Fog Class 10 English Notes | YoLearn.ai

Key Points and Must-Remember Facts

• Poet: Carl Sandburg, known for his American Free Verse style.
• Central Metaphor: The poem compares the fog to a cat, emphasizing its silent and stealthy movements.
• Personification: Fog is given human/animal characteristics (sits, looks, moves on).
• Arrival of Fog: Described as silent and gradual, like a cat approaching on 'little cat feet'.
• Observation: The fog 'sits looking' over the city and harbour, implying a calm, watchful presence.
• Departure of Fog: It 'moves on' just as silently and unannounced as it arrived, highlighting its transient nature.
• Setting: The poem places the fog in an urban environment – a 'city' and 'harbour'.
• Structure: The poem consists of two short stanzas and is written in free verse, meaning it has no fixed rhyme scheme or meter, mimicking natural speech and the unconstrained movement of the fog.
• Theme: Explores the subtle, quiet, and temporary presence of nature within human-made environments.

Key Terms & Literary Devices

Fog

A thick cloud of tiny water droplets suspended in the atmosphere at or near the earth's surface that obscures or restricts visibility.

Harbour

A place on the coast where vessels may find shelter, especially one protected from rough weather by breakwaters, usually with docks and port facilities.

Haunches

The back part of an animal's body, especially the hind legs and hindquarters, on which it sits. Used metaphorically here to describe how the fog settles.

Metaphor

A figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable, suggesting a resemblance without using 'like' or 'as'. (e.g., 'Fog comes on little cat feet').

Personification

The attribution of a personal nature or human characteristics to something non-human, or the representation of an abstract quality in human form. (e.g., 'It sits looking...').

Free Verse

Poetry that does not rhyme or have a regular meter. It relies on natural speech rhythms and often emphasizes imagery and thought patterns.

Imagery

Visually descriptive or figurative language, especially in a literary work. It appeals to the senses (sight, sound, touch, smell, taste).

Detailed Explanation of the Poem 'Fog'

Carl Sandburg's poem "Fog" is a short, concise, yet profoundly impactful piece that brilliantly uses a single extended metaphor to describe the natural phenomenon of fog. The poem begins by stating, "The fog comes / on little cat feet." This immediately establishes the central comparison: the fog is like a cat. This comparison is not just about physical appearance but primarily about its manner of arrival and presence. Just as a cat approaches silently and stealthily, the fog too appears without fanfare, its onset quiet and unnoticed.

In the second stanza, the personification continues: "It sits looking over harbor and city / on silent haunches / and then moves on." Here, the fog is attributed the actions of a cat – sitting, looking, and moving on. The phrase "on silent haunches" further strengthens the cat imagery, suggesting the way a cat crouches quietly, observing its surroundings. This creates a vivid visual image for the reader. The fog is depicted as patiently observing the urban landscape, covering the harbour and city in its dense, silent embrace. It doesn't rush or make noise; it simply settles, watches, and then, with the same quiet dignity, departs. The phrase "and then moves on" emphasizes the transient nature of the fog, and by extension, perhaps, the fleeting beauty of natural occurrences in our daily lives. The poem's free verse structure, devoid of a strict rhyme scheme or meter, perfectly complements the natural, unhurried, and unpredictable movement of the fog, giving the poem a fluid and organic feel. Sandburg masterfully captures a moment of nature's subtle intrusion into the human world, highlighting its quiet power and ephemeral existence.

Understanding Key Poetic Devices

Exam Preparation Tips for 'Fog'

When answering questions on 'Fog,' always remember to link your analysis back to the central metaphor of the fog as a cat. Examiners look for detailed explanations of how this comparison works and what it conveys about the fog's nature. Pay close attention to poetic devices like personification and imagery; identify examples from the poem and explain their effect. Don't just name the device, but explain why it's effective. Focus on the mood and tone (quiet, observational, subtle). Practice writing answers that articulate the transient yet impactful presence of nature described by Sandburg. Ensure you understand the significance of free verse in this particular poem, connecting it to the natural, unconstrained movement of the fog. Common mistakes include simply summarizing the poem rather than analyzing its poetic techniques and deeper meaning.

Quick Revision Check

• Q: How does the poet describe the arrival of the fog? A: The poet describes the arrival of the fog as silent and stealthy, comparing it to a cat coming 'on little cat feet', emphasizing its quiet and unnoticed approach.
• Q: What does the phrase 'on silent haunches' imply about the fog? A: It implies that the fog settles down calmly and quietly, much like a cat sits patiently with its hind legs tucked under its body, observing its surroundings.
• Q: Name two poetic devices used in the poem 'Fog'. A: Two key poetic devices are Metaphor (comparing fog to a cat) and Personification (attributing cat-like actions to the fog).
• Q: What is the main characteristic of the fog that the poet highlights? A: The poet primarily highlights the fog's silent, gradual, and transient nature, emphasizing its ability to appear, observe, and disappear without drawing much attention.

Frequently Asked Questions