The Interview

The Interview

                                  By Christopher Silvester

Analysis: 

·       The chapter ‘The Interview’ is taken from ‘The Penguin Book of Interviews’ edited by Christopher Silvester.  The Penguin Book of Interviews is an anthology from 1859 to the Present Day.

·       Christopher Silvester was a student of history at Peterhouse, Cambridge. He was a reporter for Private Eye for ten years and has written features for Vanity Fair.

·       The chapter ‘The Interview’ offers the rich history and multifaceted nature of interviews highlighting divergent functions, different opinions and their impact on the popularity of celebrities.

·       The chapter includes appreciation, admiration, awe and reflection on interview speaking about the important role of interview in the making of the  authors, leaders, business people, film stars and celebrities.

·       The author celebrates the interview as a vivid and accountable feature of journalism through Penguin Book of Interviews. The lesson explores the complex nature of interviews and their impact on individuals and society. 

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Summary  /  Synopsis

Part I

§  In the chapter ‘The Interview’ the author describes interview as a vivid and accountable feature of journalism. The chapter imparts due credit to the interviews for the popularity of many famous personalities and celebrities. Thousands of famous people and celebrities have been interviewed over the years. Despite many drawbacks and displeasure of many famous people interview is credited to be an effective medium of getting clear impression of people and personalities. The interviewer holds a position of great power and influence.

§   The chapter highlights the divergent opinions about the functions and impact of interview. Some view interviews as 'a valuable source of truth'. The practice of interviews is an art. The questions asked and the answers given reach us the readers in the simplest form. 

     Many celebrities hate being interviewed as they see the interview as 'unwanted intrusion in their lives' and 'soul-stealing'. Various historical figures like Lewis Carroll and Rudyard Kipling express disdain for interviews, considering them immoral and an offense against person. Other celebrities such as V, S. Naipaul feels that 'during an interview people lose a part of themselves', H. G. Wells calls it 'an ordeal' and Saul Bellow considered it as unpleasant and offensive calling it 'thumbprints on his windpipe'.

§     Despite these negative perceptions, the text argues that interviews remain a powerful medium of communication, shaping our impressions of contemporaries and endowing interviewers with unprecedented power and influence.

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 Part II

§      The second part of the lesson shifts its focus to an actual interview with Umberto Eco, a well known professor and novelist. The interviewer, Mukund Padmanabhan, engages Eco in a conversation about his prolific career that spans academic scholarship and fiction writing. Eco, known for his work on semiotics and his bestselling novel "The Name of the Rose," discusses his diverse interests. He reveals a philosophical approach to his work, emphasising a continuity of ethical and philosophical themes across various genres such as novels and children's books. Umberto tells a secret about him that we have lot of empty spaces and he utilises those spaces for doing his work. For an example he had written an article in the interval while he was waiting for him for that interview. He calls this space as 'interstices'

§  The interview discusses Eco's narrative style, characterised by a personal and interactive style. Eco tells the interviewer that he became a novelist by accident. Being a university professor he writes novels on Sunday. Eco explains how his early recognition of the narrative aspect in scholarly books influenced his approach, leading him to write essays with a storytelling element. 

     The interview discusses upon the challenges of being primarily recognised as a novelist despite Eco's identification with the academic community. Eco expresses a degree of discomfort, but acknowledges that his novels provide him with a broader audience. He considers himself among academic community, and not the writers'. He talks about his transition to fiction having started to write in his fifties though he is not disappointed about not starting earlier, unlike his friend Roland Barthes. He wrote 40 scholarly works of non fiction and only 5 novels.

§  The interview also discusses the reasons behind huge success of his novel 'The Name of the Rose' with sale of upto 10 to 15 million copies and 2 to 3 million copies were sold in the U.S. alone. The writer thinks, perhaps it was due to its medieval historical background. The conversation concluded its popularity due to the mysterious preferences of the readers and the timing of its release. His American publisher didn't hope to sell more than 3000 copies. If he had written it 10 years before or after, it would have not been that popular. 

