Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-15 07:19 · grounding rag
Model Answer
The extended metaphor in "Fog" compares fog to a cat throughout the entire poem, making it highly effective. The fog arrives on "little cat feet" — silently and stealthily, just as a cat moves. It then "sits looking over harbour and city on silent haunches," exactly like a cat crouching and observing. Finally, it "moves on," as a cat does without warning. This sustained comparison gives the fog a living, mysterious quality, helping readers visualise its silent, effortless movement vividly.
Source: Fog (Poem), Chapter 6
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Explanation
- The question asks specifically about the contribution (effect/impact) of the extended metaphor — so you must explain what the metaphor does, not just identify it.
- Three key points to cover: (1) the cat metaphor runs throughout (extended), (2) specific images — feet, haunches, moves on, (3) the effect — fog feels alive, silent, mysterious.
- Examiners award marks for identifying the metaphor, quoting evidence from the poem, and stating its effect on the reader.