caged bird poem analysis essay

Caged Bird Summary & Analysis by Maya Angelou

• Line-by-Line Explanation & Analysis
• Poetic Devices
• Vocabulary & References
• Form, Meter, & Rhyme Scheme
• Line-by-Line Explanations

"Caged Bird" was published in Maya Angelou's 1983 poetry collection Shaker, Why Don't You Sing? 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 latter bird sings both to cope with its circumstances and to express its own longing for freedom. Using the extended metaphor of these two birds, Angelou paints a critical portrait of oppression in which she illuminates the privilege and entitlement of the un-oppressed, and conveys the simultaneous experience of suffering and emotional resilience. In particular, the poem's extended metaphor can be seen as portraying the experience of being a Black person in America.

• Read the full text of “Caged Bird”

The Full Text of “Caged Bird”

“caged bird” summary, “caged bird” themes.

Oppression and the African-American Experience

• Lines 15-22
• Lines 27-38

Freedom vs. Captivity

Freedom as a Universal and Natural Right

• Lines 31-38

Line-by-Line Explanation & Analysis of “Caged Bird”

A free bird ... ... claim the sky.

But a bird ... ... throat to sing.

The caged bird ... ... sings of freedom.

• Lines 23-26

The free bird ... ... sky his own

• Lines 27-30

But a caged ... ... throat to sing.

“Caged Bird” Symbols

• Line 9: “narrow cage”
• Line 11: “his bars of rage”
• Line 15: “caged”
• Line 21: “caged”
• Line 27: “caged”
• Line 31: “caged”
• Line 37: “caged”

The Free and Caged Birds

• Line 14: “so he opens his throat to sing.”
• Lines 15-22: “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.”
• Line 30: “so he opens his throat to sing.”
• Lines 31-38: “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.”

