Fog Poem, Analysis, Theme, Structure & NCERT Solutions
BY CARL SANDBURG
Thinking About the Poem (Page 115)
The fog comes
on little cat feet.
It sits looking
over harbour and city
on silent haunches
and then moves on.
Fog Poem Analysis –
Sandburg’s poem “Fog” is a short but powerful piece that uses personification and vivid imagery to describe the arrival and departure of fog. The poem captures the essence of fog as it creeps into a city, observing everything in its path.
The first line, “The fog comes on little cat feet,” sets the tone for the poem, as Sandburg personifies the fog as a cat, creeping in silently and almost unnoticed. The second line continues this metaphor, as the fog “sits looking over harbour and city” like a cat observing its surroundings.
In the third line, Sandburg creates a sense of stillness and quietness by using the word “silent” to describe the fog. This adds to the eerie and mysterious atmosphere that the fog creates.
The fourth line, “on silent haunches,” further reinforces the metaphor of the fog as a cat, as cats often sit on their haunches when observing something.
Finally, in the last line, the fog “moves on,” indicating that its presence is fleeting and temporary. The use of personification throughout the poem makes the fog seem like a living creature, adding to the sense of mystery and wonder that it creates.
Overall, Sandburg’s “Fog” is a masterful example of how just a few lines of poetry can convey a powerful image and evoke strong emotions in the reader.
Poem Fog Structure
- it is a Free Verse poem without any rhyming scheme
- It is a short poem of 6 lines only
- it is inspired by the Japanese haiku style of poetry.
What is the main theme of the poem fog?
ANS: The main theme of the poem fog –
- appreciation of natural beauty
- transience
The poem says that fog comes silently and goes away unnoticed. It suggests that many things in life are temporary and constantly changing, and it is important to appreciate and savour these moments while they last.
On the other hand, if one wants to focus on the beauty and mystery of the natural world, the theme of appreciation of natural beauty might be more relevant. The poem portrays the fog in a way that emphasizes its beauty and mystery, suggesting that we should appreciate and admire the natural world around us.
What is the main literary device used in the poem fog?
ANS: Main literary device of the poem fog is – Personification
Personification |
A literary device in which an inanimate object or an idea is given human qualities. |
The writer used personification to convey her ideas. |
Fog Poem NCERT Solutions
Question 1.
1. What does Sandburg think the fog is like?
ANS: Sandburg thinks that the fog is like a cat.
2. How does the fog come?
ANS: The fog comes silently like a cat on its little feet.
3. What does ‘it’ in the third line refer to?
ANS: ‘It’ refers to fog.
4. 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.
ANS: The poet does not actually say that the fog is like a cat, but he uses a cat as a metaphor for fog.
The following three things tell us that the fog is like a cat-
- It comes silently on its little feet.
- It sits there for some time on its haunches
- It disappears without notice.
Q 2 (i) You know that a metaphor compares two things by transferring a feature of one thing to the other.
1. Find metaphors for the following words and complete the table below. Also, try to say how they are alike. The first is done for you.
Storm | Tiger | Pounces over the fields, growls |
Train | ||
Fire | ||
School | ||
Home |
ANS: Metaphors
Storm | Tiger | Pounces over the fields, growls |
Train | bullet | runs really fast |
Fire | anger | becoming red at peak |
School | temple | teaches moral values |
Home | 1. zoo 2. Castle | 1. too many family members 2. for someone who feels like a king |
2 (ii). Think about a storm. Try to visualise the force of the storm, hear the sound of the storm, feel the power of the storm and the sudden calm that happens afterwards. Write a poem about the storm comparing it with an animal.
ANS:
The storm rages like a wild beast,
Unleashing fury, never to cease.
Its howling winds like a savage roar,
Sending shivers down to the very core.
The lightning strikes like a serpent’s sting,
The thunder rolls like a lion’s king.
The rain pours down like a mighty flood,
Nature’s wrath, a spectacle that’s never good.
But as quickly as it began, it ends,
The beast, tamed, finally amends.
The skies clear up, the sun shines bright,
The calm after the storm, a wondrous sight.
For though the storm may be fierce and wild,
It leaves behind a sense of peace, mild.
And in its wake, a world reborn,
Such is the power of a storm, like an animal born.
2nd Poem about Storm
The storm is like a wild animal,
With a lot of force that’s unstoppable.
The sound of the storm is like a roar,
And it makes you feel scared to your very core.
The lightning strikes like a snake’s bite,
The thunder sounds like a lion’s might.
The rain falls like a really big flood,
It’s something you don’t want to be caught in the mud.
But after all the wildness, the storm finally ends,
And you’re left with a feeling that it amends.
The skies clear up and the sun shines bright,
It’s a wonderful feeling after such a fright.
3rd poem compares storms with animals
The storm is like a big, wild beast,
With lots of power that won’t cease.
The storm makes a loud, scary sound,
And shakes the earth all around.
The lightning strikes like a snake,
The thunder roars like a lion’s wake.
The rain falls hard like a big flood,
And it can cover everything in mud.
But after the storm, the sky is clear,
The sun shines bright, and there’s nothing to fear.
The storm is like an animal strong,
And it can help the world to grow and be reborn.
Q 3 Does this poem have a rhyme scheme? Poetry that does not have an obvious rhythm or rhyme is called ‘free verse’.
ANS: This poem does not have a rhyme scheme as the sentences do not end with like sounds. Yes, the poem is written in free verse.