  

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Themes involved in the chapter

The chapter presents a historical perspective on interviews, emphasising their commonplace status in journalism over the past 130 years. The ubiquity of interviews is highlighted, suggesting that virtually everyone who is literate has encountered them. The author acknowledges the diverse opinions surrounding interviews, ranging from extravagant claims of their status as a source of truth and an art form to the celebrities' views about them as intrusive and diminishing. It also highlights that despite drawbacks, interviews remain a crucial and powerful medium of communication holding unprecedented power and influence and shaping public perceptions of contemporaries. 

 'The Interview' amazingly combines historical context with a           contemporary interview to explore the multifaceted nature of interviews. It delves into the perceptions, controversies, and significance of interviews while seamlessly transitioning to a specific case study with Umberto Eco. Through Eco's insights, the interview emphasises the intersection of his academic pursuits, personal philosophy, and the unpredictable dynamics of literary success.

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Important Question Answers

Q1. ‘Several thousand celebrities have been interviewed over the years, some of them repeatedly’, still many of them ‘despise the interview as an unwarranted intrusion in their lives'. Describe the opinions for and against the interview as mentioned in the lesson.

Ans. The interview has become an indispensable feature of journalism today. Several thousand celebrities have been interviewed over the years. Some of them have been interviewed repeatedly. Opinions vary on the interview. Some consider it a source of truth. Some call it a great art. It is the most effective and powerful medium of knowing important persons or celebrities.

Usually celebrities despise being interviewed. They consider it as an 'unwarranted intrusion' into their lives. They somehow feel that it diminishes them. Naipaul feels that people are 'wounded' by interviews. They lose a part of themselves. Lewis Carrol never consented to be interviewed. Rudyard Kipling considered it immoral and an offence against his person. H.G. Wells interviewed Joseph Stalin. But he also considered it as 'an ordeal'. Saul Bellow considered interviews as 'thumbprints on his windpipe'.

In spite of some of these drawbacks, the interview remains 'a supremely serviceable medium of communication.' Because of this, the interviewer holds a position of great power and influence.

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Q2. What picture of Umberto Eco do you form after reading the extract of the interview of Eco that was taken by Mukund Padmanabhan?

Ans. We get an opportunity to draw a picture of Umberto Eco from an interview of the writer. The interviewer Padmanabhan unfolds many aspects of Eco's writings, style and ideas. Eco emerges as a many sided genius.

The interviewer asks Umberto Eco "how can he do all things he does". Eco answers it very modestly. He only gives the impression of doing many things. Actually, he is always doing the same thing. He pursues his philosophical interests through his academic writings as well as writing novels. Eco himself tells the secret of his success. He feels there are a lot of 'empty spaces' in our lives. He calls them 'interstices'. He utilises them to his advantage by writing in the spaces he gets in between.

Umberto Eco prefers himself to be called an academician rather than a novelist. He wrote more than 40 philosophical writings against just five novels. He started writing novels just by accident and that too at a late age of 50. Modesty and honesty are the signs of a great writer like Eco. Mr. Padmanabhan asks the reason behind the huge success of "The Name of the Rose'. Umberto honestly replies that the success of this novel is a mystery even to him. Perhaps he wrote it at an appropriate time. Over all, the interview discusses Umberto Eco's intellectual journey, his philosophy, and the intriguing dynamics of his literary success.

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Poets and Pancakes

Poets and Pancakes

                                  By Asokamitran

Analysis: 

·       The chapter ‘Poets and Pancakes’ is written by Asokamitran, one of the pioneers of Modernism in Tamil literature.

·     The chapter 'Poets and Pancakes' is an excerpt from the book 'My Years with Boss' where the writer recounts his days at Gemini Studios providing a rich and detailed description of Gemini Studios, focusing particularly of the makeup department and the presence of literary figures within the film industry. 

  The chapter explores the dynamics of the Gemini Studios, highlighting a prominent character, Subbu and his impact in the makeup department and film making.

·       This lesson is a beautiful and interesting description of working culture, interests, activities and departments of Gemini Studios in Madras (Chennai). The studio's location in a building adds historical significance and intrigue to its setting.

    'Poets and Pancakes' blends observation, humour, and reflection and provides entertaining glimpse into the world of Gemini Studios and its unique and interesting characters.