“Caged Bird” Poetic Devices & Figurative Language

• Line 1: “A free bird”
• Line 7: “and dares to claim the sky”
• Line 15: “The caged bird sings”
• Lines 21-22: “for the caged bird / sings of freedom.”
• Line 23: “The free bird thinks of another breeze”
• Line 24: “and the trade winds”
• Line 26: “and he names the sky his own”
• Lines 30-31: “so he opens his throat to sing. / The caged bird sings”
• Lines 37-38: “for the caged bird / sings of freedom.”
• Line 1: “ee,” “ea”
• Line 4: “e,” “e”
• Line 5: “i,” “i,” “i”
• Line 6: “i,” “a”
• Line 7: “ai”
• Line 11: “i”
• Line 12: “i,” “i,” “i”
• Line 13: “i”
• Line 14: “o,” “o,” “i,” “oa,” “i”
• Line 15: “i”
• Line 16: “i,” “i”
• Line 17: “i,” “u”
• Line 18: “u,” “i”
• Line 19: “i,” “i”
• Line 20: “i,” “i”
• Line 22: “i”
• Line 23: “ee,” “i,” “ee”
• Line 25: “o,” “a,” “a”
• Line 27: “a,” “a”
• Line 29: “i,” “i,” “i,” “i”
• Line 30: “o,” “e,” “o,” “i,” “roa,” “i”
• Line 31: “i”
• Line 32: “i”
• Line 33: “i,” “u”
• Line 34: “u,” “i”
• Line 35: “i,” “i”
• Line 36: “i,” “i”
• Line 38: “i”
• Line 1: “r,” “b,” “r”
• Line 2: “th,” “b,” “th,” “w,” “n,” “d”
• Line 3: “n,” “d,” “t,” “s,” “d,” “w,” “n,” “s,” “t”
• Line 4: “t,” “n,” “t,” “n,” “d”
• Line 5: “n,” “d,” “d,” “w”
• Line 6: “n,” “r,” “n,” “n,” “r,” “s”
• Line 7: “d,” “d,” “r,” “s,” “c,” “sk”
• Line 8: “B,” “t,” “b,” “t,” “s,” “t,” “k,” “s”
• Line 9: “w,” “n,” “n,” “w,” “c”
• Line 10: “c,” “n,” “s,” “s”
• Line 11: “h,” “s,” “r,” “s,” “r”
• Line 12: “h,” “s,” “s,” “r,” “d ,” “d”
• Line 13: “h,” “t,” “t”
• Line 14: “s,” “h,” “s,” “h,” “s,” “t,” “t,” “s”
• Line 15: “d,” “r,” “d”
• Line 16: “th,” “f,” “r,” “f,” “l,” “r,” “ll”
• Line 17: “th,” “n,” “g,” “n,” “n,” “n”
• Line 18: “t,” “n,” “g,” “t”
• Line 19: “n,” “h,” “s,” “t,” “n,” “s,” “h,” “d”
• Line 20: “n,” “d,” “t,” “n,” “t,” “h”
• Line 21: “r,” “d,” “r,” “d”
• Line 22: “f,” “f,” “r,” “d”
• Line 23: “Th,” “f,” “r,” “b,” “r,” “th,” “th,” “r,” “b,” “r”
• Line 24: “n,” “d,” “tr,” “d,” “n,” “d,” “s,” “s,” “th,” “gh,” “th,” “s,” “gh,” “tr,” “s”
• Line 25: “n,” “t,” “w,” “w,” “t,” “n,” “n,” “t,” “n”
• Line 26: “n,” “h,” “n,” “s,” “h,” “s,” “n”
• Line 27: “B,” “t,” “d,” “b,” “r,” “d,” “t,” “n,” “d,” “s,” “n,” “r,” “r,” “s”
• Line 28: “s,” “sh,” “sh,” “t,” “s,” “n,” “n,” “t,” “m,” “r,” “s,” “r,” “m”
• Line 29: “h,” “s,” “s,” “r,” “d,” “d,” “h,” “s,” “t,” “r,” “t,” “d”
• Line 30: “s,” “h,” “s,” “h,” “s,” “t,” “t,” “s”
• Line 31: “d,” “r,” “d”
• Line 32: “th,” “f,” “r,” “f,” “l,” “r,” “ll”
• Line 33: “f,” “th,” “n,” “g,” “n,” “n,” “n”
• Line 34: “t,” “ng,” “t”
• Line 35: “n,” “h,” “s,” “t,” “n,” “s,” “h,” “d”
• Line 36: “n,” “d,” “t,” “t,” “h”
• Line 37: “r,” “d,” “r,” “d”
• Line 38: “f,” “f,” “d”
• Lines 12-13: “his wings are clipped and / his feet are tied”
• Line 29: “his wings are clipped and his feet are tied”

Pathetic Fallacy

• Line 7: “dares to claim the sky”
• Lines 16-18: “with a fearful trill / of things unknown / but longed for still”
• Lines 23-24: “The free bird thinks of another breeze / and / soft through the sighing trees”
• Line 24: “ the trade winds”
• Line 26: “he names the sky his own”
• Line 27: “But ”
• Lines 27-28: “a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams / his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream”
• Lines 31-34: “The caged bird sings / with a fearful trill / of things unknown / but longed for still”

Juxtaposition

• Lines 23-30
• Lines 19-20
• Lines 35-36
• Line 7: “dares to claim the sky.”
• Line 8: “But a bird”
• Line 11: “his”
• Line 12: “his”
• Line 13: “his”
• Line 15: “The caged bird”
• Line 23: “The free bird”
• Line 24: “and”
• Line 25: “and”
• Line 26: “and,” “names the sky his own”
• Line 27: “But a caged bird”
• Line 28: “his”
• Line 29: “his”
• Line 31: “The caged bird”
• Lines 1-2: “leaps / on”
• Lines 3-4: “downstream / till”
• Lines 5-6: “wing / in”
• Lines 8-9: “stalks / down”
• Lines 9-10: “cage / can”
• Lines 10-11: “through / his”
• Lines 12-13: “and / his”
• Lines 15-16: “sings / with”
• Lines 16-17: “trill / of”
• Lines 17-18: “unknown / but”
• Lines 19-20: “heard / on”
• Lines 21-22: “bird / sings”
• Lines 31-32: “sings / with”
• Lines 32-33: “trill / of”
• Lines 33-34: “unknown / but”
• Lines 35-36: “heard / on”
• Lines 37-38: “bird / sings”

Extended Metaphor

End-stopped line.

