6.2. Fog - Class 10 - First Flight

Author: Carl Sandburg

Textbook Name & Genre: First Flight – Poetry (Free Verse)

Subject: CBSE Class 10 English Language and Literature

Summary

Carl Sandburg’s poem “Fog” describes a brief natural event through the extended image of a cat. At the beginning, fog arrives quietly and gently. The poet does not describe it as a loud or violent force; instead, its movement resembles the soft, almost unnoticed steps of a cat. This comparison immediately suggests silence, grace and mystery.

Next, the fog seems to settle over the harbour and the city. From this imagined position, it appears to observe the surroundings, just as a cat may sit still and watch an area attentively. The mention of “silent haunches” strengthens the picture of a cat resting with its hind legs bent. The fog temporarily covers the landscape but makes no sound or dramatic announcement.

Finally, the fog moves away as quietly as it arrived. Its departure is sudden in the poem, yet entirely natural. Through only six lines, Sandburg captures the arrival, pause and disappearance of fog. The poem encourages readers to observe ordinary natural phenomena closely and shows how a simple metaphor can make an invisible or shapeless movement vivid.

Explanation of the Poem

Lines 1–2: Arrival of the Fog

The poet compares the movement of fog to the soft footsteps of a cat. Just as a cat approaches quietly without attracting attention, the fog arrives silently and gradually covers the surroundings.

The comparison highlights the gentle and mysterious nature of fog.

Lines 3–5: The Fog's Stillness

The fog appears to sit and observe the harbour and city. The expression “silent haunches” creates the image of a cat resting with its hind legs bent.

The fog is presented as a quiet observer that temporarily occupies the landscape without disturbing it.

Line 6: Departure of the Fog

The fog eventually moves away without making any sound. Its departure is as quiet as its arrival.

This final movement emphasises the temporary nature of fog and completes the comparison with a cat.

Character Sketch

Although “Fog” does not contain human characters, the poet presents fog through the qualities and behaviour of a cat.

Fog

Traits: Silent, gentle, mysterious, temporary and unobtrusive.

Evidence: The fog arrives quietly, settles over the harbour and city, and eventually moves away.

The fog is the central subject of the poem. Sandburg presents it as a living presence capable of movement and observation. Its silent arrival and temporary stay create an atmosphere of calmness and mystery. The fog does not cause any disturbance in the poet's description. Instead, its movement reflects the quiet and constantly changing nature of the environment.

Cat (Metaphorical Figure)

Traits: Graceful, watchful, silent, independent and unpredictable.

Evidence: The expressions “little cat feet” and “silent haunches” establish the comparison.

The cat is not an actual character in the poem but a metaphor used to describe fog. Cats are known for moving quietly and sitting in watchful positions. Sandburg uses these characteristics to explain how fog enters, settles and disappears. The comparison makes an ordinary natural phenomenon vivid and memorable.

Themes

Central Message

The poem teaches readers to appreciate the quiet beauty and subtle movements of nature. Through the comparison of fog with a cat, Carl Sandburg demonstrates that even ordinary natural phenomena can become fascinating when observed carefully. The poem also suggests that natural conditions are temporary and constantly changing.

Literary and Poetic Devices

Poetic Structure

• Number of Stanzas: One

• Number of Lines: Six

• Rhyme Scheme: No fixed rhyme scheme

• Poetic Form: Free Verse

• Tone: Calm and observant

• Mood: Peaceful and mysterious

• Central Metaphor: Fog compared to a cat

Title Justification

The title “Fog” is appropriate because the entire poem describes this natural phenomenon through the image of a cat. Its silent arrival, watchful pause and quiet departure form the poem's central movement. The simple, direct title suits Sandburg's concise style and encourages readers to observe everyday nature imaginatively.

Reference to Context – Extract-Based Questions

Extract 1 – Arrival of the Fog

Extract:

“The fog comeson little cat feet.”

Q1. Which characteristic of the cat is highlighted through the expression “little cat feet”?

(a) Aggressive behaviour(b) Silent and gentle movement(c) Ability to climb trees(d) Playful nature

Answer: (b) Silent and gentle movement.

Q2. What does the word “little” suggest in the extract?

