Get summary, questions, answers, notes, PDF of the chapter/poem “The Fog” which is part of TBSE (Tripura Board) class 10 English (First Flight) syllabus. However, the materials provided here should only be used for references and the students are encouraged to make modifications to them wherever they can and need.
Summary
“The Fog” is a short poem written by Carl Sandburg. It describes the movement of fog as it approaches the harbor and city. The poet compares the fog to a cat that moves quietly and swiftly. It sits and observes the surroundings before moving on.
This poem is written in free verse and consists of six lines. The comparison between the fog and a cat creates a vivid image in the reader’s mind. The cat is known for its quiet and sneaky movement, and it is often associated with mystery and intrigue. The poet uses this metaphor to describe the fog’s movement as it approaches the city.
The use of personification in the poem is also noteworthy. The poet describes the fog as having “little cat feet” and sitting “on silent haunches.” This personification helps to create a sense of movement and life within the fog, making it seem almost like a living creature.
The repetition of the word “moves” in the final line emphasises the transient nature of the fog. It comes and goes quickly, much like a cat that roams from place to place. The use of enjambment in the poem also creates a sense of movement and flow, adding to the overall effect of the fog’s movement.
Video tutorial
Thinking about the poem
1. (i) What does Sandburg think the fog is like?
Answer: Sandburg thinks that the fog is like a cat.
(ii) How does the fog come?
Answer: The fog comes “on little cat feet,” as described by the poet Carl Sandburg. This metaphor suggests that the fog moves in silently and smoothly, much like a cat.
(iii) What does ‘it’ in the third line refer to?
Answer: Here, “it” is used to refer to the fog, which is personified as if it were a cat sitting and observing the surroundings.
(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: Yes, the poet Carl Sandburg uses a metaphor to compare the fog to a cat. Here are three things that tell us that the fog is like a cat:
i. The fog “comes on little cat feet.” This suggests that the fog moves in silently and smoothly, much like a cat.
ii. The fog “sits looking over harbor and city on silent haunches.” This personifies the fog as if it were a cat sitting and observing the surroundings.
iii. The fog “moves on.” This implies that the fog is transient and unpredictable, much like a cat that comes and goes as it pleases.
2. You know that a metaphor compares two things by transferring a feature of one thing to the other (See Unit 1).
(i) 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 |
Answer:
| Storm | tiger | pounces over the fields, growls |
| Train | horse | modes of transportation that move quickly and efficiently |
| Fire | a hungry beast | consuming and destructive |
| School | beehive | busy places where individuals work together towards a common goal |
| Home | sanctuary | places of refuge and safety, where one can feel comfortable and at ease. |
(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.
Answer: The Storm
The storm comes roaring like a beast,
A hungry tiger on the prowl.
Its growling voice, a savage feast,
A symphony of nature’s howl.
It pounces over fields and trees,
Its claws ripping the world apart.
Its eyes ablaze with deadly ease,
It strikes fear deep in every heart.
But then, a sudden calm descends,
A silence after all the sound.
The storm has run its frenzied trends,
Its fury spent upon the ground.
The sun comes out, a new day born,
The world now peaceful, calm, and free.
And though the storm may have caused harm,
It’s just a part of nature’s harmony.
3. Does this poem have a rhyme scheme? Poetry that does not have an obvious rhythm or rhyme is called ‘free verse’.
Answer: No, the poem doesn’t have a rhyme scheme. It is a free verse.
Additional/extra questions and answers
1. What is the mood of the poem “The Fog”?
Answer: The mood of the poem is mysterious and eerie.
5. How does the poet use personification in the poem?
Answer: The poet personifies the fog by describing it as sitting on “silent haunches” and moving on “little cat feet.” This gives the fog a sense of agency and makes it seem almost alive.
Ron’e Dutta is a journalist, teacher, aspiring novelist, and blogger who manages Online Free Notes. An avid reader of Victorian literature, his favourite book is Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë. He dreams of travelling the world. You can connect with him on social media. He does personal writing on ronism.
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