• Line 2: “wind”
• Line 4: “ends”
• Line 6: “rays”
• Line 7: “sky.”
• Line 11: “rage”
• Line 13: “tied”
• Line 14: “sing.”
• Line 18: “still”
• Line 20: “hill”
• Line 22: “freedom.”
• Line 23: “breeze”
• Line 24: “trees”
• Line 25: “lawn”
• Line 26: “own”
• Line 27: “dreams”
• Line 28: “scream”
• Line 29: “tied”
• Line 30: “sing.”
• Line 34: “still”
• Line 36: “hill”
• Line 38: “freedom.”

Alliteration

• Line 1: “f,” “b”
• Line 2: “b”
• Line 3: “f,” “d”
• Line 5: “d”
• Line 7: “d”
• Line 8: “B,” “b”
• Line 9: “c”
• Line 10: “c,” “s,” “s”
• Line 12: “c”
• Line 14: “h,” “h”
• Line 19: “h,” “h”
• Line 20: “h”
• Line 23: “b,” “b”
• Line 24: “t,” “r,” “s,” “s,” “tr”
• Line 25: “w,” “w”
• Line 27: “B,” “b”
• Line 28: “sh,” “sh”
• Line 30: “h,” “h”
• Line 35: “h,” “h”
• Line 36: “h”

“Caged Bird” Vocabulary

Select any word below to get its definition in the context of the poem. The words are listed in the order in which they appear in the poem.

• Trade winds
• (Location in poem: Line 2: “back”)

Form, Meter, & Rhyme Scheme of “Caged Bird”

Rhyme scheme, “caged bird” speaker, “caged bird” setting, literary and historical context of “caged bird”, more “caged bird” resources, external resources.

The Poem Out Loud — Video of Maya Angelou performing and reading her work.

Angelou's Life and Work — A brief biography of Maya Angelou by Poetry Foundation.

"Sympathy" — Paul Laurence Dunbar's poem, which inspired Angelou's image of the "caged bird."

Angelou at the Presidential Inauguration — A clip of Maya Angelou reading "Still I Rise" at the presidential inauguration of Bill Clinton in 1993.

An Oprah Interview — A video clip of Maya Angelou being interviewed by Oprah Winfrey in 1993

LitCharts on Other Poems by Maya Angelou

Harlem Hopscotch

Life Doesn't Frighten Me

On the Pulse of Morning

Phenomenal Woman

Still I Rise

When Great Trees Fall

Ask LitCharts AI: The answer to your questions

A Summary and Analysis of Maya Angelou’s ‘Caged Bird’

By Dr Oliver Tearle (Loughborough University)

‘Caged Bird’ is a 1983 poem by the African-American poet and memoirist Maya Angelou (1928-2014). The poem originally appeared in Angelou’s collection Shaker, Why Don’t You Sing? The poem uses the image of a caged bird to explore issues of confinement, oppression, and restriction.

You can read ‘Caged Bird’ here before proceeding to our analysis of Angelou’s poem below.

The poem is divided into six stanzas. In the first stanza, Angelou describes a free bird leaping in the wind, floating through the air until its wing appears to touch the rays of the sun. She likens this to the bird ‘claiming’ the sky, like someone claiming a particular territory as their possession.

By contrast, the second stanza describes the caged bird which provides the poem with its title. This bird’s horizons are far narrower than the free bird’s: he (Angelou describes the bird as male) has been rendered almost blind by his anger at having his wings clipped so he cannot fly away. His feet are tied together to limit his movement further. All he can do is sing – so he opens his throat to do so.

The third stanza tells us what the caged bird’s song consists of. He sings in a frightened manner, about things he doesn’t know or hasn’t experienced (such as freedom, we assume) but which he longs to have. Although he is imprisoned in his cage, the bird’s song can travel beyond the bars of his cage and be heard on a hill far away.

