Keeping Quiet Central Idea, Reference Context Explanation Class 12

आज के इस ब्लॉगपोस्ट Keeping Quiet Central Idea, Reference Context Explanation Class 12 में हम Class 12 NCERT English Flamingo Poetry Chapter 2 के Exam Oriented Questions पढ़ने जा रहे हैं। हम सबसे पहले इस चैप्टर का Central Idea फिर Reference to Context Explanation उसके बाद Difficult Words Meaning का अध्ययन करेंगे।

Keeping Quiet Central Idea

The central idea of the poem ‘Keeping Quiet’ is the importance of introspection, peace, and unity. The poet highlights how a moment of silence can help people become more aware of their actions, leading to mutual understanding and a more harmonious world. It advocates for a break from the chaos of life, allowing us to reconnect with ourselves and nature. The poem ultimately conveys a message of universal brotherhood and peaceful coexistence.

or

The central idea of the Keeping Quiet poem is self-introspection, peace, and unity. The poet urges humans to pause, reflect on their actions, and embrace silence to foster harmony, environmental awareness, and a deeper understanding of life.

Keeping Quiet Central Idea in Hindi

कविता ‘कीपिंग क्वाइट’ का केंद्रीय विचार आत्मनिरीक्षण, शांति और एकता का महत्व है। कवि इस बात पर प्रकाश डालते हैं कि कैसे मौन का एक पल लोगों को अपने कार्यों के बारे में अधिक जागरूक होने में मदद कर सकता है, जिससे आपसी समझ और अधिक सामंजस्यपूर्ण दुनिया बनती है। यह जीवन की अराजकता से विराम लेने की वकालत करता है, जिससे हम खुद से और प्रकृति से फिर से जुड़ सकते हैं। कविता अंततः सार्वभौमिक भाईचारे और शांतिपूर्ण सह-अस्तित्व का संदेश देती है।

अथवा

‘कीपिंग क्वाइट’ कविता का मुख्य विचार आत्म-निरीक्षण, शांति और एकता है। कवि मनुष्यों से आग्रह करते हैं कि वे रुकें, अपने कार्यों पर विचार करें और सद्भाव, पर्यावरण जागरूकता और जीवन की गहरी समझ को बढ़ावा देने के लिए मौन को अपनाएं।

ये पोस्ट Class 12 NCERT English Flamingo Poetry Chapter 2 ka Full Solution होने वाला है। मैं चाहूँगा की अगर आपने अभी तक Keeping Quiet ka Summary नहीं पढ़ा है तो जरूर पढ़ लें; क्योंकि इससे आपको इस चैप्टर को समझने में काफी मदद मिलेगी।

Keeping Quiet Reference Context Explanation

Neruda’s Keeping Quiet is a philosophical poem that urges people to embrace silence and self-reflection to bring peace, harmony, and deeper understanding in life. He encourages readers to pause, introspect, and learn from nature to create a better world.

So let’s start explaining Keeping Quiet Class 12 with reference to context. Below are given the context, and explanation of all the stanzas of this chapter.

[a] 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.

Reference: The above stanza has been taken from the poem ‘Keeping Quiet’ which is composed by ‘Pablo Neruda’.
Context: The poem emphasizes the importance of silence and introspection in human life.

Explanation: The poet urges everyone to pause and remain silent for a moment. Counting to twelve symbolizes unity and completeness, referring to the twelve hours on a clock or twelve months in a year. He asks people to stop speaking different languages, which often create divisions, and to avoid unnecessary movements, which symbolize restless human activities. This moment of stillness will allow humans to reflect on their actions and promote peace and harmony.

[b] It would be an exotic moment
without rush, without engines,
we would all be together
in a sudden strangeness.

Reference: As above.
Context: In this stanza Neruda’s appeal for silence and stillness.

Explanation: The poet describes this moment of silence as “exotic”—something rare and beautiful. In this state, there would be no rush, no mechanical noise from engines, and no distractions. This stillness would bring people together in a “sudden strangeness”, meaning an unusual yet refreshing experience of unity and peace. The poet suggests that such silence can help humans feel connected to each other, breaking barriers of language, conflict, and differences.

