Question:
Discuss how the poems ‘Keeping Quiet’ and ‘A Thing of Beauty’ draw attention to the importance of beauty and introspection. (Keeping Quiet and A Thing of Beauty)
Discuss how the poems ‘Keeping Quiet’ and ‘A Thing of Beauty’ draw attention to the importance of beauty and introspection. (Keeping Quiet and A Thing of Beauty)
Show Hint
In poem comparisons, focus on how poetic devices express key themes like introspection, healing, or transformation.
Updated On: Jul 4, 2025
Hide Solution
Verified By Collegedunia
Solution and Explanation
The poems *Keeping Quiet* by Pablo Neruda and *A Thing of Beauty* by John Keats explore how introspection and appreciation of beauty can transform the human experience. Both poets call for a moment of pause from the chaos of daily life and encourage a deeper connection with the self and nature. In *Keeping Quiet*, Neruda advocates for silence and stillness, suggesting that humanity should stop all activity for a moment to reflect. This brief suspension of routine would foster understanding, unity, and peace. The poem critiques modern life’s restlessness and war-driven motives, proposing that quietude can lead to self-awareness and a renewed respect for life. Introspection becomes a tool for personal and collective transformation. Keats’ *A Thing of Beauty*, on the other hand, celebrates beauty as a source of eternal joy and spiritual healing. Nature, art, and noble human deeds are seen as antidotes to despair and negativity. Beauty provides a shelter, uplifting the human spirit and helping people cope with life’s struggles. For Keats, beauty is not superficial—it is a deep, soul-enriching force that renews hope and encourages contemplation. While Neruda seeks transformation through silence and inward reflection, Keats finds it through the outward appreciation of nature’s beauty. Yet both poets converge on the idea that stepping away from materialism and violence into a state of mindful awareness—whether through quiet or beauty—can restore balance and meaning in life.
Was this answer helpful?
0
0
Top Questions on Keeping quiet
- How would humanity benefit if people maintained silence? (Keeping Quiet)
- CBSE CLASS XII - 2025
- English Core
- Keeping quiet
- Read the following extract and answer the following questions:
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.
(Keeping Quiet)
(i) Select the phrase from the extract that suggests the ceaseless activity in our daily life.
(ii) What does the imagery of ‘single-mindedness’ not represent?
(A) flexibility
(B) unwavering determination
(C) dedication
(D) persistent efforts
(iii) Complete the sentence:
In the line, ‘might interrupt this sadness’, the phrase ‘this sadness’ refers to ___.
(iv) The poet has used phrases like ‘never understanding ourselves’ to illustrate the ___ (irony/humour) in continuous movement without reflection.
(v) Assertion: The poet emphasizes the need for productive silence and reflection.
Reason: Purposeless continuous movement leads to sadness and existential threats.
Choose the correct option:
(A) Both are true, but reason is not the correct explanation.
(B) Both are true, and reason is the correct explanation.
(C) Assertion is true, reason is false.
(D) Assertion is false, reason is true.
(vi) State in one sentence what advice you would give to people who are always busy.- CBSE CLASS XII - 2025
- English Core
- Keeping quiet
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.
(Keeping Quiet)- CBSE CLASS XII - 2025
- English Core
- Keeping quiet
- What will counting up to twelve and keeping still help us achieve?
- CBSE CLASS XII
- English
- Keeping quiet
- What symbol from Nature does the poet invoke to say that there can be life under apparent stillness?
- CBSE CLASS XII
- English
- Keeping quiet
View More Questions
Questions Asked in CBSE CLASS XII exam
- A battery of emf \( E \) and internal resistance \( r \) is connected to a rheostat. When a current of 2A is drawn from the battery, the potential difference across the rheostat is 5V. The potential difference becomes 4V when a current of 4A is drawn from the battery. Calculate the value of \( E \) and \( r \).
- CBSE CLASS XII - 2025
- Current electricity
- Fit a straight-line trend by the method of least squares for the following data:
\[ \begin{array}{lcccccc} \text{Year:} & 2011 & 2012 & 2013 & 2014 & 2015 & 2016 \\ \text{Production (in tons):} & 210 & 225 & 275 & 220 & 240 & 235 \end{array} \]
- CBSE CLASS XII - 2025
- Financial Mathematics
- Compute the seasonal indices by 4-year moving averages from the given data of production of paper (in thousand tons):
\[ \begin{array}{lcccccccccc} \text{Year:} & 2001 & 2002 & 2003 & 2004 & 2005 & 2006 & 2007 & 2008 & 2009 & 2010 \\ \text{Index:} & 2450 & 1470 & 2150 & 1800 & 1210 & 1950 & 2300 & 2500 & 2480 & 2680 \\ \end{array} \]
- CBSE CLASS XII - 2025
- Financial Mathematics
- If \( A = \begin{bmatrix} 2 & -3 & 5 \\ 3 & 2 & -4 \\ 1 & 1 & -2 \end{bmatrix} \), find \( A^{-1} \) and hence solve the system of equations:
\( 2x - 3y + 5z = 11 \)
\( 3x + 2y - 4z = -5 \)
\( x + y - 2z = -3 \)
- Using properties of determinants, prove that
\[ \Delta = \begin{vmatrix} (b + c)^2 & a^2 & a^2 \\ b^2 & (c + a)^2 & b^2 \\ c^2 & c^2 & (a + b)^2 \end{vmatrix} = 2abc(a + b + c)^3 \]- CBSE CLASS XII - 2025
- Determinants
View More Questions