DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL-BOPAL, AHMEDABAD
CLASS: X SUBJECT- ENGLISH
STUDY MATERIAL
Fog- Carl Sandburg
The poem Fog by Carl Sandburg is very short but deep and profound. It was written by the
poet while he was on his way to take interview of a judge. On the way, he saw fog. He had
Japanese Haiku (poetry) with him. He decided to write an English Haiku. In the poem, the
poet compares fog with cat. According to him, fog comes slowly and silently like a cat, sits
quietly and watches the surroundings and finally goes away silently. Each line is followed by
mystery. It looks like something will happen but nothing happens and the poem ends. There
can be many themes in the poem which we will discuss below.
Theme of Nature
The first and foremost theme reflected in the poem is the theme of nature. The poet is
describing the independent and patient nature of fog as well as cat. According to him, the fog
as well as cat creeps into the human’s world without any warning or notice. Like the cat, fog
is patient and silent. It stands still at one place and finally goes away. We can notice how
nature is a part of our lives and can dominate us. e.g. when the fog comes, everything comes
to a halt. We cannot travel or see each other. It does not have any physical force yet it affects
us.
Theme of Change
Another important theme reflected in the poem is the theme of change. Change is inevitable.
The city and the harbour were calm and quiet. But soon fog appears which dominates the
whole city, bringing change. However, it also does not remain there forever and goes away.
The poet is suggesting that change is a part and parcel of our lives. We should learn to live
with change and never think that anything good or bad will remain for eternity.
Theme of Hope
Another theme in the poem is the theme of hope and betterment. The problems are in our
lives. They come like fog or like cat i.e. without warning and occupy our head. However,
they do not remain there forever and go away. Hence, we should be hopeful and never think
that our problems will always remain with us.
Message
The poem Fog gives the message of change and hope. Change is the integral part of nature
as well as of humans. Everything changes. In the poem, we find that the city was quiet and
everything was normal. However soon fog appears and puts everything into halt. However, it
does not remain there forever and finally goes away.
1. Read the following extract carefully and answer the questions that follow:
The fog comes
on little cat feet.
It sits looking
over harbour and city
on silent haunches
and then moves on.
a. How does the fog come?
Ans. The fog comes on little cat feet.
b. Where does the fog look and how?
Ans. It looks over the harbour and the city, like a cat sitting on its haunches.
c. What does the fog do in the end?
Ans. In the end, the fog moves on.
d. For what does ‘it’ stand in the third line?
Ans. Here, ‘it’ is the little cat as well as the fog.
2. Answer the following in about 30 to 40 words each.
Q1. How does the poet employ the double imagery of the fog and the cat?
Ans. The poetic device of metaphor is very effectively used in the poem. The fog is
converted into a cat and the cat is morphed back into the fog. The silent arrival of the fog is
like a little cat. The fog stays there sitting like the cat on its haunches.
Q2. Describe the similarities that have been mentioned in the poem between the fog and a cat.
Ans. It is a dual image that changes and merges again in the original. The fog changes into a
cat and the cat changes into the fog. Both of them come silently unseen and suddenly. Both
engulf everything underneath them. The fog engulfs everything, the harbour and the city in its
fold. The fog sits silently as a cat sits on its haunches. Then it disappears and moves ahead.
Q3. Which aspect of nature Carl Sand-burg presents in the poem ‘Fog’?
Ans. The poet presents nature in its raw and natural state. The fog comes as if from nowhere.
It comes suddenly and silently like a little cat. The fog’s power is overwhelming. It engulfs
everything, the city and the harbour in its all-embracing fold. Then following the law of
change, it disappears, no one knows where.
Q4. Does the poet actually say that the fog is like a cat? Then how do we know that the fog is
like a cat?
Ans. The poet compares fog to a cat. A cat comes without making any noise and goes away.
In the same way, the fog comes and spreads slowly and silently over harbour and city.
3. Answer the following in about 120-150 words.
1. Explain the metaphorical reference as used in the poem ‘Fog’? Do you think it is
appropriate?
Answer: In the poem ‘Fog’, Carl Sandburg metaphorically compared the fog to a cat. The
first strange thing about the metaphor is the comparison of a phenomenon with a living
animal. Perhaps the poet wants to emphasize the silent nature and mysterious ways of the fog,
so he has compared the fog to a cat. A cat does not make a sound when it walks. So also, is
the fog, but its presence is apparent. Its “silence” is very much like that of a cat moving on its
little feet.
Then the fog stays in its place looking over the harbour and city which creates a hazy
atmosphere all around. The way it sits is very much like a cat sitting on its haunches, looking
here and there before it makes a move. This is as if the fog remains a silent spectator of the
happenings in the city. Whatever the purpose may be, both the fog as well as a cat make their
impression and make their presence felt. The comparison of the fog to a cat seems very
appropriate because, reading the poem, one feels that truly, the fog approaches stealthily, just
like a cat.
2. How does Carl Sandburg describe the arrival, stay and departure of fog through the
image of a metaphorical cat?
Answer: The poet employs a double image. The fog is converted into a cat and the cat
morphs back into the fog. The arrival of the fog is silent and sudden. It comes as if from
nowhere. Its arrival is like a small cat. It sits and stays for a while. It engulfs everything in its
all-embracing fold. It spreads its fold everywhere from the harbour to the city. It sits silently
as a cat sits on its haunches. The fog stays but not for long. A cat never stays at one place for
a long time. So, the fog moves ahead no one knows where. Carl Sandburg describes the raw
aspect of nature, the all-embracing and prevailing fog. Its silent power is felt everywhere
from the harbour to the city.