[c] Fishermen in the cold sea
would not harm whales
and the man gathering salt
would look at his hurt hands.

Reference: As above.
Context: These lines highlight the impact of human actions on nature and themselves.

Explanation: The poet gives examples of human exploitation—fishermen harming whales and salt gatherers ignoring their injuries. Fishermen symbolize environmental destruction, while the salt gatherer represents the pain of labourers who work without considering their suffering. If people paused for a moment, they would become more aware of the harm they cause to both nature and themselves. This reinforces Neruda’s message of self-reflection and compassion.

[d] 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.

Reference: Same as above.
Context: These lines condemn human violence and war.

Explanation: The poet criticizes wars and destruction, especially those harming the environment (“green wars”), chemical warfare (“wars with gas”), and wars fought with fire and weapons. He mocks the idea of “victory with no survivors,” showing how war leads to pointless destruction. If people embraced silence and self-reflection, even war-makers would abandon violence, wear clean clothes, and live peacefully with their fellow humans. This highlights the need for universal peace and brotherhood.

[e] What I want should not be confused
with total inactivity.
Life is what it is about;
I want no truck with death.

Reference: Same as above.
Context: Here, the poet clarifies the meaning of his message.

Explanation: Neruda explains that he does not promote complete inactivity or death. Instead, he encourages people to take a brief pause for introspection. He believes that life is about living meaningfully, not just rushing through it. By saying, “I want no truck with death,” he rejects the idea that stillness means lifelessness. His goal is to help humans live better, not to stop living altogether.

[f] If we were not so single-minded
about keeping our lives moving,
and for once could do nothing,
perhaps a huge silence
might interrupt this sadness
of never understanding ourselves
and of threatening ourselves with death.

Reference: Same as 1st stanza.
Context: This stanza reflects on the constant busyness of human life.

Explanation: The poet observes that people are too obsessed with movement and work, always striving for progress but never understanding themselves. If they took a moment of silence, they could break free from this sadness—the sadness of never truly knowing themselves and constantly inviting destruction through conflicts, wars, and reckless lifestyles. This stanza emphasizes self-awareness and mindfulness as a way to avoid self-destruction.

[f] 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.

Reference: Same as above.
Context: In these final lines, the poet draws an important lesson from nature.

Explanation: The poet suggests that nature can teach humans an important lesson—even when things appear dead, they later come back to life. This is a metaphor for renewal and transformation. Silence does not mean the end; rather, it can lead to new beginnings, just as trees shed their leaves in winter but bloom again in spring. In the last line, Neruda leaves the message to the readers, inviting them to reflect while he steps back.

Keeping Quiet Difficult Words Meaning

WordsMeanings
stillquiet or motionless (शांत या स्थिर)
facecanvas (धरातल या फलक)
rushhuddle (haste) (भीड़-भाड़)
exoticunusual and special (अनोखा और विशेष)
strangenessunfamiliarity (अपरिचितता)
fishermenpeople who catch fish (मछुआरे)
harminjure or damage (हानि पहुँचाना)
gatheringcollecting (इकट्ठा करना)
shadeshadow or shelter (छाया या आश्रय)
total inactivitycomplete lack of movement (पूरी तरह निष्क्रियता)
truck withassociation with (संबंध रखना)
single-mindedfocused only on one thing (एक ही चीज़ पर ध्यान केंद्रित करना)
interruptto break continuity (बाधा डालना)
sadnessfeeling of sorrow (उदासी)
threateningcausing danger (खतरा पहुँचाना)
victorysuccess in war or competition (जीत)
survivorspeople who remain alive (बचे हुए लोग)
proveshow as true (साबित करना)

Jalandhar Paswan is pursuing Master's in Computer Applications at MMMUT Campus. He is Blogger & YouTuber by the choice and a tech-savvy by the habit.

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