Fog - NCERT Class 10, First Flight, Chapter 6 Poem - Summary, Questions, Answers, Extra Questions, MCQs

Detailed summary, explanation, and analysis of the poem 'Fog' by Carl Sandburg. Find all the important questions, answers, extra questions, and MCQs from NCERT Class X, First Flight.

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Introduction to the Poem - Fog

Carl Sandburg’s poem “Fog” is a short and powerful depiction of a natural phenomenon. Written in a few simple lines, the poem compares the movement of fog to the quiet, deliberate steps of a cat. The poem captures the quiet arrival, stillness, and eventual departure of fog over a city and a harbor. Sandburg’s choice of metaphor and imagery brings out the subtlety and mysterious nature of fog, making it seem almost like a living, breathing entity. The poem is known for its vivid imagery and minimalistic style, portraying how the fog, much like life, comes and goes quietly and unpredictably.

Summary of the Poem - Fog

Summary in English

The poem "Fog" by Carl Sandburg uses an extended metaphor to compare the fog’s movement to the way a cat silently approaches and moves away. The poem opens with the fog creeping in quietly, almost stealthily, on its “little cat feet.” It suggests that the fog arrives without much noise or disturbance, just like a cat. The fog then "sits" and watches over the harbor and city, representing how the fog covers everything, obscuring the landscape, yet remains calm and still. This personification of fog gives it a life-like quality, making it appear gentle but mysterious. Finally, the fog moves on as silently as it came, just like a cat would, leaving behind no trace of its presence. The brevity of the poem mirrors the transient nature of fog itself—temporary, quiet, and always moving.

Summary in Hindi

“फॉग” (कोहरा) कार्ल सैंडबर्ग द्वारा रचित एक छोटी और शक्तिशाली कविता है, जो कोहरे के आगमन और प्रस्थान का वर्णन करती है। इस कविता में कवि ने कोहरे की गति की तुलना एक बिल्ली की धीमी और शांत चाल से की है। कविता की शुरुआत में, कोहरा "बिल्ली के पैरों" की तरह धीरे-धीरे और चुपचाप आता है। यह संकेत देता है कि कोहरा बिना किसी आवाज़ या हलचल के आता है, जैसे बिल्ली चुपचाप चलती है। कोहरा फिर "बैठ" जाता है और बंदरगाह और शहर को देखता है, जो यह दर्शाता है कि कोहरा सब कुछ ढक लेता है और दृश्य को अस्पष्ट कर देता है, लेकिन वह शांत और स्थिर रहता है। इस तुलना में कोहरे को एक जीवित प्राणी की तरह प्रस्तुत किया गया है, जो कोमल है लेकिन रहस्यमय भी है। अंततः, कोहरा उसी तरह से चुपचाप चला जाता है जैसे वह आया था, बिना किसी निशान के। कविता की संक्षिप्तता कोहरे की अस्थायी और शांत प्रकृति को दर्शाती है, जो जल्दी आता है और चला जाता है।

Fog - Thinking About the Poem: Questions and Answers

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

The poet Carl Sandburg thinks the fog is like a cat, as it comes silently and mysteriously.

(ii) How does the fog come?

The fog comes quietly and stealthily, much like a cat walking on its soft paws.

(iii) What does ‘it’ in the third line refer to?

In the third line, ‘it’ refers to the fog.

(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.

No, the poet doesn’t directly say that the fog is like a cat, but he compares it through imagery. Three things that tell us the fog is like a cat are:

The fog comes on "little cat feet".
It "sits looking" over the harbor and city, like a cat observing quietly.
The fog "moves on" silently, just as a cat would leave without a sound.

2. (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.

Column 1	Column 2	Column 3
Storm	Tiger	Pounces over the fields, growls
Train	Snake	Slithers through the tracks
Fire	Dragon	Breathes destruction, devours everything in its path
School	Garden	Nurtures growing minds like plants
Home	Nest	Provides warmth, protection, and comfort

(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.

[Encourage students to write their own poem about a storm.]

3. Does this poem have a rhyme scheme? Poetry that does not have an obvious rhythm or rhyme is called ‘free verse’.

No, this poem does not have a rhyme scheme. It is written in free verse, which means it doesn’t follow a regular pattern of rhyme or rhythm. The poem's style mirrors the quiet and unpredictable nature of the fog itself, making free verse the perfect form for it.

About the Author

Carl Sandburg (1878–1967) was a renowned American poet, biographer, and writer. Born in Galesburg, Illinois, Sandburg was a celebrated literary figure known for his free verse style of poetry that often reflected his strong ties to the American people and their experiences. He won three Pulitzer Prizes during his career—two for his poetry and one for his biography of Abraham Lincoln.

Sandburg’s poetry is often noted for its simplicity, vivid imagery, and ability to convey deep meanings through short and powerful verses. He wrote about a wide variety of topics, including the struggles of working-class Americans, the beauty of nature, and the complexity of life. His ability to capture the essence of a moment, like in his famous poem “Fog”, made him a master of modern poetry.

Aside from his poetry, Sandburg was also a historian, a journalist, and a folklorist, whose works left a lasting impact on American literature and culture. His unique voice and his commitment to expressing the lives of ordinary people through his writing make him one of the most respected poets of the 20th century.

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