Poem Fog by Carl Sandburg: Summary, Explanation, and Important Questions!

Discover the hidden depths of the poem Fog by Carl Sandburg with our comprehensive guide. From metaphorical insights to line-by-line explanations, explore this captivating poem’s themes and structure. Perfect for students seeking clarity on free verse poetry and Class X Board exam prep!

Summary of Poem Fog by Carl Sandburg

Carl Sandburg’s poem Fog is a short, vivid piece that describes how fog approaches and envelops a city. The poet compares the fog to a cat, silently creeping in on its “little cat feet.” Like a cat, the fog arrives quietly, observes the surroundings, and then moves on without making a sound. This comparison captures the mystery and transience of natural phenomena. Through this metaphor, Sandburg highlights the delicate balance between nature and urban life, showing how even a bustling city can be subdued by the quiet, mysterious arrival of fog.

Line by Line Explanation of the Poem Fog

1. “The fog comes”
   The poet introduces the subject of the poem, describing how the fog appears out of nowhere, much like an uninvited guest.
2. “on little cat feet.”
   The fog is likened to a cat, which moves silently and stealthily. This metaphor emphasises the quiet and subtle nature of fog as it envelops its surroundings.
3. “It sits looking”
   The fog, like a resting cat, seems to pause and observe. This gives it a watchful, almost contemplative character.
4. “over harbour and city”
   The fog covers both natural and man-made landscapes, symbolising its reach and its ability to bridge different environments.
5. “on silent haunches”
   This line reinforces the cat metaphor, portraying the fog as crouching silently, ready to move at any moment.
6. “and then moves on.”
   The fog doesn’t linger for long; it passes by quietly, leaving no trace of its presence, much like a cat wandering away after its watchful pause.

Theme of the Poem Fog

The central theme of Fog revolves around the transience of natural phenomena and their silent but powerful influence on the human world. Through the cat metaphor, Sandburg explores the mysterious, ephemeral nature of fog and its ability to silently dominate urban landscapes, reminding us of nature’s quiet authority.

Answers for ‘Thinking about the Poem’ Section

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Question 1 (Very Short Answer Type):

(i) What does Sandburg think the fog is like?
Sandburg thinks the fog is like a cat, quiet and stealthy.

(ii) How does the fog come?
The fog comes silently and mysteriously, creeping on “little cat feet.”

(iii) What does ‘it’ in the third line refer to?
‘It’ refers to the fog in the poem.

(iv) Does the poet actually say that the fog is like a cat? Find three things that tell us the fog is like a cat.
The poet uses phrases such as “on little cat feet,” “sits looking,” and “on silent haunches” to compare the fog to a cat.

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Question 2 (Short Answer Type):

(i) Find metaphors for the following words and complete the table.

Word	Metaphor	Explanation
Storm	Tiger	Pounces over the fields, growls
Train	Snake	Moves in a long, winding motion
Fire	Lion	Roars with intensity, devours everything
School	Hive	Buzzing with activity and energy
Home	Nest	A place of warmth, comfort, and safety

(ii) Think about a storm and write a poem comparing it with an animal.
The storm growls like a mighty lion,
Its roars echo from dusk till dawn.
It pounces with power, fierce and wild,
Then fades away, calm as a child.

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Question 3 (Short Answer Type):

Does this poem have a rhyme scheme? Poetry that does not have an obvious rhythm or rhyme is called ‘free verse’.
No, Fog does not have a rhyme scheme. It is written in free verse, which allows for greater flexibility in expressing ideas without a fixed pattern.

Extract Based MCQs from the Poem Fog

Set 1

Extract:
“The fog comes
on little cat feet.”

1. What is the fog compared to in the poem?
   a) A dog
   b) A cat
   c) A bird
   d) A shadow
   Answer: b
2. How does the fog approach, according to the poet?
   a) Noisily
   b) Slowly and steadily
   c) Silently and stealthily
   d) With thunder and lightning
   Answer: c
3. Which literary device is used in “on little cat feet”?
   a) Simile
   b) Metaphor
   c) Personification
   d) Alliteration
   Answer: b

Set 2

Extract:
“It sits looking
over harbour and city
on silent haunches.”

1. What does “harbour and city” signify?
   a) Only urban areas
   b) Both natural and man-made landscapes
   c) Countryside regions
   d) Industrial zones
   Answer: b
2. What is the mood of the poem in these lines?
   a) Chaotic
   b) Calm and reflective
   c) Energetic
   d) Fearful
   Answer: b
3. What quality of the fog is highlighted by “on silent haunches”?
   a) Its noisiness
   b) Its agility
   c) Its stillness and silence
   d) Its brightness
   Answer: c

Important Questions from the Poem Fog

1. What is the central metaphor in the poem?
   The fog is metaphorically compared to a cat, emphasising its silent and stealthy movement.
2. Why does the poet describe the fog as sitting on “silent haunches”?
   The phrase highlights the fog’s quiet and motionless nature as it settles briefly before moving on.
3. How does the poem reflect the transient nature of fog?
   The fog arrives silently, stays briefly, and then moves on, symbolising the impermanence of natural phenomena.
4. What does the fog symbolise in the poem?
   The fog symbolises mystery, quiet power, and the transient yet impactful presence of nature.
5. Why do you think the poet chose a cat to represent the fog?
   A cat embodies qualities like stealth, grace, and independence, aligning with the fog’s quiet and mysterious character.

Literary Devices Used in the Poem Fog

Carl Sandburg’s Fog is a simple yet powerful poem enriched with literary devices that enhance its imagery and impact. Let’s explore these poetic tools:

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1. Metaphor
   The most striking device in the poem is the metaphor. The fog is compared to a cat. This comparison helps readers visualise how the fog moves quietly and mysteriously, much like a cat sneaking around on soft paws.
2. Personification
   The fog is given human-like qualities, such as sitting and looking over the harbour and city. This device brings the fog to life, making it seem as if it has a personality and purpose.
3. Imagery
   The poem uses vivid imagery to paint a picture of the fog. Phrases like “on little cat feet” and “on silent haunches” allow readers to imagine the quiet and soft arrival of fog, covering the landscape with a calm yet eerie presence.
4. Free Verse
   The poem does not follow any specific rhyme scheme or rhythm. This free verse structure mirrors the unpredictable and free movement of fog, which does not follow set patterns.
5. Alliteration
   The repetition of the ‘s’ sound in “silent haunches” adds a soft, hissing quality, imitating the quiet nature of fog.
6. Enjambment
   The poem flows naturally, with no full stops at the end of lines. This device, known as enjambment, creates a seamless movement, just like the fog that glides effortlessly over the city and harbour.