KEEPING QUIET
PABLO NERUDA
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Pablo Neruda (1904 – 1973) was the ‘pen name’ and later, ‘legal name’ of this famous Chilean poet – diplomat – politician.
He won the Noble prize for literature in the year 1971. He wrote in green ink which was his personal
symbol for desire and hope. His writings are simple, wherein lies their beauty.
Originally written in Spanish, the essence of this poem is based on introspection and retrospection.
The poet feels that some soul – searching is needed for us to be at peace with ourselves and others.
Introduction to the lesson
The poem “Keeping Quiet” written by Pablo Neruda discusses the need of maintaining peace and silence.
He stresses upon being quiet and harmless to the human beings, animals and environment.
He suggests that in order to maintain peace and harmony, it is required to stop and introspect ourselves.
First stanza
Now we will count to twelve
and we will all keep still.
For once on the face of the Earth
let’s not speak in any language,
let’s stop for one second,
and not move our arms so much.
Second stanza
It would be an exotic moment
without rush, without engines,
we would all be together
in a sudden strangeness.
Fishermen in the cold sea
would not harm whales
and the man gathering salt
would look at his hurt hands.
Third stanza
Those who prepare green wars,
wars with gas, wars with fire,
victory with no survivors,
would put on clean clothes
and walk about with their
brothers
in the shade, doing nothing.
Fourth stanza
What I want should not be
confused
with total inactivity.
Life is what it is about;
I want no truck with death.
If we were not so single-minded
about keeping our lives moving,
and for once could perhaps a huge silence
might interrupt this sadness
of never understanding ourselves
and of threatening ourselves with death.
Fifth stanza
Perhaps the Earth can teach us
as when everything seems dead
and later proves to be alive.
Now I’ll count up to twelve
and you keep quiet and I will go.
LITERARY DEVICES
1ST STANZA
Assonance: Use of vowel sound ‘o’ and ‘e’ (Now we will count to twelve, not move our arms so much)
Anaphora: Two consecutive lines starting with the word ‘Let’s’
let’s not speak in any language,
let’s stop for one second,
Alliteration: the repetition of a consonant sound at the start of 2 or more closely placed words.
‘we will’ - ‘w’ sound is repeated
Alliteration- ‘we would’ - ‘w’ sound is repeated, ‘sudden strangeness’ - ‘s’ sound is repeated, ‘his hurt hands’ - ‘h’ sound is repeated
2ND STANZA
3RD STANZA
Alliteration: ‘wars with’ - ‘w’ sound is repeated, ‘clean clothes’ - ‘c’ sound is repeated
Assonance: use of vowel ‘o’ (victory with no survivors, would put on clean clothes and walk about with their brothers)
Repetition: use of ‘war’
4TH STANZA
Alliteration: we were, so single - minded
Enjambment: and for once could perhaps a huge silence……..of threatening ourselves with death.
5th stanza
SYMBOL: Art is the symbol hope and life
Rhyming scheme of the poem
The poem is written in free verse. It does not follow any rhyme scheme.