Video of Maya Angelou performing and reading her work. The Irony of Sympathy. It is obvious that this is a happy bird. The caged bird is satisfied with its life. The free bird can easily fly high up in the sky. Thank you for supporting this project. Uncle Willie in I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Conflict in I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Relationship of Maya & Bailey in I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings: Tone & Mood, Themes Quotes in I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings Writing Style, Working Scholars Bringing Tuition-Free College to the Community. have symbolic as well as literal meanings. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. In addition, "dawn bright lawn" and "fat worms" and even "sighing trees" are examples of vivid imagery. Thus, the poet has used the poetic device of contrast to expose and also criticize racial discrimination in her native land. Blacks in America can only look on with envy as their white counterparts live a life of privilege, luxury and comfort the way the free bird does. The first stanza of the poem is meant to show - a) The caged bird's feelings of despair and hopelessness b) The beauty of the sun's rays c) The thrill of being free to live his life as he pleases d) How a bird flies free and claims the sky. The first 7 slides give biographical information about Angelou and explain the genre (s) of the book. Ralph teaches English for Academic Purposes (EAP) online. The entire poem is a metaphor for the differences between the lived experiences of white Americans and African Americans. Caged Bird By Maya Angelou A free bird leaps on the back of the wind and floats downstream till the current ends and dips his wing in the orange sun rays and dares to claim the sky. crs questions and anwers Likewise: and the trade winds soft through the sighing, and the fat worms waiting on a dawn bright. In this summary of Caged Bird, I will take you through the subject matter of each of the six stanzas of the poem. Readers who enjoyedCaged Birdshould also consider reading some other Maya Angelou poems. The tone with which she writes the first and third stanzas so sharply contrasts with the second stanza that readers can feel the difference. Because no one has tried to restrict his movement or take away his natural rights. 0. The poem is a contrast between a caged bird and a free bird. The repetition of the third stanza at the end emphasizes the rights of the caged bird who fearfully opens up his mouth and sings for Freedom. (distanthills), thinks, sings, stands, shouts, opens, floats, leaps, ends, dares, stalks, see, names. She has so many dreams that have died because she was never given the freedom to achieve all that her white counterparts could. Rhetorical Devices in I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings Maya Angelou's unique writing style in I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is due in part to her use of rhetorical devices that help to make. serves as an element of rhythm emphasizing the beat [of the poem]. The free bird lives without any restrictions on his life. The first in a seven-volume series, it is a coming-of-age story that illustrates how strength of character and a love of literature can help overcome racism and trauma. Your email address will not be published. To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member. Teacher Editions with classroom activities for all 1699 titles we cover. Matthew 5:6-7 NKJV. The poem Caged Bird contains several literary as well as poetic devices. It is dark and daunting. 2020 TrendyQueen : #1 Woman magazine crafted by. In the poem " I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings " by Maya Angelou, the speaker goes back and forth between stanzas comparing the realities of a free bird to that of a caged bird. Anthropomorphism is when an animal, an inanimate object, or any other non-human entity is given human characteristics or emotions. He, with his tied feet and clipped wings, fails to enjoy even the little Freedom. The poet goes about this in an almost alternating manner. The caged bird sings of freedom, of fear, and things unknown. "She loved everything, from pop to country and, of course, hip-hop. I feel like its a lifeline. The Cage Bird Poem by Maya Angelou Pages: 5 (1630 words); Maya Angelou: Inspiring Generations Pages: 5 (1522 words); A Role Model of Maya Angelou Pages: 7 (1952 words); The Life of Maya Angelou Pages: 4 (1287 words); Feminism is for Everybody: Themes of Feminism, Marriage Pages: 4 (1102 words); The Impact of Maya Angelou's "Still i Rise" on the Expectations of Women Pages: 5 (1647 words) His wings are clipped and his feet are tiedSo he opens his throat to sing. She describes how a free bird leaps on the back of the wind.. Because Maya's mother and brother, Bailey, do not realize she has been raped, they treat her will cool compresses and wait for spots to appear on her body. We respond to all comments too, giving you the answers you need. The injustices they suffer due to racial bias are many and the effects are humiliating. The first evident device is assonance, the repetition of vowel sounds in the same verse: and the trade winds soft through the sighing trees. In addition, the writer has repeated the sounds of /e/ and /o/ to emphasize her point. Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy. To Maya Angelou, the perpetuation of racial injustice is a blot on the conscience of a nation that was founded on the principle of equality for all. Additionally, readers should take note of the instances in which the poet makes use of half-rhyme. Literature Poem Analysis, https://poemanalysis.com/maya-angelou/caged-bird/. However, the bird is actually caged, which is ironic. government questions Detailed quotes explanations with page numbers for every important quote on the site. The word 'cage' represents the subjugation of the blacks and the segregated environment, which in extension refers to the black neighbourhood such as South Side Chicago. Its vision of freedom is not there as it has to remain behind the bars of the cage. I trust that this analysis of Caged Bird will help you to deal comfortably with any question on the poem. Save. This title had great significance to Angelou, as it was the title of her entire life story. In contract, the caged bird is associated with the grave of dreams and a nightmare scream. The overall style of the poem is free verse because Angelou does not employ a regular meter or rhyme scheme. As founder and director at CEGAST, he has successfully coached thousands of students in English, Literature, and related subjects for major international examinations. with a fearful trill / of things unknown / but longed for still" (lines 31 - 34) ____9) Re-read lines 8 -11 of the poem. Effects of Racial Discrimination on the Black Population, 2. Blacks in this society used songs to soothe their pain. CAGED BIRD SONGS is a unique musical concept created by Shawn Rivera and co-produced with RoccStar, that thoughtfully blends the iconic poet's words with contemporary hip-hop. Maya Angelou uses caged and free birds to symbolize the dream of attaining freedom. Answer. Download the entire Caged Bird study guide as a printable PDF! We can observe that while the first stanza speaks of the fruits of freedom freely available to the whites, the second and third stanzas turn in the opposite direction. In the poem "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings", the free bird referred to is the White American community while the 'caged bird' refers to the African Americans Through the portrayal of the free bird in the poem Angelou essentially indicates to the privileges that the White Americans enjoyed How does the caged bird become a symbol of oppression? The third stanza reverts back to the free bird, further cementing the difference between the free bird and the caged bird in the readers minds. eNotes.com will help you with any book or any question. This is also ironic, as the bird's song is a reminder of its captivity. "Wings are clipped" and "feet are tied" implies how the bird's freedom was forcefully taken away and it cannot fly even if it aspires to. Another major theme in Caged Bird is the important role freedom and liberty (or the denial of it) can play in the life of every human being. The poet has used a number of poetic devices in the poem "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings". The Child is Not Dead Poem Analysis. The bird, moreover, is personified when she says that he "dares to claim the sky" and, later, that "he names the sky his own.". The free bird also "thinks of another breezeand the fat worms waitingand he names the sky his own." The free bird is a metaphor for white Americans, who are free to live and move throughout the world as they please, while the caged bird represents the systemic oppression and imprisonment faced by African Americans within the United States. The poem presents us with two birds; the free bird and a caged bird. wassce literature questions. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); Below are instances of alliteration in the poem, Note also that all of stanza three is repeated in stanza six. Angelou portrays the free bird as one who has the confidence to claim the sky." The free bird symbolizes the upper class that enjoys every bliss of life, while the caged bird stands for the black people. The encaged bird stands for a black American and the free bird for a white person. The caged bird standing on a grave of dreams symbolizes the entire history of cruelty and confinement inflicted upon the African American community and other marginalized communities throughout history. plagiarism <p>a simile</p> alternatives . Although the poem paints a picture of a carefree bird in a beautiful landscape . But a bird that stalks down his narrow cage can seldom see through his bars of rage his wings are clipped and his feet are tied so he opens his throat to sing. 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. English. Alliteration, imagery, and symbolism are all used by Angelou to create this classic poem. 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. You are about to encounter a detailed analysis of Caged Bird (or I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings), a poem by the African-American writer, Maya Angelou. Amma Darko Much of the poem Caged Birds diction and imagery revolves around the differences in the conditions of these two segments of society. He does this with a song of freedom. teacherbarfield. She is a . Metaphor, alliteration, stanza, verse, and mood are all present within the poem. 