In the fourth stanza, Angelou returns to the free bird, who, she imagines, thinks of the territory of the air and sky which he had claimed as his own in the opening stanza. This bird also thinks of the worms waiting for him on a lawn somewhere, which he will be able to eat.

The fifth stanza once again contrasts this free bird’s existence with that of the caged bird. The caged bird stands upon a grave which represents the death of dreams (for instance, of a better life, such as that enjoyed by the free bird). The bird’s shadow is cast upon the wall behind it where it stands in its caged, its feet tied and wings clipped, and it once again prepares to sing.

The sixth and final stanza is a word-for-word repetition of the poem’s third stanza, in which the caged bird sings in a frightened manner, about things he doesn’t know or hasn’t experienced but which he longs to have. Although he is imprisoned in his cage, the bird’s song can travel beyond the bars of his cage and be heard on a hill far away.

In this poem, Maya Angelou gives voice to a common theme of the American Civil Rights movement : the longing for freedom and equality. The free bird is able to live as a free agent, and has dominion over the sky that is his natural habitat. By contrast, the caged bird is bound and his wings are clipped to restrict his movements, so he cannot live the life he was born to live.

Angelou’s contrast and juxtaposition between the free and caged birds offers a powerful metaphor, or analogy, for the struggle of African Americans to win their freedom: freedom from discrimination and oppression, and freedom to live as white Americans live.

Twenty years before she published ‘Caged Bird’, Maya Angelou had been an important participant in the Civil Rights struggle. One of the most rousing moments of the struggle came in 1963, the year of the march on Washington , which saw some 210,000 African Americans gather at the Washington Monument before marching to the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C., the US capital.

They were marching for several reasons, including jobs, but the main reason was freedom: King and many other Civil Rights leaders sought to remove segregation of black and white Americans and to ensure black Americans were treated the same as white Americans. 1963 was the centenary of the Emancipation Proclamation , in which then US President Abraham Lincoln (1809-65) had freed the African slaves in the United States in 1863.

Slavery was now a thing of the past in the US, but a century on from the abolition of slavery, Black Americans were still not free in many respects. This is something Martin Luther King addressed in his memorable ‘I Have a Dream’ speech delivered that day at the Lincoln Memorial. In his speech, King outlined a dream or aspiration in which America was no longer a nation divided by racial segregation and discrimination, and African Americans were truly free, not just by being freed from slavery, but by being recognised as equal in the eyes of the nation’s laws.

Angelou’s reference to the ‘grave of dreams’ in the fifth stanza of her poem may even be intended as an allusion to King, whose ‘dream’ of racial equality had still not been fully realised. King himself was dead, having been assassinated in 1968. Did the dream of an equal society die with King, Angelou seems to ask? Is it with King in his grave?

Angelou does not make the birds ‘white’ and ‘black’, with the caged bird being the latter (unlike, say, Paul McCartney’s song, ‘ Blackbird ’, about the Civil Rights movement). And through resisting such reductive symbolism, she allows ‘Caged Bird’ to resonate as both a poem about racial inequality in the US and a more universal statement about inequality of all kinds, whether caused by race, class, or some other factor.

There are just two things which define the caged bird: the fact that he is caged and tied and unable to fly, and the fact that he can sing. In other words, he has a voice, as Martin Luther King had a voice back in Washington in 1963. And through singing, he can draw attention to his plight and the injustice of his condition. Perhaps Angelou is also recalling William Blake’s memorable couplet from his ‘ Auguries of Innocence ’:

A Robin Red breast in a Cage Puts all Heaven in a Rage

Angelou’s poem is not strictly in free verse , because she utilises rhyme at various points, and there is the ghost of a metre behind her lines. For example, the stanzas beginning ‘The caged bird sings’ are largely written in iambic dimeter, which involves two iambs per line. But the form is not stringently regular either, such as we’d find in a traditional sonnet, for example.

The poem thus combines freedom and restraint, aptly echoing, through its form, the plights of the two very different birds – birds who are, in the last analysis, not different at all, of course, but merely subject to very different circumstances.

