The predominant theme of the poem is
freedom
. The first line depicts this by introducing “the free bird.” And the opposite theme is “slavery.” A caged bird in captivity “sings of freedom.” The caged bird was created for freedom as a free bird. Nonetheless, it is in an unnatural situation, trapped in a cage.
What is the theme of the Caged Bird Sings?
The story shows Maya's personal journey as she works through
her poor self-concept, unstable home life, sexual abuse, and teenage pregnancy
. Some of the critical themes of this story surround racism, self-acceptance, and belonging.
What is the main idea of the poem 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 in Caged Bird?
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 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 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
.
Why does the caged bird sing quotes?
- “Hoping for the best, prepared for the worst, and unsurprised by anything in between.” …
- “Words mean more than what is set down on paper. …
- “Anything that works against you can also work for you once you understand the Principle of Reverse.” …
- “The caged bird sings with a fearful trill,
Why does the caged bird sing meaning?
After the 1968 assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr., Angelou was inspired by a meeting with writer James Baldwin and cartoonist Jules Feiffer to write I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings as
a way of dealing with the death of her friend and to draw attention to her own personal struggles with racism
.
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 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 are the fears of the caged bird?
Thus, the caged bird's fear is about
the uncertainty of achieving freedom in the future
. Its fears reflect those of the blacks who no more wish to go through the pains of racism, discrimination and bestial treatment at the hands of the whites.
What kind of person is the speaker in 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 extended metaphor in Caged Bird?
Given that the caged bird in the poem is an extended metaphor for
the historic struggle of the African American community under historical and ongoing racist oppression
, the idea that freedom is a biological impulse argues against the inhumane cruelty of oppression.
What is the imagery of the poem Caged Bird?
IMAGERY IN CAGED BIRD Maya Angelou
uses caged and free birds to symbolize the dream of attaining freedom
. The poem illustrates the contrast between imprisonment and freedom through symbolism of a caged bird and a free bird and then between their dreams and desires.
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
.