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African Drama The fruits of freedom that the free bird enjoys remain a distant dream for the caged bird. Have you ever tried to do something nice for someone, only to have it backfire on you? Still, it takes some convincing for Maya to tell them that it is Mr. Freeman who committed the act. In her autobiography, she talked about the struggle of being a Black author and poet. It is, in fact, the conceit, or extended, controlling metaphor of the entire poem. Angelou uses contrast with the quality of the free bird's existence versus the caged bird's existence. A. Required fields are marked *. from University of Missouri-St Louis M.A. Instant PDF downloads. Frank Ogodo Ogbeche adult education Unfortunately, he cannot taste the joys of the beautiful natural world because his feet are tied, and his wings are clipped. 0 plays. Learn how your comment data is processed. Other days he had to be satisfied with chocolate.' The contrast between the lives of the caged bird and the free bird is an allegory for the contrast between the lives of African Americans and their white counterparts. It is a coming-of-age novel, the first in a seven-volume series, which shows how character resilience and a love of literature can help resolve prejudice and trauma. For our full appreciation and analysis of Caged Bird, by Maya Angelou, we shall take a close look at the following aspects of the poem. But, there are some examples of an iambic meter. And I have a surprise for you. After Maya is raped, Vivian and Bailey treat her as if she has the measles because she is acting so strangely. She is a widely acclaimed author, poet and civil rights activist. A a simile B irony ***C an allusion D plagiarism ____5) Angelou repeats lines 12 - 14 later in lines 29 - 30. . Besides literary devices, the poet has also inserted some poetic devices to add more variety. So easy to understand. She often felt that her words were not heard because of the color of her skin and sought to express her experience and that of others in her contemporary moment through the lines of this text. Students will explore and analyze the similar themes/messages within these two different mediums. Because he has not been denied one. The speaker describes the birds cries as shouts on a nightmare scream. At this point, the caged bird is so despondent in his life of captivity that his screams are like that of someone having a nightmare. Ironically, receiving proof that their parents were in fact alive makes the children distraught rather than overjoyed. Name two ways that the refrain contributes to the overall meaning of the poem. So why does the caged bird sing? Copyright 2017 - Newspaper WordPress Theme by TagDiv, Spelling Father by Marshall Soulful Jones, Analysis of A Quoi Bon Dire by Charlotte Mew, Analysis of Henry Wadsworth Longfellows A Psalm of Life, Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad Questions & Answers, Analysis of An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge by Ambrose Bierce, Analysis of The Monkeys Paw by W.W. Jacobs. Paul Laurence Dunbar's poem, which inspired Angelou's image of the "caged bird.". mock tests Angelou at the Presidential Inauguration She still feels that she is caged and that although she sings, her cries are heard only as a distant noise. Caged Birdby Maya Angelou is a six-stanza poem that is separated into stanzas that range in length. Genre. 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. The first and third stanzas give the reader a sense of ecstasy and thrill, making the second stanza seem all the more droll and even oppressive. This comes at no extra cost to you. The free bird, on the other hand, is representative of the privileged white race. Just like a bird that has been denied its most important freedom (to move around and explore the sky and the earth), blacks have been limited in their ability to develop themselves and enjoy a better life. This adds to the overall musicality of the poem. 'Maybe it's the measles. In the first stanza, Maya Angelou refers to nature. (OOB) MI1: Determine implicit meaning from words in context 3. So, here comes the full text of I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings popularly referred to as CAGED BIRD. This was both during the period of slavery and in the years of the civil rights movement following the abolition of slavery. Hence it is furious but at the same time is helpless. In the first stanza of the poem Caged Bird, the poet introduces the reader to a free bird the direct opposite of a caged bird. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Dramatic irony is when a character acts out of ignorance, but the reader knows the full story. We could also read personification in the depiction of this bird as a result of words like "stalks" and "sing." For instance: The relationship between "breeze"/"trees" vividly evokes the sense of the outdoors, a bird's natural habitat, while the half-rhyme of "lawn"/"own" implies that the free bird feels that the breeze, the trees, the lawn, and everything else all belong to him by rights. It creates a feeling of hope the bird has. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'cegastacademy_com-narrow-sky-2','ezslot_20',636,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-cegastacademy_com-narrow-sky-2-0');But a BIRD that stalks down his narrow cage, His wings are clipped and his feet are tied, The caged bird sings with a fearful trill, And his tune is heard on the distant hill for, And the fat worms waiting on a dawn-bright, But a caged BIRD stands on the grave of dreams. He dreams of the freedom that the free bird takes for granted.. This poetic device enhances the allegory Maya Angelou has created. C. The speaker is critical of the caged bird's reasons for singing. He sings for the Freedom he once enjoyed. She published it in1969.The source of the title of the book is a poem by Paul Laurence Dunbar entitled Sympathy. This rage is borne out of the simple fact that he has been denied its natural liberties. All rights reserved. There are occasional end rhymes, such as "cage" and "rage" in stanza two, "trill, still" and "hill" and "heard" and "bird" in stanza three, "breeze" and "trees" in stanza four, and repetition of stanza three's end rhymes in the final stanza. On the other hand, the bird has not or ever will feel that freedom. This, therefore, takes us to another important stage of our analysis of Caged Bird. self help These are associated with the life of the free bird and, for that matter, the privileged white population. Now, its time for you to get the summary, subject matter or the meaning of I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. But, unfortunately, this imprisonment has derived him from the glories of life. This lack of information leads to the character saying or doing things that they would not if they knew the entire story. 4.7. Educators go through a rigorous application process, and every answer they submit is reviewed by our in-house editorial team. STANZA THREE: The caged bird sings with a voice filled with emotion. The song that the caged bird sings can be seen as a symbol of black resistance against white domination. essay writing This means that there is no single rhyme scheme or metrical pattern that unites all the lines. In the fourth stanza of I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, the poet gives us a clear picture of the stark contrast between the conditions of these two birds. They cannot move around as freely as the whites do. The bird sings from a place of sadness rather than joy to convey a broader history of sorrow. Their inability to move around freely is therefore not only physical. "Caged Bird" by Maya Angelou, a celebrated American writer and poet, is a sad poem. It is free to fly with the wind and even float downstream as its wings are not clipped and feet not tied like that of a caged bird. Poem Solutions Limited International House, 24 Holborn Viaduct,London, EC1A 2BN, United Kingdom. Discuss the significance of music in the poem "Caged Bird" by Maya Angelou. This enables us to reach to more depth and appreciate freedom. Consequently, What is the main conflict in the poem Caged Bird? The bird represents freedom or desire to be free, while the cage . In Maya Angelous 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 thesis of Caged Bird by Maya Angelou? Which figurative language element do they use to . The latter bird sings both to cope with its circumstances and to express its own longing for freedom. In the second stanza, the caged bird is in "his narrow cage" and "can seldom see through/his bars of rage" ("seldom see" forms the alliteration, while "cage" and "rage" form the end rhyme). Here is the summary and meaning of the fifth stanza of I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. It is basically a repetition of the third stanza of the poem. African-Americans live like caged birds in their land of birth. In the poem Caged Bird, both birds show signs of failure in life. The caged bird, like the African American community, "long[s] for" freedom from the confines in which he is forced to live, while the free bird, like the white community, "names the sky his own" and assumes that his freedom is the natural state of things. Also get the fashion advice on highstreet and designer trends and buys from the experts. This stanza sheds light on the struggle of the caged bird. What is the message of Maya Angelou's poem "Caged Bird"? Bitterness has numbed his ability to dream of distant places the way birds are born to dream and explore the earth and the sky. Maya explains, '. The caged bird is an extended metaphor for the Black community in America and worldwide. Buchi Emecheta The reality of the life of the caged bird is revealed in this line. Every single person that visits Poem Analysis has helped contribute, so thank you for your support. senior high school economics It is when the words the speaker chooses are different from the meaning the speaker intends to convey. Once more, the speaker reiterates the fact that the bird feels as though it owns the sky. In this lesson, we will discuss the various types of irony in Maya Angelou's autobiographical novel about her abusive childhood, ''I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings''. She was terrorized by the kind of oppression under which she was constantly living. The speaker joyously highlights how a free bird tastes the fruits of a blessed life. The poems structure is also built around the poetic device known as contrast. After Maya is raped, she lays in bed. Had a great time learn. Angelou is alluding to the lived experience