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Poetry Analysis of Maya Angelou's Caged Bird Essay

Poetry Analysis of Maya Angelou's Caged Bird ‘Caged Bird’ is a poem written by Maya Angelou which considers the conditions of the ‘free bird’ and the ‘caged bird’. Actually this contrast between the birds enables her to express her own emotions about freedom and isolation. The poem is quite symbolic so there are various hidden messages she tries to convey about her feelings mostly indirectly. In the first stanza Maya Angelou breathes life into her description of the ‘free bird’ by using verbs like ‘leaps’, ‘floats’, ‘dips’. The ‘free bird’ is a symbol of freedom and these well-chosen verbs are especially meaningful because they contain joy and energy – this is a hint for us to discover how Maya Angelou feels about freedom as well. …show more content…

In the second and third stanza she goes on to describe the ‘caged bird’ by using words like ‘bars of rage’, ‘grave’, ‘fearful’, ‘shadow’. These ominous words are references to isolation and they are disturbing compared with freedom. This method of contrast that she uses throughout the poem is powerful to highlight the comfort of freedom and how the poet achieves a better understanding of the ease of freedom by comparing it with something worse. Maya Angelou also uses irony to be cleverer and effective but less direct in conveying her feelings. ‘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. This relief enables us to reach to more depth and appreciate freedom. Another device Maya Angelou uses to emphasize the beauty of freedom is by repetition. The fact that the third stanza is repeated at the end is for emphasis because it reflects the two birds that are different. ‘For the caged bird sings of freedom’ is the last line of the poem and it delivers a very important message for the reader - the caged bird wants to be like the free bird. This tells us that we should be aware and thankful for the freedom we have and basically this sums up the whole poem. The rhyme tries to create pattern of neatness and containment – ‘trill’, ‘still’, ‘hill’ and

Sympathy By Paul Lawrence Dunbar Essay

African Americans suffered through oppression in the past. Many people were afraid to talk about the struggles they faced daily. They were afraid that their voice would not be heard or that it was a crime to speak on how they felt. Thankfully, two poets became that voice; Maya Angelou and Paul Laurence Dunbar in their extraordinary poems about the deserved freedom of African-Americans. In Sympathy by Paul Dubar and I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou, they both use the image of a bird in a cage to communicate their thoughts on life and freedom.

To Kill A Mockingbird By Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou’s use of symbolism in the book is used to describe her displacement in society and how difficult it is to find self-identity, revealing the form of being a “Caged bird.” Maya is a caged bird because she is aware of the displacement of blacks in America and the entitlement and freedom of whites. “if growing up is as painful for the southern girl, being aware of her displacement is the rust on the razor that threatens the throat” (Angelou 4). Angelou is aware because of the color of her skin, she is living in a society that does not want her or anyone who looks like her. With her awareness Angelou, “...escapes stasis to become a subject in the perpetual process of forming and emerging. It is a dynamic subjectivity that emerges out

We All Know Why The Caged Bird Sings

Maya Angelou is a leader by example, she sets the standard by her actions and the stories she tells teaches the audience a lesson. Majority of her work is to inform us of the past and she wants us to learn from her experiences in life; she is a life teacher. The purpose of this poem was to inform us of the history of our country. The poem is titled “I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings” and her purpose of writing this is to teach the reader why the caged bird sings. Maya Angelou wants to put the reader in her shoes to get the ultimate experience of racial inequality but instead by taking the role of a caged bird or a free bird.

Adversity In Poetry

The authors message in this poem is that never ever give up in whatever situation we are in and to express ourselves even though the stronger wants to suppress the weaker. This poem can be considered as the poet’s personal expression. Maya Angelou can be symbolised as the caged bird in the poem. The poet feels like a caged bird because she had no freedom when the African Americans were fighting for equality during the civil rights movement. Maya Angelou is said to have a strong personality as she overcame many adversities and became the famous figure she is

Deep In The Forest Of Frederick Douglass’S Autobiography,

Deep in the forest of Frederick Douglass’s autobiography, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, the caged bird sings on. The singing slaves in Douglass’s narrative are the caged birds of Maya Angelou’s famous poem, filling the air around them with desire: desire for a freedom so far out of reach—for “things unknown but longed for still.”