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          Summary  /  Synopsis

§      In the chapter 'Poets and Pancakes' the author provides a vivid account of the Gemini Studios, a prominent studio in film industry beginning with makeup department which was situated in a building believed to have been Robert Clive's stables. The chapter strings the peculiarities of the makeup process, the makeup room's atmosphere, and the diverse team of makeup artists. The studio's makeup department resembled a hair-cutting salon with incandescent lights at all angles, that make the makeup application process uncomfortable. There were half a dozen mirrors all around. The chief makeup man was a Bengali followed by senior assistant, a Maharashtrian man. There were junior assistants from Dharwar, Andhra, Burma including some local Tamils, which gave a glimpse of national integration.

§  The narrative introduces the makeup team's hierarchy, where the chief makeup man handles lead actors and actresses, followed by senior assistant who did makeup of second lead heroes and heroines and junior assistant was responsible for comedians. An interesting character, referred to as the 'office boy', a man in his forties plays a crucial role in applying makeup to crowd players with his power of transforming actors into characters. Humorously the author describes it a transformation from a decent looking person into crimson coloured monster and for this truck loads of pancakes, potions and lotions were used. This boy entered the studio to become an actor, lyricist or director. He was a bit of poet, too. He used to see the narrator sitting in his cubicle with French windows and tearing papers. He feels that his talent is wasted in that department. The narrator always prayed for crowd shooting to avoid boredom.

    The office boy is jealous of Kothamangalam Subbu, the No. 2 at Gemini Studios, a brahmin who is excellent in both filmmaking and poetry, stands out as a remarkable personality. He wrote for masses. He wrote original story poems in folk song style. Subbu is depicted as a cheerful, influential and loyal personality. His loyalty has made him identify himself with his boss and he uses all his energy and talent for the advantage of his boss. Film making is so easy when he is around. He played second lead roles but performed better than main actors. The author reflects on Subbu's unique ability to balance his roles and contribute significantly to the success of Gemini Studios during its golden years. The makeup department's office boy, a frustrated individual aspiring for stardom, develops resentment towards Subbu, a multi-talented figure and kind hearted, but not more formally educated than the office boy.

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    The story department also comprised a lawyer who became an instrument in ending the acting career of a haughty but talented actress who burst out in anger on stage and the lawyer quietly switched on recording which was played later on. She also burst out about the producer. Everyone in the studio was stunned. The lawyer made one flop film also. He lost his job when the boss closed down story department. They were also a host to MRA (Moral Re-Armamant Army) which was a counter movement of Communism. It staged many plays enjoyed by members of Gemini Studio. The studio was the favourite haunt of poets. Most of them wore khadi and enjoyed coffee there. They had a dislike for the communists who they thought to be godless people who could also go against the family and relations.

§  The chapter concludes with an intriguing episode involving the visit of an English poet, Stephen Spender to Gemini Studios. When they heard the news of arrival of a renowned poet, they heard that he was not a poet but an editor. The reception for this visitor when was later revealed as Stephen Spender, adds an element of mystery. Mr. S S Vasan, the boss read a long speech which comprised the words like freedom and democracy. They couldn't understand the poet due to his English accent. Everyone was baffled but the poet was baffled the most. The author expresses confusion and skepticism about the English poet's presence in a Tamil film studio, creating a sense of curiosity and spreading humour.

   A short story contest was organised by the British periodical named 'The Encounter', which was featured in the newspaper 'The Hindu'. The author who was no longer in Gemini Studio wanted to take part in the contest so he went to the British Council library to know about the magazine. He was stunned to know that the editor of the magazine happened to be Stephen Spender. He had a feeling that he had met his long lost brother often portrayed in Bollywood films. 

   Later, He purchased the book 'The God That failed' consisting six essays by different authors, one of whom was Stephen Spender who had given up communism after getting disillusioned by it. The narrator got an idea about why the poet visited Gemini Studios. The boss invited the poet as their thoughts on Communism were aligned.

§  Overall, the chapter provides a detailed and vivid portrayal of engaging workings of the makeup department and the presence of poets in Gemini Studios and the intriguing visit of Stephen Spender. 

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Themes involved in the chapter

The chapter 'Poets and Pancakes' offers a rich and multifaceted view of the inner workings of Gemini Studios, focusing particularly on the makeup department's peculiarities, the hierarchical structure, and the diverse makeup team. The makeup department serves as a microcosm of the studio vividly and humorously describing the intricate process of transforming actors through makeup. The description of the makeup application, the incandescent lights, and the discomfort experienced by the actors adds a touch of realism to the narrative.