Answer: The word “little” suggests softness, delicacy and gentleness. It emphasises the quiet and almost unnoticed arrival of fog.

Q3. Why does the poet compare fog to a cat instead of describing it literally?

Answer: The poet compares fog to a cat to create a vivid and imaginative picture of its movement. Just as a cat approaches silently, the fog arrives without attracting attention. The metaphor makes the natural phenomenon easier to visualise and highlights its mysterious quality.

Extract 2 – Departure of the Fog

Extract:

“on silent haunchesand then moves on.”

Q1. What does the expression “silent haunches” suggest?

(a) The fog is moving rapidly.(b) The fog is sitting quietly like a cat.(c) The fog is producing loud sounds.(d) The fog is becoming stronger.

Answer: (b) The fog is sitting quietly like a cat.

Q2. What does the phrase “moves on” mean in the context of the poem?

Answer: The phrase means that the fog eventually leaves the harbour and city after remaining there for some time. It emphasises the temporary nature of the phenomenon.

Q3. What does the final line suggest about the nature of fog?

Answer: The final line suggests that fog is temporary and constantly changing. It arrives silently, remains briefly and eventually disappears. The poet presents this natural movement as quiet, independent and effortless.

Three-Mark Questions (40–50 Words)

Q1. Why does Carl Sandburg compare the fog to a cat?

Answer: Sandburg compares fog to a cat because both can approach quietly and almost unnoticed. The words “little cat feet” suggest soft, silent movement. The fog seems to pause and observe the harbour and city before moving away, much like a cat that sits watchfully and then leaves.

Q2. What is the significance of the harbour and city in the poem?

Answer: The harbour and city establish the setting over which the fog gathers. The scene includes both water and an inhabited urban space, making the fog's spread easy to imagine. The landscape also gives the motionless, watchful fog a broad area to overlook before it moves on.

Q3. Explain the significance of the expression “silent haunches”.

Answer: The phrase “silent haunches” evokes a cat sitting with its hind legs bent beneath its body. By using this image, Sandburg makes the fog seem still, patient and watchful. The description reinforces the extended metaphor and helps readers visualise fog resting temporarily over the surroundings.

Q4. How does the use of free verse contribute to the poem's meaning?

Answer: The poem uses free verse, with no fixed rhyme scheme or regular metrical pattern. Its short lines and uncomplicated language suit the fog's silent arrival and unhurried departure. The flexible structure gives the description a natural flow without distracting from the central image of a cat.

Q5. How does Sandburg transform an ordinary natural phenomenon into a poetic experience?

Answer: Sandburg turns an ordinary weather event into poetry by comparing fog to a cat. Readers can imagine soft footsteps, a watchful pause and a quiet departure, even though fog has no feet or body. The extended metaphor makes an everyday observation vivid, surprising and easy to remember.

Long Answer / Value-Based Questions (6 Marks | 100–120 Words)

Q1. How does Carl Sandburg use the movement of fog to convey the temporary nature of natural phenomena?

Answer: In “Fog,” Carl Sandburg presents nature as quiet, changeable and independent of human plans. The fog arrives on “little cat feet,” suggesting a gentle movement that may go unnoticed. It then seems to sit above the harbour and city, watching the landscape without disturbing it. Finally, the fog moves away, showing that its presence is temporary. These three stages invite readers to notice changes that take place around them without noise or drama. The poem does not turn this into an explicit lesson about life, but readers may connect the fog's departure with the idea that circumstances change. Through a simple cat metaphor, Sandburg makes this natural process memorable.

Q2. Evaluate the effectiveness of the cat metaphor in the poem “Fog”. How does it contribute to the reader's understanding of the natural phenomenon?

Answer: The cat metaphor is effective because it connects the fog's movement, stillness and departure in one familiar image. A cat can approach with soft steps, sit quietly while observing its surroundings and then leave without warning. Sandburg assigns a similar sequence to fog. The comparison helps readers picture a natural phenomenon that has no definite shape. The words “little cat feet” suggest gentle arrival, while “silent haunches” captures the pause over the harbour and city. The final movement completes the image. The poem's brief lines and lack of a fixed rhyme scheme reinforce its calm atmosphere. Overall, the sustained metaphor makes a simple observation precise, imaginative and memorable.