A Long Way Gone By Emily Bronte

The first element our writers used to express their message of wanting to be free is form. The narrator for ‘The Caged Bird” feels alone and wishes to be able to snatch the chains that keep her tied down. Also, in the poem “Sympathy” by Dunbar as well an in “The Caged Bird” both authors used a bird to symbolize the captivity and aspiration for freedom. Both poets wrote their piece in lyric form because of obvious reasons. A lyric poem is defined as a poem that expresses personal and emotional feelings. Writing poems with this form shows the amount of deep emotion that the narrator feels toward this work. In addition, both authors wrote their poems in iambic pentameter to make the poem sound like a natural flow of speech to really show the deep feelings the poets are feeling.

Sympathy Paul Laurence Dunbar Poem Analysis

Through the poems “Sympathy” by Paul Laurence Dunbar and “Caged Bird” by Maya Angelou it is evident freedom is a desire for all beings, and this is conveyed through symbolism and juxtaposition.. “Sympathy” is a poem that expresses a caged bird’s desire to be free and it’s pain, as well as the poet’s connections to the bird. The poet writes, “I know why the caged bird beats his wing/Till its blood is red on the cruel bars/For he must fly back to his perch and cling/When he fain would be on the bough a-swing” (Dunbar 8-11). The bird symbolizes freedom is a desire for all beings. The bird is a symbol for being trapped, confined, or restricted. The bird tries to escape so desperately to the point where there is blood on the bars. This is an urgent

Decision Making In Langston Hughes

In Maya Angelou’s poem, “Caged Bird”, She explains how a bird is trapped inside of a cage and can not escape from thick metal bars that hold it back. It imagines and signs of having freedom. People believe this is about a bird, but what if it isn’t. I believe that this is talking about a person who can’t make the decision if they want to keep fighting to do free.The bird can’t decide if it wants to fight to soon wear the bars of the cage down so it can finally fly away aswell or to give up and use its voice and

Literary Analysis Of Maya Angelou's 'Caged Bird'

In Maya Angelou’s poem, “Caged Bird”, I interpret that it’s about a person that is limited by their past. In the first stanza, the author wrote, “... and dips his wings in the orange sun rays and dares to claim the sky”(Maya Angelou). The bird takes in the world's beauty, but is afraid to capture it. The limit is the sky for the bird. In the poem, it states, “..his wings are clipped and his feet are tied”(Maya Angelou). Limitations keep the bird standing in his cage of worry. He is worried about the unknown that could be the future. In the 5th stanza, Maya Angelou wrote, “But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams”(Maya Angelou). Dead dreams are all the bird sees. It doesn’t let those dreams, come back to life because he limits the chance for those dreams to become a reality.

The Poem Sympathy By Paul Lawrence Dunbar

In the poem, “Sympathy” by Paul Lawrence Dunbar, and the response to the literature, “Caged Bird” by Maya Angelou are structured around the symbol of a caged bird. As the caged bird is the symbol of the African American race during that time, both have similar and different meanings in their responses.

Comparing Dunbar's Sympathy And Caged

After the abolition of slavery the South became racially segregated and set many restrictions on African Americans. In the poem Sympathy by Paul Laurence Dunbar and Caged Bird by Maya Angelou, these authors portray a caged bird trying to break free from their cage. The authors use this bird as a metaphor to show the oppression and restrictions against blacks. The symbol of the caged bird is important because it shows the reality for oppressed black people and reveals their resistance to racism.

Paul Laurence Dunbar Sympathy Essay

In “I Know Why the Caged Birds Sings”, Maya Angelou wanted to show how people really felt about the freedom of others and how it was all taken for granted. In the poem “Sympathy”, Dunbar feels that he is confined to a world where freedom is not his, and he is only able to watch the world from his cage. Maya Angelou uses “the bird, which represents someone with the freedom to fly. “ But a plea, that upward to Heave he flings- I know why the caged brings sings”, means his voice is the only thing in him that can’t be locked behind bars of the cage, where it seems to give him freedom to his heart.