The chapter also offers reflection and appreciation of poets and writers in the film industry depicting Gemini Studios as a hub for literary figures, particularly poets. The mention of S.D.S. Yogiar, Sangu Subramanyam, Krishna Sastry, and Harindranath Chattopadhyaya adds depth to the cultural milieu of the studio notwithstanding Kothamangalam Subbu who had an excellent talent for poetry.

The author skillfully weaves humor, appreciation as well as mystery into the narrative, particularly in describing the makeup process and intriguing episode with Stephen Spender. The confusion and skepticism surrounding Spender's presence in a Tamil film studio create an air of mystery and anticipation. The chapter touches on themes of identity, ambition, and the complexities of individual aspirations within the film industry through the characters like the office boy and his frustration.

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Important Question Answers

Q1. The author has used gentle humour to point out human foibles. Pick out instances to show how this serves to make the piece interesting?

Ans. In ‘Poets and Pancakes' Asokamitran uses gentle humour to point out human weaknesses and absurdities. The humour used by the narrator is not pungent or caustic. It tickles but doesn't bite. The first line of the narration gives a glimpse of it. The brand name of the make-up material is 'Pancake'. And it is bought in truckloads! The make-up room was in a building that was believed to have been Robert Clive's stables. The description of the make-up men is quite humorous.

They could turn "any decent-looking person into a hideous crimson hued monster". The narrator continues: "The chief make-up man made the chief actors and actresses ugly". Another example of gentle humour is the description of the office boy. "He wasn't exactly a boy; he was in his early forties...”

The author's description of the lawyer is also quite humorous. The lawyer was also officially known as the legal adviser. But everybody referred to him as the opposite.' Similarly, he gently laughs at the ignorance of the MRA group about animals.

His description of English poet is equally humorous. He asks “What is an English poet doing in a studio which makes Tamil films ...?”

 Q2. Who was Kothamangalam Subbu? Why was he considered No. 2 in Gemini Studios?

Ans. Kothamangalam Subbu was the man who gave a new 'direction and definition' to Gemini Studios. He was tailor-made for films. He could be cheerful at all times, even after making a flop film. Subbu was considered No. 2 at Gemini Studios after the Boss. He was the right hand man of 'the Boss'. He faced difficult and uncertain times. He turned all his energy and creativity to the advantage of his 'boss'. If the producer was not satisfied with a scene, he would come out with fourteen more alternatives. 

Subbu was a self-made man. He was a good poet and an 'amazing' actor. He wrote for the common people. He never aspired for the lead roles. He always performed better than the main players. Film making overshadowed his poetic excellence. He was a man of many sided genius. He had a genuine love for everyone. But the office boy considered Subbu the reason of all his woes and neglect. Subbu, who excelled in both filmmaking and poetry, stands out as a remarkable personality. With Subbu around, film making became a sheer pleasure.

 Q3. How does the author describe the incongruity of an English poet addressing the audience at Gemini Studios?

Ans. The Gemini Studios was preparing itself to welcome another visitor. He was Stephen Spender, a renowned poet from England. The simple Gemini staff heard of only Wordsworth or Tennyson. No one knew the poet visiting the Gemini Studios. And no one in the Studios was certain about the purpose of his visit.

At last, around four in the afternoon the poet arrived. He was a tall man, very English and very serious. The Boss read out a long speech, it was a general speech. It was quite clear that he too knew little about the poet. Then, the poet spoke. Pertaining to his English accent no one understood what he was talking about.

What was an English poet doing in a film studio?, everyone asked that question. Gemini Studios made Tamil films. Their simple and hard lives couldn't afford the luxury of poetry. The whole uninteresting drama continued for an hour. No body understood his accent nor the poet understood what they spoke. Then the poet left. The people dispersed in utter confusion. The poet looked quite baffled too. In short, the visit of the English poet (Stephen Spender) remained an unexplained mystery.

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Indigo

Indigo

                                By Louis Fischer

Analysis:

·       The chapter ‘Indigo’ is an excerpt from the book 'The Life of Mahatma Gandhi' by Louis Fischer. It is a biographical story based on his interviews of Mahatma Gandhi related to the history of Pre Independence Era in India.