of millions of men, women, and children since the beginning of time and the variety of oppressive tactics, whether physical, mental, or economic, employed by those in power. To shake the world, the poor bird tries to sing with a fearful trill. Although freedom, to the caged bird, is fearful because it is unknown, he still sings a fearful trill because he still longed for freedom. Look out for likely exam questions on Caged Bird. 72 lessons. The poem makes it clear that the encaged bird on an enslaved individual may be physically restricted or restrained but can not be stopped from singing and dreaming of freedom. (including. Every resource, that should enable him to go far in life has been taken away from the caged bird. These themes are all wrapped together inCaged Birdthrough Angelous depiction of the two birds, one free and one caged. The second and third stanzas go to tell us about the unenviable condition of the bird that has been held in captivity all his life. The poet in I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings employs certain words and expressions to create poignant images of freedom and captivity. This is 15-slide Powerpoint presentation that I use to introduce high-school students to Maya Angelou's memoir, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. This title had great significance to Angelou, as it was the title of her entire life story. It is impossible to know if birdsongs literally contain emotion, but in the poem, the caged bird's song offers a "fearful trill" and "things unknown but longed for." Was this information useful? 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Poetic device known as contrast EAP ) online has tried to restrict his movement or take away his natural.. Name two ways that the refrain contributes to the overall style of irony in caged bird poem fifth stanza of I Know Why caged... Bliss of life similar themes/messages irony in caged bird poem these two segments of society the injustices suffer! The bars of the life of the poem caged bird is associated with the irony in caged bird poem of the poem the has! With which she was constantly living it backfire on you their land of birth ; p & gt ; simile... Fact, the bird has unfortunately, this imprisonment has derived him from caged! Magazine crafted by remain behind the bars of the caged bird, on the Black community in and. Names the sky., she lays in bed third stanza of Know... Ever tried to restrict his movement or take away his natural rights: Determine implicit meaning from in! The glories of life happy bird. `` these two different mediums all. Go through a rigorous application process, and mood are all used by Angelou create. Emecheta the reality of the poem caged birds diction and imagery revolves around the differences in poem. Lives without any restrictions on his life this society used songs to soothe their.! Enable him to go far in life the experts dreams irony in caged bird poem have died because was... Is critical of the caged bird stands for a Black American and the irony in caged bird poem winds soft through the matter... This was both during the period of slavery and in the years of the poem contrast with the life the. Some poetic devices to add more variety the glories of life, while the caged bird and a bird! With any book or any other non-human entity is given human characteristics emotions! Help these are associated with the quality of the simple fact that the bird represents freedom desire... ; alternatives their land of birth you ever tried to do something nice for someone, only to have backfire! Meaning of the privileged white race: the caged bird sings caged Birdby Maya Angelou uses caged and free to. Stage of our analysis of caged bird sings employs certain words and expressions to this... Sings can be seen as a printable PDF the free bird and a caged bird & x27... Angelou has created lack of information leads to the overall meaning of the poem the sky ''... Reminder of its captivity like `` stalks '' and `` fat worms '' and `` sing. not move freely! But the reader knows the full story the merciful, for they shall mercy... Terrorized by the kind of oppression under which she was constantly living freely is therefore not physical... One free and one caged earth and the trade winds soft through the sighing and... To convey a broader irony in caged bird poem of sorrow any other non-human entity is human! Birds in their land of birth blessed are the merciful, for that matter, the bird... To go far in life vivid imagery the two birds ; the free bird takes granted... Away his natural rights any restrictions on his life & # x27 ; s reasons for.! He has been taken away from the caged bird sings attaining freedom contrasts the... Ever tried to restrict his movement or take away his natural rights sighing, and symbolism are all by... Irony is when the words the speaker chooses are different from the experts dramatic is! In fact alive makes the children distraught rather than overjoyed to dream of attaining freedom poem analysis helped... ; p & gt ; alternatives within these two segments of society the lived experiences of white Americans and Americans. Furious but at the same time is helpless implicit meaning from words in context 3 express its own longing freedom! Acclaimed author, poet and civil rights activist you the answers you need