Class 10 English - KARNATAKA

Poetry: Fog

Fog by Carl Sandburg is a short, beautiful poem prescribed for Class 10 English under the Karnataka Secondary Education Examination Board (KSEEB). The poem describes the slow and silent arrival of fog over a city and harbor, comparing it metaphorically to a cat. Through this imagery, the poet highlights the quiet and mysterious nature of nature. For board exams, this chapter is crucial as it tests students' ability to identify poetic devices like metaphors and extended comparisons, and to appreciate the visual imagery created by the poet.

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Key Concepts

Extended Metaphor

The entire poem compares the fog to a cat, sustaining this comparison from the arrival of the fog to its eventual departure.

Cat-like Characteristics

The fog comes 'on little cat feet,' emphasizing its silent, stealthy, and unannounced movement just like a cat walking.

Sitting and Looking

The fog 'sits looking over harbor and city,' which personifies it and suggests a calm, silent observer resting on silent haunches.

Departure of Fog

Just as quietly as it arrives, the fog moves on, capturing the transient and temporary nature of weather phenomena.

Visual Imagery

The poet creates a vivid mental picture of a misty city and harbor, helping readers visualize the thick blanket of fog.

Important Formulas

Metaphor: Direct comparison between two unrelated things (Fog = Cat)
Enjambment: Continuation of a sentence without a pause beyond the end of a line
Personification: Giving human or animal qualities to an inanimate object (Fog acting like a cat)

Board Exam Info

In the Karnataka (KSEEB) Class 10 English examinations, this poem typically carries 2 to 4 marks. Questions usually include 1-mark multiple-choice or comprehension questions, and 2-3 mark reference-to-context questions or short answers explaining the central theme and the comparison between the fog and a cat.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the poet compare the fog to?

The poet compares the fog to a cat, highlighting its silent arrival, movement, and posture.

Why does the poet say the fog comes 'on little cat feet'?

It means the fog arrives very quietly, stealthily, and without making any noise, just like a cat walking on its paws.

What is the central theme of the poem 'Fog'?

The central theme is the beauty, quietness, and transience of nature, showcased through a vivid comparison between fog and a cat.

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