Question 1
What does the poet think the fog is like?
The poet thinks the fog is like a cat. He uses a metaphor to compare the movement and behavior of the fog to that of a cat.
Question 2
How does the fog come?
The fog comes silently. The poet describes it as coming “on little cat feet,” which implies a stealthy, quiet approach, just like a cat walking softly without making any noise.
Question 3
What does “it” in the third line refer to?
In the third line (“It sits looking…”), “it” refers to the fog.
Question 4
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.
No, the poet does not use the words “like” or “as” (which would be a simile). He uses a metaphor by directly attributing cat-like qualities to the fog.
Three things that show the comparison:
Three things that show the comparison:
- “On little cat feet”: This suggests the fog arrives silently and stealthily, just like a cat.
- “Sits looking… on silent haunches”: A cat often sits with its knees bent (haunches) while observing its surroundings. The fog similarly settles over the harbor and city, appearing to watch over them.
- “Then moves on”: Cats are independent and unpredictable; they stay for a while and then leave. Similarly, the fog does not stay forever; it eventually disappears or moves away.