Class 10 English - WEST-BENGAL
Poetry: Fog
Fog is a short and evocative poem by Carl Sandburg included in the Class 10 English syllabus for West Bengal Board of Secondary Education (WBBSE). The poem vividly describes the arrival of fog over a city and harbor, comparing it to a cat through an extended metaphor. It matters significantly for board exams as students are frequently tested on comprehension, rhyming schemes, poetic devices like metaphor and enjambment, and central themes. Understanding this poem helps students appreciate how simple natural phenomena can be creatively personified, scoring well in both short answer and reference-to-context questions.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Extended Metaphor
The entire poem compares the fog to a living cat, sustaining this comparison across multiple lines to show similarities in stealth, movement, and posture.
Personification
The fog is given human or animal-like living qualities, such as having 'little cat feet' and sitting silently.
Free Verse
The poem is written in free verse, meaning it does not follow a specific rhyming scheme or metrical pattern, reflecting the unpredictable nature of fog.
Silent Movement
Both fog and cats arrive quietly and unexpectedly without making any noise, highlighting the stealthy nature of the weather phenomenon.
Transient Nature
Just as a cat moves away after sitting for a while, the fog also lingers briefly over the harbor and city before moving on.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the WBBSE Class 10 English examination, this chapter typically carries around 4 to 6 marks. Common question types include multiple-choice questions (MCQs), short answer type questions (2-3 marks) focusing on the cat metaphor, and reference-to-context questions requiring explanation of lines like 'It sits looking / over harbor and city'.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central idea of the poem Fog?
The central idea is the comparison between the silent, stealthy arrival and departure of fog and a cat.
Why does the poet compare the fog to a cat?
The poet compares fog to a cat because both move silently on little feet, sit quietly observing their surroundings, and leave without warning.
Does the poem Fog have a rhyming scheme?
No, the poem is written in free verse and does not have any fixed rhyme scheme.
Learn Poetry: Fog with Your AI Tutor
10 different ways to study this chapter. Free for 3 chapters per day.
Lecture
Key Points
Interactive
Quiz
Flashcards