·       Louis Fischer, an American journalist is known for his works ‘The God that Failed’ and ‘The Life of Mahatma Gandhi’ which was the strong basis for Academy Award winning film ‘Gandhi’.

·       The writer shares Gandhi’s leadership, struggles and movements during Pre Independence era, offering his tribute to Gandhiji and various other freedom fighters and countless martyrs especially Raj Kumar Shukla, a sharecropper from Champaran.

·       It also mentions about an important episode which happened to become a turning point in the life of Mahatma Gandhi and his struggle to get freedom and social and political justice for his countrymen.

·       This chapters highlights that Gandhi’s life story was a great inspiration to all the strugglers and freedom fighters and, motivated them not to give up ever. His long and exhausting journey to freedom and justice gave everyone an undying hope which pushed Raj Kumar Shukla to fight for his problems.

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Summary /  Synopsis:

§  In the chapter 'Indigo' Mahatma Gandhi's journey to Champaran is detailed, marking a significant episode in his life and that of Indian independence movement. Gandhiji himself narrated the episode to the writer. He told that Rajkumar Shukla, an illiterate peasant from Champaran, Bihar approached him during the Indian National Congress party convention in December1916, urging him to address the injustices faced by sharecroppers in his home district. After this episode Gandhiji got a clarity about how the Britishers could be made to leave India forever.

§  Gandhiji had to go to other parts of India such as an appointment in Kanpur and Shukla accompanied him everywhere. He also followed him to the ashram in Ahemdabad. He begged Gandhiji to fix a date for him. Though initially unaware of Champaran's plight, Gandhiji agreed to visit the place on Shukla's insistence and asked him to take him from Calcutta, he waited there and then they both went to Patna where Shukla took Gandhiji to stay at the house of a sympathetic lawyer, Rajendra Prasad, who later became the President of the Congress party, and of India.

    Gandhiji went to Muzaffarpur to obtain information about Champaran, he met J B Kriplani at the station with a large body of students. He stayed there at Professor Malkani's place for two days. The news spread and the peasants from Champaran came to meet Gandhiji there. The peasants, primarily engaged in indigo cultivation under oppressive contracts with British landlords, sought relief. 

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§  Facing resistance from British authorities and landlords, Gandhi persisted in his investigations through his meetings with the lawyers at Muzaffarpur. He also scolded the lawyers for collecting high fees from poor sharecroppers. Gandhiji felt that poor peasants' cases should not be taken to law courts as it is useless, rather they must be freed from fear. He got to know that most of arable land in Champaran was occupied by Englishmen and Indian peasants worked there as tenants. According to the earlier agreement sharecroppers had to plant 15% of their land with Indigo and surrender all the indigo crop as rent to the English landlords. Later, when Germany developed synthetic indigo, Indian peasants were forced to pay as compensation for being released from the 15%  arrangement as indigo plantation was no more profitable.  Now, the sharecroppers decided to be free from this forced arrangement.

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     When Gandhiji wasn't supported by police and authorities of the British landlords' association rather bullied by them, he opted for civil disobedience, refusing to leave Champaran despite an official notice. He along with some lawyes proceeded to Motihari, the capital of Champaran where a huge crowd welcomed Gandhiji. He was reported that a peasant had been maltreated in a nearby village, he started out to see him on the back of an elephant. He received an order from police superintendent to leave Champaran which he refused to follow. This led to a summon to appear in the court, next day, where huge crowd gathered to show their full support. The officials couldn't control them, Gandhiji helped them to quieten the peasants. Gandhi pleaded guilty, emphasising his "conflict of duties" between obeying authority and serving the humanitarian cause and saying that he heard 'the voice of his conscience' to help the poor peasants.

§  The peasants' spontaneous support outside the courthouse in Motihari marked a turning point, challenging the British authority and instilling courage in the local population. The government, baffled by Gandhi's nonviolent resistance, and huge support by peasants, first delayed the case but eventually dropped the case, marking the success of civil disobedience for the first time in modern India.

