Fog
"Fog" by Carl Sandburg: A Poetic Encounter with Nature's Mystery
Explore the enchanting world of Carl Sandburg's "Fog," a captivating poem that breathes life into the ethereal phenomenon of fog. This literary masterpiece invites readers on a journey where nature takes on a mysterious and almost human-like presence.
Dive into the verses that beautifully liken the fog to a creature with "little cat feet," silently making its way through landscapes, harbours, and cities. Sandburg's words paint a vivid picture of the fog, embodying it with qualities reminiscent of a cat's quiet, contemplative movements.
Discover the power of personification as the fog sits on "silent haunches," observing the world with a calm and watchful demeanour. The poet skilfully weaves a tapestry of imagery, making the fog not just a weather phenomenon but a transient, sentient being.
Uncover the subtle metaphors that compare the fog to a cat, unravelling the shared characteristics of stealth, unpredictability, and fleeting beauty. As you read, envision the fog as it moves with the grace of a feline, leaving behind a sense of quiet awe and mystery.
Whether you're a poetry enthusiast or someone seeking a moment of reflection, "Fog" by Carl Sandburg offers a unique and evocative experience. Immerse yourself in the language, the imagery, and the quiet power of this timeless piece that invites you to see the world through the lens of poetic imagination.
Fog
The fog comes
on little cat feet.
It sits looking
over harbour and city
on silent haunches
and then moves on.
CARL SANDBURG
Carl Sandburg (January 6, 1878 – July 22, 1967)
Carl Sandburg was an American poet, writer, and editor, best known for his extensive works that captured the spirit of American life in the early to mid-20th century. He was a three-time Pulitzer Prize-winning author, earning recognition for his contributions not only to poetry but also to biography, journalism, and social commentary.
Early Life: Born in Galesburg, Illinois, Sandburg grew up in a working-class family of Swedish immigrants. His upbringing in the Midwest would later influence much of his writing, providing him with a deep appreciation for the people and landscapes of America.
Journalism Career: Before establishing himself as a renowned poet, Sandburg worked as a journalist. He gained prominence as a reporter for the Chicago Daily News, where he covered a range of topics, from crime to labour issues. His experiences in journalism shaped his understanding of American society and fuelled his passion for storytelling.
Poetry: Sandburg's poetry is celebrated for its accessibility and its focus on the lives of ordinary people. His collection "Chicago Poems" (1916) brought him initial acclaim, reflecting the urban experiences and social struggles of the time. "Fog," as mentioned earlier, is one of the poems from this collection.
In 1951, Sandburg published his most ambitious work, "The People, Yes," a collection of poems and prose that delves into the complexities of American democracy, identity, and social justice. His poetic style often embraced free verse, allowing for a more conversational and democratic tone in his writing.
Prose and Biography: In addition to his poetry, Sandburg was a skilled prose writer. His six-volume biography of Abraham Lincoln, "Abraham Lincoln: The War Years," earned him the Pulitzer Prize for History in 1940. This monumental work showcased his meticulous research and deep understanding of American history.
Legacy: Carl Sandburg's impact on American literature is significant. His ability to articulate the experiences of everyday people, combined with his commitment to social justice, resonated with a broad audience. Sandburg's work reflects the changing landscape of America during his lifetime and continues to be studied and appreciated for its insight into the nation's history and culture.
He passed away on July 22, 1967, leaving behind a rich literary legacy that continues to influence poets and readers alike. Carl Sandburg's work remains an enduring testament to the power of language in capturing the essence of a nation and its people.
"Fog" by Carl Sandburg EXPLANATION OF POEM
Let's break down and analyse the poem in detail.
Title: "Fog" The title immediately introduces the central theme of the poem, which is the natural phenomenon of fog. The word "fog" can carry various connotations, including mystery, obscurity, and a sense of the unknown.
Lines 1-2: "The fog comes on little cat feet."
These lines use personification by comparing the arrival of fog to the quiet and stealthy movement of a cat. The choice of "little cat feet" implies a gentle and almost unnoticed arrival, contributing to the overall mood of subtlety and softness.
Lines 3–4: "It sits looking over harbour and city"
Here, the fog is described as sitting and observing. This anthropomorphic depiction gives the fog a sense of awareness and intentionality, as if it has a purpose or a contemplative nature. The specific mention of the harbour and city suggests that the fog envelops both natural and man-made environments.
Lines 5–6: "on silent haunches and then moves on."
These lines continue the personification, describing the fog as sitting on "silent haunches." The use of "silent" emphasizes the quiet and unobtrusive nature of the fog. The phrase "and then moves on" implies that the fog is transient and ever-changing, reinforcing the idea of impermanence.
Overall, this poem is a concise and vivid portrayal of fog, using personification to give the natural phenomenon human-like qualities. The poet captures the essence of fog as a quiet, observing presence that comes and goes with a sense of mystery and fleeting beauty. The simplicity of the language and the short lines contribute to the poem's brevity and impact.
