Following literary devices/figures of speech have been used in the poem Keeping Quiet:

1. Alliteration: It is the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words. e.g. “we will count”, “sudden strangeness”, “stop for one second”, “his hurt hands”, “clean clothes”.
2. Repetition: It is the repetition of phrases in the poem for poetic effect. e.g. “without rush, without engines“.
3. Symbolism: The poet uses various symbols in the poem. e.g. “Brothers” symbolise mankind, “green wars” refer to deforestation, “wars with gas” refers to pollution, “clean clothes” symbolise change of perspective, “shade” symbolises protection etc.
4. Antithesis: It is  the juxtaposition of opposing or contrasting ideas. e.g. “count to twelve and we will all keep still”. Here counting and keeping still are contrasting activities and are put together.
5. Personification: it is the attribution of human characteristics to non-human things and animals. e.g. “Earth can teach us as when everything“.
6. Metaphor: It is used to make a comparison between two things that aren’t alike but do have something in common. e.g. “shade” refers to protection.
7. Enjambment: It is the continuation of a sentence to the next line/stanza. In the poem, many sentences continue to multiple lines. e.g. “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.” etc.

Play quiz on Keeping Quiet

Summary of Keeping Quiet

When we will count unto twelve and keep still and silence, we will shun all the work which we are doing. Instead, we will introspect ourselves and recognise our actions against earth and humanity. There will be a sense of togetherness as we all will be speaking the universally understood language (silence). There will be unity, fraternity and peace. The world will be a better place to live in.

• Play quiz on Keeping Quiet
• Summary of Keeping Quiet