Analysis Of The Poem ' Caged Bird ' By Maya Angelou

The poem “Caged Bird” by Maya Angelou tells the story of two birds: one bird has the luxury of freedom and the second bird lives its life caged and maltreated by an unknown tyrant. Maya Angelou wrote this poem during the Civil Rights Era, the period when black activists in the 1950’s and 1960’s fought for desegregation of African Americans. This poem parallels the oppression that African Americans were fighting during this time period. In “Caged Bird”, Angelou builds a strong contrast that shows the historical context of discrimination and segregation through the use of mood, symbolism, and theme.

Maya Angelou And Emily Dickinson's Caged Bird And Hope Is The Thing With Feathers

However, in the poem “Caged Bird” Maya Angelou characterizes the free and caged bird as, one bird symbolizing imprisonment and limitations while the other symbolizes freedom, which further develops the theme of inequality. The line “And dares to claim the sky” shows how unaware the free bird is and further develops the idea of its freedom. This piece of evidence shows how unaware the free bird is by exaggerating the extent of its freedom compared to the caged bird. In

Analysis Of I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings

Near the end of the poem it is revealed that the bird “opens his throat to sing” Maya Angelou felt this way in her own life. She wrote, sang and danced because it was her way of expressing her longing for freedom despite being oppressed for most of her life. Although freedom, to the caged bird, is “fearful” because it is “unknown”, he still sings “a fearful trill”. The cries of help are heard but the overarching parents only hear it as background noise.

Related Topics

• I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
• Maya Angelou

by Maya Angelou

Caged bird summary and analysis of "caged bird".

In the first stanza, the speaker describes a bird taking flight and gliding on a wind current. The bird revels in its freedom, feeling the warmth of sun rays on its wings as it flaps them. The speaker describes the free bird's flight as "dar[ing] to claim the sky."

The second stanza introduces a comparison of the free bird to a caged bird. Imprisoned, the caged bird stalks his cage and feels rage over having clipped wings and tied feet. The flight-limiting cage, wing clipping, and tied feet prompt the bird to sing.

In the third stanza, the speaker says the caged bird sings a song infused with a fear of the things the bird does not know but longs for nonetheless. The caged bird's tune reaches a distant hill because it is a song yearning for freedom.

Stanza four returns to the free bird, who contemplates the arrival of another strong wind and thinks about the fat worms which await him on lawns in the morning. He claims the sky as his own.

The fifth stanza shifts back to the caged bird, whose perch is "the grave of dreams" and whose "shadow shouts on a nightmare scream." Because his wings are clipped and his feet tied, he opens his throat to sing.

The sixth and final stanza is a word-for-word repeat of the third stanza. The caged bird sings a song that is fearful of the things the bird does not know but for which it longs. The speaker concludes the poem by repeating that the song reaches a distant hill because "the caged bird sings of freedom."

Through juxtaposing the symbolic experiences of two birds—one free and one caged— Maya Angelou explores themes of freedom, oppression, and resilience. The result is an allegory for the comparative experiences of white Americans who take their freedom and privilege for granted and Black Americans who face systemic racial and economic oppression, and yet because of this oppression, have a deeper and truer knowledge of what freedom is.

In terms of form, “ Caged Bird ” comprises six stanzas of free verse. The poem also uses an inconsistent rhyme scheme that combines occasional end rhymes, slant rhymes, and internal rhymes. Angelou establishes rhythm in the first line through the use of iambs, which creates a stress pattern of a short syllable followed by a long syllable: e.g. a FREE bird LEAPS.

However, as the poem is written in free verse, Angelou often breaks with the iambic rhythm to subvert the listener’s expectation of how the line will sound. For example, the third stanza begins with what would be four lines of iambic dimeter were it not for the introduction of a fifth syllable in the second line (“with a fearful trill”). The effect of breaking the rhythm—making it slightly off-balance—is that Angelou captures in her language the “fearful trill” being described.