§    A group of prominent lawyers which included Rajendra Prasad agreed to follow Gandhiji in jail, if he was sent to jail at which Gandhiji exclaimed, "The battle of champaran is won". Gandhiji had four interviews with the Lieutenant Governor who appointed an official commission of inquiry. Then, they conducted a widespread inquiry into the farmers' grievances. The evidences against landlords were overwhelming. They were exhorting money from the sharecroppers which led to an agreement for refunds to the peasants. Gandhiji asked for a 50% refund, the planters told to give only 25% but Gandhiji agreed and the deadlock was broken. Gandhiji thought that the landlords' agreement to pay was more important than the amount paid. Moreover, all understood and accepted that peasants also have their rights.

§  The settlement, adopted unanimously, showcased the success of Gandhi's strategy. Within a few years, the British planters abandoned their estates, and indigo sharecropping ceased. Gandhi, not content with political victories, addressed the cultural and social backwardness in Champaran by appealing the teachers for their help in initiating health and sanitation measures. Two young men, Narhari Pareikh and Mahadev Desai joined him as disciples and his son, Devdas also joined in the reformatory works. The primary schools opened there, Kasturba Gandhi taught sanitation there. Doctors also volunteered for the cause. He noticed state of utter poverty resulting in filthy clothes and insanitation. He asked to cover old latrine trenches and dig new ones.

§  This Champaran episode marked a turning point in Gandhi's life, demonstrating his commitment to alleviating the daily struggles of the masses and promoting self-reliance when he opposed C F Andrews as his counterpart in Champaran. He believed the people should learn to be self reliant and fight their own struggle. Gandhi's actions in Champaran exemplify his philosophy of satyagraha and the practical application of nonviolent resistance in achieving social justice and political change. Indian independence struggle, and social reforms were intertwined with his political activism. 

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Theme

The chapter conveys that effective and efficient leadership can help solve the most intricate problems and come out triumphantly of the most difficult struggles. This leadership quality made Mahatma Gandhi loved by the masses and he could attain India’s political freedom with support of multitude of Indians who were equally motivated with the thought of freedom.

Difficult words and expressions

Convention: agreement

Delegates: Representatives

Peasant: small farmer

Emaciated: thin

Sharecroppers: a tenant farmer who gives a part of each crop as rent.

Resolute: determined

Tenacity: determination

Haunches: thighs

Yeoman: a man who cultivates a small piece of land

Pestered: harassed

En route: on the way

Advocate: one who favours/supports

Advent: arrival

Chided: criticize, scold

Arable: land suitable for farming

Contract: agreement

Compensation: payment to complete the loss

Irksome: irritating

Resisted: opposed, to be against something

Multitude: a large number of people

Maltreated: ill treated

Superintendent: Manager, supervisor

Wired: Telegraphed

Authorities: officials, people in power

Demonstrations: protest

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Important Question answers

Q1. Why did Gandhi consider the Champaran episode to be a turning point in his life?

Ans. The Champaran episode relieved poor indigo peasant from torturous burden they had to face and solved their problems due to the forced agreement. Gandhiji received immense support from the peasants and other people. They only required a strong leadership under which they all stood against cruel landlords. Gandhiji considered this episode as a turning point in his life as he could see that non violent and civil disobedience could achieve the larger objective of independence with the support of millions of agitated and motivated Indians. The victory in the battle of Champaran was a sign of freedom from fear and this freedom led him on the longer trail of India's Independence Movement.

Q2. How did Rajkumar Shukla succeed in persuading Gandhiji to visit Chaparan? What made Gandhiji surrender to the wish of Shukla.

Ans. Rajkumar Shukla, an illiterate but deterrent peasant from Champaran, Bihar approached Gandhiji during the Indian National Congress party convention in December1916, urging him to address the injustices faced by sharecroppers in his home district. Gandhiji had an appointment in Kanpur and had to go to other parts of India as well. Shukla accompanied him everywhere like a shadow. He also followed him to the ashram in Ahemdabad. Shukla was illiterate but resolute. He begged Gandhiji to fix a date for him. Being influenced with his deterrence and determination to fight for his cause Gandhiji surrendered to his wish. He agreed to visit Champaran on Shukla's insistence and asked him to take him from Calcutta. Shukla waited there till Gandhiji was free and then they both took train to Patna where Shukla took Gandhiji to stay at the house of a sympathetic lawyer, Dr. Rajendra Prasad. From there Gandhiji was brought to the main battleground, Motihari, capital of Champaran by a resolute, determined and deterrent sharecropper, Rajkumar Shukla. He took every care that Gandhiji shouldn't forget him and followed him everywhere like his shadow. He taught us the lesson of unshakable determination and lived the thought, "When you want something with all your might, all the universe conspires in helping you achieve it".

