I Know Why A Caged Bird Sings poem analysis
Discuss how the poet contrasts the life of a free bird and a caged bird.
This characteristic is shown when the author writes “a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams.” The quote further proves the idea that the caged bird only has dreams, but it is unable to fulfil them because of their lack of courage. Also, a caged bird is unable to enjoy the freedom of other birds due to its cage, clipped wings, and tied feet as seen from ???his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream his wings are clipped and hit feet are tied???. There is consonance of ???l??? in ???the caged bird sings with a fearful trill of things unknown but longed for still???. Here, the caged bird is shown longing for freedom but not working towards it due to it being fearful.
As one can see, the two birds are like two whole different worlds; the life of a free bird and a caged bird is highly contrasting.
How does the poet make you feel about the plight of the caged bird How does she evoke such feelings in you
The entire poem is a metaphor, with the caged bird representing those who have not freedom. From the second and third stanzas:
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 caged bird sings with a fearful trill / Of things unknown but longed for still / And his tune is heard on the distant hill for / The caged bird sings of freedom.
A caged bird is portrayed as it is unable to enjoy the freedom of other birds due to its cage, clipped wings, and tied feet. The cage bird plight is shown here: it can do nothing, living its live in agony, in despair. There is nothing it can do, except to live its life the way it is now. Due to the cage, it is being controlled and confined, not able to develop well. Its freedom is taken away from it.
Feelings were invoked in me as I analyzed the poem: freedom is symbolized by the caged birds beautiful song. As long as the bird is in the cage, it will not reach his true potential.
The quotes ???but longed for still and his tune is heard on the distant hill for the caged bird sings of freedom??? and ???wings are clipped and his feet are tied??? effectively shows the plight of a caged bird. The repetition of ???his wings are clipped and his feet are tied so he opens his throat to sing??? and ???the cage bird sings with a fearful thrill of things unknown but longed for still??? emphasizes how a caged bird is being confined. It seems as if the caged bird is being compared or contrasted to people in the modern society. The caged bird could be any group of oppressed people. It could mean individuals. The cage seem to be able to represent society, physical barriers, fear, addiction or any self-defeating behavior, with the birds song representing the true self that longs for something greater in life.