What Is I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings Poem About?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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“I know why the caged bird sings” is Maya Angelou’s heart-wrenching poem that

reflects on the mindless oppression that the Blacks were subjected back in the olden days

. Her portrayal of the injustice using a “free bird” and a “caged bird” leaves us with a bitter taste that reminds us of the long abolished slavery.

What is the main idea of the poem the Caged Bird?

The main themes in “Caged Bird” are

freedom and confinement, artistic expression as resistance, and civil rights

. Freedom and confinement: As its title indicates, “Caged Bird” is concerned with both imprisonment and the innate urge for freedom.

What is the message of the poem I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings?

The message of Maya Angelou’s poem “Caged Bird” seems to be that

any person who is oppressed or “caged” will always continue to “long” for freedom, knowing that if others are entitled to it, they should be entitled to it, too

.

What does the caged bird sings symbolize?

Angelou uses the metaphor of a bird struggling to escape its cage, described in Paul Laurence Dunbar’s poem, as a prominent symbol throughout her series of autobiographies. Like elements within a prison narrative, the caged bird represents

Angelou’s confinement resulting from racism and oppression

.

What is the purpose of this poem What is Dr Angelou trying to communicate?

The purpose of I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

is to make sense of what has happened to her and to provide hope for other survivors.

What is the caged bird a metaphor for?

The Caged Bird Metaphor is a common Animal Metaphor whereby a character—often a woman or girl in an oppressive environment—is associated with a caged bird,

symbolizing their sense of confinement and longing for freedom

.

What kind of poem is caged bird?

The poem is

a free verse

. My art: My art resembles that of which the bird dreams of.

What is ironic about the caged bird?

‘The caged bird sings with a fearful trill’. This sentence is ironic as the caged bird is

the one singing not the free bird as we expect

. However, the words ‘fearful’ and ‘trill’ makes us realize that actually it is not a happy tune but a desperate cry for freedom.

What kind of imagery is used in caged bird?

Imagery: Angelou has used

vivid imageries

. ‘Orange sun rays’, ‘distant hills’, fat worms’ etc are examples of visual imageries while ‘sighing trees’, ‘nightmare scream’ and ‘fearful trill’ are auditory imageries.

What feelings does the caged bird experience?

The fact that the caged bird sings of freedom despite its current situation conveys a

feeling of hope that one day the caged bird will be released

. This message coincides with the hope that one day African Americans will no longer suffer from discrimination and oppression in a prejudiced society.

What is the main conflict in the poem caged bird?

In Maya Angelou’s I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, the major conflicts are:

man versus self, man versus society, and man versus man

. Man versus self is a battle a major character faces within their own personality. Man versus society is a struggle against the norms of the community.

What is the biggest possession of a free bird?

Question 4 : What is the biggest possession of a free bird? Answer :

Freedom

is the biggest possession of a free bird that makes him able to experience all kinds of beauty of nature, to fly wherever he wishes, to eat whatever he wants and to live and stay wherever he desires.

Who is the speaker in the poem caged bird?

The speaker of the poem ”Caged Bird” is neither the caged bird nor the free bird, but rather

someone who has come from an experience of oppression

What is the mood of caged bird?

This poem evokes the sympathy of its reader for the bird who cannot soar under the sun with the wind beneath his wings. Still, the bird’s spirit is resilient and the imprisoned bird expresses his desire to soar despite his bindings. The overall tone of the poem is

sorrowful, but persevering

.

What were the two scenes seen by the Caged Bird?

One bird is a free bird who is free to fly in the sky and to find his food and live his life on his terms. The other bird is

a caged bird whose wings have been cut off from him and his feet have been tied

. He does not even have the privilege of seeing the world.

What literary devices are used in caged bird?

Poetic devices used in Maya Angelou’s poem “Caged Bird” include

allegory, anthropomorphism, rhyme, metaphor, personification, mood, imagery, alliteration, and repetition

.

Diane Mitchell
Author
Diane Mitchell
Diane Mitchell is an animal lover and trainer with over 15 years of experience working with a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, and horses. She has worked with leading animal welfare organizations. Diane is passionate about promoting responsible pet ownership and educating pet owners on the best practices for training and caring for their furry friends.