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 tone of the poem caged bird?
The tone is
immediately and drastically changed from peaceful, satisfied, and joyful to one that is dark, unnerving, and even frustrating
. She describes that this caged first “can seldom see through his bars of rage”. While the free bird gets to enjoy the full sky, the caged bird rarely even gets a glimpse of the sky.
What is the speaker's attitude in 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
.
Who are the characters in the poem caged bird?
- Marguerite Johnson (“Maya”)
- Annie Henderson (“Momma”)
- Bailey Johnson Jr.
- Uncle Willie.
- Vivian Baxter Johnson (“Mother Dear”)
- Bailey Johnson Sr.
- Mr. Freeman.
- Mrs. Bertha Flowers.
How does the speaker Know Why the caged bird Sings?
The speaker tells us that
he knows why the caged bird “beats his wing” until they're bloodied against the bars of its cage
. … In the final stanza, the speaker tells us he knows why the caged bird sings. We can guess by this point in the poem that this bird is singing not because it's a happy bird.
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 are the themes in 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 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.
Who is Daddy Clidell?
Daddy Clidell
Vivian's second husband
, whom she marries after her children join her in California. Although Maya initially tries to dismiss him, Daddy Clidell becomes the only real “father” Maya knows. He combines the virtues of strength and tenderness and enjoys thinking of himself as Maya's father.
Why did Uncle Willie hide?
Uncle Willie hid in the
vegetable bin to protect himself from the “boys”
in the Ku Klux Klan. Maya describes him “like a casserole,” covered with onions and potatoes. Seeking God's protection for Willie and the family, Momma prayed in the darkened store.
What does the caged bird 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 does the caged bird singing reveal about him?
What does the caged bird's singing reveal about him? Answer: It reveals that
he is unhappy and wants to be free.
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 plea does the caged bird sent to heaven?
Lines 19-21
It's a “prayer” and a “plea” that the bird sends to heaven. So, what is the bird praying for? It's
praying for freedom
, of course. After all, in the previous lines, the speaker had told us that the bird “would be free”—that is, it wants freedom.
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.
Why is freedom the theme of caged bird?
The poem describes the opposing experiences between two birds: one bird is able to live in nature as it pleases, while a different caged bird suffers in captivity. Due to its profound suffering,
the caged bird sings
, both to cope with its circumstances and to express its own longing for freedom.