 

Fog

Fog

                                                                  By Carl Sandburg

Analysis:

·       ‘Fog’ is a six lines poem composed by Carl Sandburg, an American poet, biographer, journalist and editor.

·       The poem ‘Fog’ captures the mysterious and fleeting nature of fog, using the metaphor of a cat to convey its silent, creeping movement and transient quality. This way the poet suggests that just like fog human life is also transient and has to perish one day. 

·       It is a simple and short poem which metaphorically presents fog as a cat who appears secretly and disappears softly. The poet wants to give fog a form employing Imagery and personification so wonderfully and successfully. It is composed as free verse.

·       The poet conveys that the fog has transient existence, still envelops entire city in its grip for some moments, and that every entity in the universe has its own value. It discusses how the least significant thing in nature can be viewed as an individual entity and has its own significance. Even the most trivial and insignificant things can impact our life largely.

·    Tone of the poem is philosophical as the poet conveys that every entity of nature has its own significance and our life is transient and short lived just like fog.

Line by Line Explanation

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The fog comes

on little cat feet.

It sits looking

over harbour and city

on silent haunches

and then moves on.

The opening line sets the stage, announcing the arrival of fog. The use of the word "comes" suggests a gradual, slow and quiet entrance giving fog a form and identity of a cat using personification. The poem compares the slow movement of the fog to the small and stealthy steps of a cat. This creates an image of the fog creeping in silently and softly, and with certain grace of a cat. The fog seems to take on a deliberately slow action, as if it makes a conscious action. 

The word "sits" implies a settled or stationary state of a cat describing the fog settling on every thing in the city. The fog extends its presence over both the city and the harbour at the outskirts of city. This expansion of the fog's reach adds to its all pervasive and encompassing nature speaking of its significance as every other entity of nature. This line continues the imagery of the fog as a cat, now describing it as sitting on "silent haunches." This reinforces the idea that fog very quietly envelops entire world and impacts everyone in the world again speaking of its significance. 

It then, moves on, suggesting that its presence is temporary, and it will eventually dissipate or shift to another location. The poem conveys that fog is transient; it doesn't linger indefinitely just like human life which has a beginning and an end, too.

Video on the Poem Fog

Rhyme Scheme of the poem

 The poem is composed in free verse having no rhyming scheme.

 

Poetic Devices:

The fog comes – Personification

on little cat feet.  – Consonance, Metaphor, Imagery  

It sits looking – Assonance, Personification, Imagery

over harbour and city – Imagery, Consonance, enjambment

on silent haunches - Enjambment

and then moves on. – Consonance, Personification 

 

Theme of the poem

This poem is a metaphorical interpretation of fog. It conveys that even the least significant thing in nature can be viewed as an individual entity and has its own significance. Even the most trivial and insignificant things can impact our life largely. 

There is also an underlying message that every entity of nature has its own significance however short lived it is. Human life is also transient and temporary just like fog which comes, envelops the city and then goes away quietly.

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RTC

The fog comes

On little cat feet

It sits looking

Over harbour and city

On silent haunches

And then moves on.

Q1. What is the fog compared to?

Q2. What does the phrase ‘little cat feet’ mean?

Q3. What does ‘it’ in the third line refer to?

Q4. Pick out the poetic device used in third line.

Q5. What philosophy is conveyed through the poem?

Q6. How is Imagery used to describe the fog?

Answers:

1. The fog is compared to a cat.

2. The phrase 'little cat feet' means that fog comes silently and slowly just as a cat comes on its small feet that are soft and light and don't make sound as it walks slowly and softly.

3. ‘It’ refers to fog which is compared to a cat.

4. In third line the poet uses the poetic device 'personification'  to give fog the attributes of a creature and he uses metaphor by comparing it with a cat.

5. The poem conveys the philosophy that life is transient and short lived. Just as fog comes quietly, stays for some time and then disappears same way we take birth and come in this world, live our life fully and then, die and leave this world quietly.

6. Through imagery the poet describes the fog to come quietly and sit on haunches like a cat, envelop the city and harbour in its grip and move away quietly.