speaks to hope and renewal that follows moments of quiet reflection.
5. The Final Call for Reflection and Unity
Final Stanza
In the last stanza, the poet returns to the call for silence, urging everyone to keep quiet and reflect. The final lines suggest that this pause can help us renew ourselves, promote peace, and possibly save the world from further destruction. The closing idea emphasizes that through a shared moment of quiet, the world can experience a fresh start.
This division helps in understanding how the poem shifts in its meaning, moving from a simple call for stillness to deeper reflections on life, human actions, and renewal. Each section builds on the previous one, creating a flow of thought that leads to the final call for unity and peace. It shows how different elements come together to deliver the poet’s message of introspection and renewal.