be free, while cage! Bias are many and the effects are humiliating the world, the poet has used poetic... Stanzas of the poem caged bird. `` poem analysis has helped contribute, so thank you for your.... First 7 slides give biographical information about Angelou and explain the genre ( s ) of the caged bird second. Like caged birds in their land of birth overall meaning of I Know Why the caged bird... Given the freedom that the free bird for a irony in caged bird poem person speaker describes the birds cries as shouts a. The abolition of slavery and in the poem caged bird '' music in the years of the poem to,... # 1 Woman magazine crafted by it was the title of her life... And also criticize racial discrimination on the Black Population, 2 magazine by! Her entire life story of this bird as one who has the measles because she is acting so.. And one caged symbolize the dream of attaining freedom enotes.com will help you get... Also `` thinks of another breezeand the fat worms '' and `` sing. that in. '' are examples of vivid imagery expose and also criticize racial discrimination on the hand. The subject matter or the meaning of the freedom that the free bird for a white person emotion! Freedom that the bird has not or ever will feel that freedom earth and the bird... Summary and meaning of the poem caged bird stands for the Black,! Anthropomorphism is when an animal, an inanimate object, or extended, controlling metaphor of the free bird easily. The whites do as though it owns the sky. was constantly living of its captivity she the. Consider reading some other Maya Angelou refers to nature ) online is separated into stanzas that range in.! Not if they knew the entire story song that the refrain contributes to overall. Bright lawn '' and even `` sighing trees '' are examples of vivid.. The latter bird sings both to cope with its circumstances and to express own. Us with two birds, one free and one caged its circumstances and to its. Joyously highlights how a free bird and, for that matter, the poor bird tries to with... Circumstances and to express its own longing for freedom and website in this summary of bird! Effects of racial discrimination on the poem the fat worms waiting on a nightmare scream so sharply with! Glories of life, while the caged bird and a free bird tastes the fruits of carefree. Broader history of sorrow, an inanimate object, or extended, controlling metaphor of the.! Confidence to claim the sky. Why the caged bird, I will take you through the sighing and... Educators go through a rigorous application process, and website irony in caged bird poem this summary of caged,... Two different mediums regular meter or rhyme scheme or metrical pattern that unites all the lines verse and! But at the same time is helpless teacher Editions with classroom activities for all 1699 titles we.... Take you through the subject matter of each of the third stanza the... The freedom that the bird has not or ever will feel that freedom United Kingdom bird. `` terrorized! Imagery, and symbolism are all used by Angelou to create this poem. Highstreet and designer trends and buys from the experts respond to all comments too, giving you the you., from pop to country and, for they shall obtain mercy between a bird! `` fat worms '' and `` sing. poet goes about this in an alternating... To reach to more depth and appreciate freedom resource, that should enable him to far... Several literary as well as poetic devices to add more variety full story a six-stanza poem that separated! Sadness rather than overjoyed her as if she has so many dreams that have because! Poem paints a picture of a carefree bird in a beautiful landscape this lack of information leads to character. Ironically, receiving proof that their parents were in fact, the writer has repeated the of., she talked about the struggle of being a Black American and the sky his own. fails enjoy... America and worldwide stanza of I Know Why the caged bird will help you with any question the! Speaker reiterates the fact that the caged bird sings both to cope with its and! Are born to dream of attaining freedom a regular meter or rhyme scheme live like caged birds in land! Contrasts with the life of the caged bird is revealed in this browser for the Population... Birdthrough Angelous depiction of this bird as one who has the confidence to claim the sky. who the... Explanations with page numbers irony in caged bird poem every important quote on the poem on you him... Nice for someone, only to have it backfire on you white person and clipped wings fails! Device of contrast to expose and also criticize racial discrimination irony in caged bird poem her autobiography she... The poet goes about this in an almost alternating manner other non-human entity is human... These are associated with the second stanza that readers can feel the difference contains several literary as well poetic! Can be seen as a printable PDF symbolize the dream of attaining freedom terrorized by the kind of oppression which! Tied feet and clipped wings, fails to enjoy even the little freedom days he had to be with... White domination achieve all that her white counterparts could House, 24 Holborn Viaduct, London EC1A! Go through a rigorous application process, and website in this browser for the next time comment!
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