Competency-Based Assessment

A. Assertion and Reasoning

Directions: Read the Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Select the correct option.

(a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.(b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.(c) A is true, but R is false.(d) A is false, but R is true.

Q1.

Assertion (A): Carl Sandburg compares fog to a cat to highlight the silent and gentle nature of its arrival.

Reason (R): Cats often move softly and settle into quiet, watchful positions, resembling the movement and stillness of fog described in the poem.

Answer: (a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.

Explanation: The metaphor of a cat directly supports the description of fog's silent arrival and watchful stillness.

Q2.

Assertion (A): The use of free verse helps the poet present the movement of fog naturally, without a fixed rhythmic structure.

Reason (R): The harbour and city represent the physical surroundings temporarily covered by fog.

Answer: (b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.

Explanation: Both statements are correct. However, identifying the setting does not explain how free verse contributes to the poem's structure or meaning.

Q3.

Assertion (A): The poet presents fog as a permanent presence over the harbour and city.

Reason (R): The final line indicates that the fog eventually moves away.

Answer: (d) A is false, but R is true.

Explanation: The fog's presence is temporary rather than permanent. Its departure confirms the changing nature of the phenomenon.

B. Real-World Connection (HOTS)

Q1. Adapting to Change

Scenario: A student joins a new school and initially feels uncomfortable in the unfamiliar environment. After observing classmates and gradually becoming familiar with the surroundings, the student's uncertainty begins to disappear.

Question: How can the movement of fog in Sandburg's poem be connected to the student's experience?

Answer: The movement of fog can be interpreted as a reminder that unfamiliar situations are often temporary. Just as the fog arrives quietly, remains for a short period and eventually moves away, the student's initial uncertainty may disappear with time and experience.

Although the poem does not directly discuss school life, its depiction of change can help students understand the importance of patience, observation and adaptability.

Q2. Environmental Awareness

Scenario: During winter, a student observes thick fog covering roads and buildings while travelling to school. Instead of merely complaining about the weather, the student notices the unusual appearance of the surroundings and the quiet atmosphere.

Question: How does this experience reflect the central idea of the poem “Fog”?

Answer: The student's experience reflects Sandburg's appreciation of ordinary natural phenomena. The poet transforms fog into a memorable image through careful observation and imagination.

Similarly, the student recognises beauty in a familiar weather condition. This encourages environmental awareness and curiosity. However, the student must also remember that thick fog can reduce visibility and require additional safety precautions.

NCERT Textbook Questions and Answers

Thinking about the Poem

Q1 (i). What does Sandburg think the fog is like?

Answer: Sandburg thinks the fog is like a cat. Its silent arrival, watchful stillness and quiet departure resemble the movements of a cat.

Q1 (ii). How does the fog come?

Answer: The fog comes silently and gently, just like a cat walking on its soft feet.

Q1 (iii). What does “it” in the third line refer to?

Answer: The word “it” refers to the fog.

Q1 (iv). Does the poet actually say that the fog is like a cat? Find three things that tell us that the fog is like a cat.

Answer: The poet does not explicitly state that the fog is like a cat. Instead, the comparison is established through a metaphor.

Three details support this comparison:

1. The fog arrives on “little cat feet”, suggesting silent movement.

2. The fog appears to sit and observe its surroundings.

3. The expression “silent haunches” resembles a cat resting quietly.

Q2 (i). Find metaphors for the following words and explain how they are alike.

Answer:

These are suggested creative responses. Other suitable metaphors may also be accepted.

Q2 (ii). Write a poem about a storm comparing it with an animal.

Answer:

The Roaring Lion

The storm is a lion,Awakening in the sky,Roaring through the valley,As dark clouds hurry by.

It shakes the trees with fury,And races through the night,Then rests behind the mountains,As stars return their light.

This is an original sample poem demonstrating the use of an extended animal metaphor.

Q3. Does this poem have a rhyme scheme?

Answer: No, the poem does not follow a fixed rhyme scheme. It is written in free verse, a poetic form without a regular rhyme scheme or metrical pattern.

End

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