Fog Class 10 English First Flight Chapter 6 (Poem) CBSE Notes (2025-26)

"Fog" is the sixth poem in the CBSE Class 10 English First Flight textbook, written by Carl Sandburg. The poem presents fog as a living creature, comparing its movement and presence to that of a cat. Using very few words, the poet creates a vivid and memorable image of the fog creeping quietly and mysteriously into a city. This short poem is often used in CBSE exams to help students understand the use of metaphor, imagery, and free verse in poetry.

Summary of the Poem "Fog" Fog comes quietly and suddenly, resting for a short while before moving away. Sandburg compares fog with a cat, showing its silent arrival “on little cat feet” and how it sits looking “over harbour and city / on silent haunches.” Just like a cat, the fog arrives softly, sits still for some time, and then moves on. The entire poem uses this extended metaphor, making the fog both mysterious and gentle.

Literary Devices in the Poem

• Metaphor: The entire poem is a metaphor. The fog is compared to a cat, giving the fog animal-like qualities.
• Imagery: The poem creates a visual image of fog coming softly and sitting over the city like a cat.
• Personification: The fog is described as if it is a living creature capable of action.
• Free Verse: The poem does not follow a regular rhyme or rhythm, and is an example of free verse poetry.

Line-by-Line Explanation

• The fog comes / on little cat feet. – The fog appears quietly and slowly just like a cat entering a place gently, making hardly any noise.
• It sits looking / over harbour and city / on silent haunches / and then moves on. – The fog rests over the city like a cat sits on its bent legs, quietly observing everything, and then it leaves without a sound.

Key Features of the Poem

• The poem compares natural phenomena with animals, making it easier to visualize and understand for readers.
• It is very short, with only six lines, yet captures the whole idea efficiently.
• The language is simple and direct, suitable for all ages.
• The poet’s comparison makes us see common things — like fog — in a new light.

Important Questions & Answers

• What does Sandburg compare fog to?
  – Sandburg compares the fog to a cat.
• How does the fog arrive, according to the poem?
  – It comes quietly and lightly, like a cat walking on soft feet.
• What activities does the fog perform in the poem?
  – The fog comes, sits over the city and harbour, observes, and then moves away.
• Is there a rhyme scheme in this poem?
  – No, the poem is written in free verse.

Metaphors and Comparison Table

Why is the Fog Compared to a Cat?

• The fog arrives silently, the way a cat walks without a sound.
• It sits quietly (on “haunches”) and watches, like a cat observing its surroundings.
• The fog disappears with the same quietness and suddenness as a cat leaves a place.

Exercises for Practice

• Explain how the poem uses metaphor to describe the fog’s movement.
• List three ways the fog’s behaviour and a cat’s actions are similar, as shown in the poem.
• Is there any rhyme scheme in "Fog"? Identify the features of free verse in this poem.

Key Points to Remember

• The poem "Fog" is simple but deep, using animals as metaphors for natural events.
• Understanding poetic devices like metaphor and imagery is essential for scoring well in the exam.
• Knowing examples of metaphors and free verse poetry will help in answering both MCQ and descriptive questions.
• The poem is often used in grammar and comprehension questions to test observation of poetic style.

Conclusion The poem "Fog" encourages readers to observe nature carefully and find comparisons in their everyday experiences. Sandburg’s comparison between fog and a cat makes it memorable and easy to visualize, turning an ordinary weather event into something magical and poetic. This poem is an excellent exercise for students to practice identifying poetic techniques and to build confidence in poetry analysis.

Class 10 English Chapter 6 Poem Fog Revision Notes – Complete NCERT Key Points

These Class 10 English First Flight Chapter 6 Poem Fog revision notes cover all critical points, summary, and poetic devices from the NCERT textbook. Using these notes will help you easily recall metaphor, imagery, and poetic features for board exams and class tests. Understanding the central theme of “Fog” is now simple with straightforward, exam-focused explanations.

With these CBSE Class 10 English Chapter 6 Poem Fog notes, you can revise important summary points and key poetic devices quickly. All essential exam-related details are arranged for easy learning and fast last-minute preparation. Get clear about metaphors, imagery, and free verse before your English exam.