Anthropomorphic
"Anthropomorphic" is a term used to describe the attribution of human characteristics, emotions, or behaviours to non-human entities, objects, or beings. It involves giving human-like qualities to animals, objects, or abstract concepts. In literature and art, anthropomorphism is a common literary device that helps create a relatable and vivid representation of things that are not human.
In the context of the poem "Fog" by Carl Sandburg, the fog is depicted anthropomorphically when it is described as coming "on little cat feet" and sitting "on silent haunches." These phrases ascribe qualities associated with a cat to the fog, giving it a sense of stealth, quietness, and observation as if it were a sentient being. This literary device allows the poet to create a more engaging and imaginative description of the natural phenomenon, inviting readers to connect with it on a more personal or emotional level.
Anthropomorphic" and "personification" are related concepts, both involving the attribution of human characteristics to non-human entities. However, there are subtle differences between the two terms.
Personification:
Definition: Personification is a broader literary device where human attributes, qualities, or behaviours are given to abstract concepts, inanimate objects, or animals.
Example from the poem "Fog": "The fog comes on little cat feet." Here, the fog is personified by being described with the ability to move on "little cat feet."
Anthropomorphic:
Definition: Anthropomorphism specifically involves attributing human characteristics to animals or deities.
Example from the poem "Fog": "It sits looking over harbour and city on silent haunches." In this case, the fog is anthropomorphized by being described as sitting on "silent haunches," a characteristic associated with animals, particularly mammals.
In summary, while personification is a broader concept that can involve attributing human qualities to anything non-human, anthropomorphism specifically refers to giving human characteristics to animals. In the context of "Fog," both terms apply as the fog is not only personified with human-like actions but also anthropomorphized with animal-like attributes.
In summary, while personification is a broader concept that can involve attributing human qualities to anything non-human, anthropomorphism specifically refers to giving human characteristics to animals. In the context of "Fog," both terms apply as the fog is not only personified with human-like actions but also anthropomorphized with animal-like attributes.
Thinking about the text
1. (i) What does Sandburg think the fog is like?
(ii) How does the fog come?
(iii) What does ‘it’ in the third line refer to?
(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.
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i) What does Sandburg think the fog is like?
Sandburg thinks the fog is like a cat. The comparison is made explicitly in the first line: "The fog comes on little cat feet." This simile suggests that the fog shares characteristics with a cat, such as quiet and stealthy movement.
(ii) How does the fog come?
The fog comes in a subtle and quiet manner. The poet uses the simile "on little cat feet" to describe the arrival of the fog. This implies a gentle and unnoticed approach.
(iii) What does ‘it’ in the third line refer to?
The "it" in the third line refers to the fog. The line reads, "It sits looking over harbour and city." Here, "it" is a pronoun used to refer to the fog, which is personified as if it has the ability to sit and observe.
(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.
Yes, the poet does say that the fog is like a cat. Three things that tell us this are:
The metaphor in the first line: "The fog comes on little cat feet." This directly compares the fog to the quiet and subtle movement of a cat.
The use of the word "sits" in the fourth line: "It sits looking over harbour and city." This action of sitting is commonly associated with cats.
The mention of "silent haunches" in the fifth line: "on silent haunches." Haunches are a term often used to describe the hindquarters of animals, including cats. This reinforces the comparison between the fog and a cat.
2. You know that a metaphor compares two things by transferring a feature of one thing to the other
(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.
Rhyme Scheme
3. Does this poem have a rhyme scheme? Poetry that does not have an obvious
rhythm or rhyme is called ‘free verse’.
(ii) Poem about the Storm:
In the heart of the tempest, the tiger roars,
Pouncing over fields, a force that soars.
Its growls echo through the darkened sky,
Nature's fury, fierce and high.
Thunderclaps, the tiger's mighty roar,
Lightning dances, a wild encore.
Raindrops fall, a rhythmic beat,
Nature's symphony, both wild and sweet.
Winds howl, the tiger's breath,
Sweeping across the land, bringing death.
Yet in its chaos, a strange allure,
A beauty that's hard to ignore.
Then, a sudden calm begins to unfold,
The tiger's fury starts to hold.
Nature's temper tantrum, now at rest,
Leaving behind a world refreshed.
(iii) Rhyme Scheme:
The provided poem does not have a rhyme scheme. Poetry that lacks a discernible pattern of rhyme or meter is often referred to as "free verse." Free verse allows for greater flexibility in expression without adhering to the constraints of a specific rhyme scheme or rhythmic pattern.
Haiku
A haiku is a type of Japanese poem that has 17 syllables divided into three lines of 5, 7, and 5 syllables. The word haiku is derived from the Japanese word hokku which means “starting verse”