# Fog explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by Langston Hughes.

## What happens

A reflection on the contrast between the natural fog experienced by black boatmen at Sekondi and the metaphorical fog of alienation and confusion endured by those in civilized society.

## Themes in this chapter

### Urban Life and Alienation

The 'strange so-civilized ones' sail in a fog of alienation, disconnected from the natural world.

### Nature and the Elements

The thick white fog at Sekondi is a natural element that contrasts with the metaphorical fog of civilization.

## Character check-ins

### Unknown

The speaker contrasts the boatmen's physical fog with the internal fog of the civilized.

## Key lines

> You do not know the fog We strange so-civilized ones Sail in always.

You cannot understand the confusion and alienation that we, who are overly civilized, constantly experience.

_Highlights the theme of urban alienation and the loss of connection to nature._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_15_se/chapters/fog
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_15_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_15_se/chapters