Quick Revision Notes: Class 10 English (Poetry)

Chapter: Fog

Board: MP Board (Madhya Pradesh Board of Education)

1. Introduction to the Poem

• Poet: Carl Sandburg
• Theme: The poem describes the silent and mysterious arrival and departure of fog in a city and harbor, drawing a brilliant comparison between nature and an animal (metaphorically, a cat).
• Central Idea: Nature is dynamic, quiet, and unpredictable. The poet personifies fog as a living creature that moves stealthily without disturbing anyone.

2. Important Vocabulary & Meanings ( शब्दार्थ )

• Fog (कोहरा): A thick cloud of tiny water droplets suspended in the atmosphere at or near the earth's surface.
• Little Cat Feet (बिल्ली के छोटे पैर): Refers to the silent, soft, and stealthy footsteps of a cat.
• Harbor (बंदरगाह): A place on the coast where ships may moor in shelter.
• Sits Looking (बैठकर देखना): The still and observant posture of the fog over the city and water.
• Moves On (आगे बढ़ जाना): The sudden or gradual disappearance of the fog.

3. Literary Devices (Poetic Devices) used in the Poem

Understanding poetic devices is crucial for MP Board examinations (Extract-based questions and short answers).

• Metaphor (रूपक अलंकार):
  • The fog is directly compared to a cat. There are no words like 'like' or 'as'.
  • Example: "The fog comes / on little cat feet." (Fog = Cat).
• Personification (मानवीकरण अलंकार):
  • Giving human or animal qualities to non-living things.
  • Example: The fog is given the qualities of a cat—it comes on feet, sits, and looks over the harbor.
• Free Verse (मुक्त छंद):
  • The poem is written in free verse. It does not follow any specific rhyme scheme or meter, mimicking the natural and unpredictable movement of fog.

4. Summary of the Poem (सार)

1. Arrival of the Fog: The fog arrives silently and stealthily, just like a cat walking softly on its little feet.
2. Action in the City: It covers the city and the harbor, sitting quietly and observing everything around it from a high vantage point.
3. Departure: After staying for some time, it moves on just as silently as it came, leaving the city behind.

5. Important Questions for Practice (MP Board Exam Focus)

• Q1: Which animal is the fog compared to in the poem?
  • Answer: The fog is compared to a cat.
• Q2: How does the fog come?
  • Answer: The fog comes silently and stealthily, just like a cat walking on its little feet.
• Q3: What does 'it sits looking' refer to?
  • Answer: It refers to the fog pausing and covering the city and the harbor, overlooking the landscape like a resting cat.
• Q4: Name the poet of the poem 'Fog'.
  • Answer: Carl Sandburg.