1. What will be counting up to twelve and keeping still help us achieve?
View AnswerAns. Counting up to twelve and keeping still help us achieve our mental peace. We become more self-aware. We can introspect ourselves only once we are still. Even scientific studies have proved that self-awareness and mental peace brings wonderful results.
2. Do you think the poet advocates total inactivity and death?
View AnswerAns. No, the poet does not advocate (recommend) total inactivity and death. Poet advises for a little pause in form of introspection, which will ultimately result in better outcomes.
3. What is the ‘sadness’ that the poet refers to in the poem?
View AnswerAns. The ‘sadness’ that the poet refers to in the poem is man’s own unconscious actions and overthinking. A person who has taken so many degrees, who understands the laws of physics and universe often fails to understand his own body mechanism. This the tragedy of his life.
4. What symbol from Nature does the poet invoke to say that there can be life under apparent stillness?
View AnswerAns. The poet does not want his readers to confuse stillness with complete inactivity or death. Therefore, he gives an example of Nature. Nature, despite being still, is always at work. And it keeps the earth alive.
This idea is beautifully illustrated by the following lines: “as when everything seems dead and later proves to be alive.”