Fog-CBQA

 

Fog

Competency-based Questions & Answers

 

1. Stealth is an important aspect of fog. State any two instances from the poem “Fog” that suggest the same.

The poem “Fog” strongly highlights the stealthy nature of fog through quiet, subtle imagery. The first instance is the line “It comes on little cat feet”, which immediately conveys the silent and almost unnoticed arrival of fog. Cats are known to walk softly without making any noise, and by comparing the fog to a cat, the poet makes it clear that fog approaches quietly, without any warning.

The second instance is “It sits looking over harbour and city”. The word “sits” suggests that the fog does not disturb anything; instead, it settles gently and silently. Like a cat that quietly observes its surroundings without drawing attention, the fog covers the city in an almost ghost-like manner.

Both these references show that the fog's movement is subtle, unannounced, and mysterious—capturing its stealth perfectly.

 

2. Highlight any two characteristics of fog from its description in the poem and justify your choice of characteristics briefly.

The poem presents fog as having two significant characteristics: mysterious movement and transient presence.

Firstly, the fog moves quietly and mysteriously, expressed through the comparison “little cat feet.” Cats are known for their silent grace, and this metaphor communicates that fog does not enter with force but with a soft, unnoticed presence. This characteristic reflects how fog naturally appears—slowly, creeping in without a sound.

Secondly, the fog is temporary and shifting**, shown through the phrase “moves on.” Fog stays for a while, observing the harbour and city, but then it gradually lifts and shifts away. This temporary nature is typical of fog, which never stays permanently but drifts based on the wind and weather conditions.Thus, these characteristics—mysterious movement and transience—perfectly capture the behaviour of fog as described by the poet.

 

3. Is the fog portrayed as a resident of the city or as an outsider? Support your answer with two such references from the poem “Fog”.

The fog in the poem is portrayed as an outsider rather than a resident. It appears unexpectedly and leaves without establishing a permanent connection with the city.

The first reference supporting this idea is “It comes on little cat feet.” The fog arrives as though entering from elsewhere, almost like a visitor creeping into the city. Nothing indicates that it belongs there or is a natural inhabitant.

The second reference is “moves on.” After observing the harbour and city for a short period, the fog departs, just like a guest who stops briefly and goes away. A resident would remain or belong to the place, but the fog does neither.

Thus, the poem depicts the fog as a passing outsider—a temporary visitor that drifts into and out of the city quietly and unpredictably.

 

4. Would you describe the role of the fog as active or passive? Support your answer with reference to the poem “Fog”.

The fog’s role in the poem may appear passive at first glance, but it is actually active in its presence and movement. Though it remains silent, it influences the atmosphere significantly.

The fog actively arrives: “It comes on little cat feet.” The word “comes” is an action verb, suggesting intention in the way the fog enters the city. It is not static or lifeless; instead, it behaves as though it chooses to approach.

Further, the fog actively observes, shown in “It sits looking over harbour and city.” The poet gives it an animated role, as if it is watching like a living creature.

Finally, the fog actively departs: “moves on.” Its movement signals that it plays a dynamic role, altering the environment as it appears and disappears.

Thus, while quiet and subtle, the fog is portrayed as an active force in the poem.

 

5. Why does the poet use the phrase “silent haunches”? Substantiate your answer with reference to the poem “Fog”.

The phrase “silent haunches” deepens the comparison of fog to a cat. Cats often squat on their haunches when they sit quietly and survey their surroundings. By using this phrase, the poet emphasizes both the posture and silence of the fog.

Fog, like a cat, does not make noise or disturb its environment. It simply settles over the harbour and city, creating a still and calm atmosphere. The word “haunches” captures the image of a cat’s poised, alert, yet relaxed body, ready to either continue observing or move away.

 

Similarly, fog sits quietly—neither aggressive nor intrusive—yet fully enveloping everything in sight. The metaphor highlights the fog’s grace, subtlety, and watchfulness, reinforcing the theme of quiet arrival and departure.

Thus, “silent haunches” reflects the fog’s delicate yet powerful presence as it rests over the city.

 

6. Comment, in detail, on the significance of the closing phrase of the poem-“moves on”.

The closing phrase “moves on” is significant because it captures the transient and ever-changing nature of fog. Fog never stays permanently; it shifts with the wind and weather, drifting from one place to another. By ending the poem with this phrase, the poet emphasises that fog is temporary—it comes quietly, stays a while, and then leaves with equal quietness.

This movement also reflects the larger theme of impermanence in nature. Just like the fog, many experiences in life arrive silently and disappear without warning. The phrase also brings closure to the extended metaphor of the cat. Cats typically sit, observe, and then suddenly walk away. The fog behaves exactly like this.

Thus, “moves on” symbolises change, motion, and the fleeting nature of natural phenomena, making it a powerful conclusion to the poem.

 

7. In the poem “Fog”, the poet features the fog as animated. If you had to write a similar poem for one other natural phenomenon, which animal would you use to convey the characteristics of that particular phenomena? Justify, in detail, your choice of animal corresponding to it by bringing out similarities.

If I were to write a similar poem, I would choose the owl to represent nightfall. Night approaches quietly and envelopes the world with a mysterious calmness—much like an owl emerging silently from its hiding place.

Owls are creatures of the night. They appear without sound, with wings that glide smoothly through the air. Similarly, night does not arrive suddenly; it slowly spreads its darkness across the sky, just as an owl spreads its wings.

Owls are also observant and watchful, symbolising how night watches over sleeping cities. The way an owl sits on a tree branch, scanning its surroundings, matches how night settles over towns, covering streets, rooftops and fields in deep stillness.

 

Just as the poet animates fog as a cat, I would animate night as an owl to show its quiet arrival, mysterious presence, all-seeing nature, and slow retreat at dawn.

 

8. Do you agree with the poet’s comparison of fog to a cat or do you feel some other image would have done justice to the poem? Justify your answer by substantiating your claims with examples.

I agree completely with the poet’s comparison of fog to a cat because the qualities of a cat closely resemble the behaviour of fog. Cats walk silently, as though floating on soft feet. Fog too arrives quietly, almost unnoticed, making the metaphor very apt.

Moreover, cats often sit calmly, observing their environment without participating. This aligns perfectly with the line “It sits looking over harbour and city.” Fog also settles gently over the landscape, watching everything beneath it.

When cats lose interest, they get up and stroll away without drama, just as the fog “moves on” after a brief stay.

Although one could compare fog to a ghost or a veil, these images lack the softness, grace and natural movement captured through the cat metaphor. Thus, Sandburg’s choice of a cat is both vivid and precise, strengthening the poem’s imagery and appeal.

 

9.The poet beautifully compares the fog to a cat. Choose any two animals from ‘How to Tell Wild Animals’ that do not have qualities that can be drawn out to be compared with a fog.

Two animals from “How to Tell Wild Animals” that cannot be compared to fog are the lion and the hyena.

The lion is described as roaring loudly and attacking forcefully. Fog, however, is silent, gentle and non-threatening. A lion’s aggressive and powerful nature completely contrasts the quiet, creeping movement of fog.

The hyena, known for its unpleasant laughter, is noisy and chaotic. Fog does not produce sound or behave in a disruptive way. It does not laugh, howl or scare; instead, it softly envelopes the surroundings.

Both animals possess loud, dramatic characteristics that do not match the fog’s softness, subtlety and mysterious calmness. Therefore, neither the lion nor the hyena could effectively symbolise fog.