Angelou also uses enjambment—the continuation of a clause or sentence over multiple lines—to enhance the images she describes. The first stanza, in which the free bird takes flight and drifts on the wind, is a single sentence extended over seven lines. The effect of Angelou’s lineation is to make the language itself seem to float along the same wind current on which the free bird glides. Interestingly, Angelou also uses enjambment in the second stanza, but puts the device to different effect: rather than enhancing a sense of freedom, enjambment in the second stanza emphasizes the caged bird’s claustrophobia and desperation.

Another device Angelou uses to great effect in “Caged Bird” is repetition in various forms. The omniscient speaker shifts between the perspectives of the free bird and the caged bird, a repetition that establishes the juxtaposition between the two birds’ experiences and invites the reader to compare them. Repetition also occurs on the line level: The last three lines of the second stanza (“his wings are clipped and / his feet are tied / so he opens his throat to sing”) repeat exactly as the last two lines of the fifth stanza.

More significantly, the third stanza is repeated word-for-word in the final stanza. With her repetition, Angelou draws the reader’s attention to the image of the bird singing his song of freedom. The effect is to underscore how the caged bird, because he lacks the variety freedom offers, continues to sing as his only recourse for expressing the longing his confinement engenders. In this way, the repetition highlights both the monotony of the bird’s existence and his sustained resilience in the face of that monotony.

“Caged Bird” also uses repetition in the sense that its premise is a repetition of the basic conceptual idea of Paul Laurence Dunbar’s 1899 poem “Sympathy,” in which the speaker sympathizes with a caged bird who beats its wings against its cage and sings. Angelou used the line “I know why the caged bird sings!” for the title of her 1969 autobiography, and returned to the premise of a poetic speaker sympathizing with a caged bird in “Caged Bird.” Angelou’s poem is in conversation with Dunbar’s symbolic verse about the bondage of slavery to suggest that even from her post-Civil Rights Movement vantage, the legacy of white supremacy in the United States continues to negatively impact the Black community.

Like Dunbar’s speaker, Angelou’s speaker sympathizes with the oppressed caged bird. Angelou’s speaker also attributes an attitude of entitlement and obliviousness to the free bird, who “dares to claim the sky” and “names the sky his own.” The free bird is akin to privileged white Americans who benefit from the inequality built into the foundation of U.S. governance and the U.S. economy. By contrast, the caged bird is akin to Black Americans who, despite being born into structures that limit their freedom and oppress them, sustain a spiritual resilience that transcends their material conditions.

Caged Bird Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for Caged Bird is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

The free bird can claim the sky: a metaphor for free blacks in the United States, while a caged bird is in his 'bar of rage' . The caged bird represents oppressed blacks in the United States.

Symbolic structure of caged bird

The caged bird’s song is a symbol for the freedom he longs for but has never known. Confined to a cage, the bird uses the power of his voice to move through the airspace his body cannot access. Although the bird cannot fly, he can still express...

Through juxtaposing a bird who feels entitled to his freedom and a caged bird who longs for a freedom he has never known, "Caged Bird" presents an allegory for the difference between how white and Black Americans, respectively, experience their...

Study Guide for Caged Bird

Caged Bird study guide contains a biography of Maya Angelou, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

• About Caged Bird
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Essays for Caged Bird

Caged Bird essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of Caged Bird by Maya Angelou.

• Maya Angelou & Protest Poetry: An Essay

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Analysis: “Caged Bird”

“Caged Bird” features an extended metaphor that compares the plight of the birds in the poem to oppressed people in the real world. Angelou’s entire literary career corresponded with her activism for social justice for Black Americans and for women, and this poem works as an activist message for both groups.

The caged bird metaphor is an allusion to a poem by Paul Laurence Dunbar called “Sympathy” (1899). Dunbar’s poem is also about the plight of Black Americans, and Angelou appropriated it for the title of her first autobiography, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings , which details Angelou’s early years navigating childhood trauma and racism.

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Caged Bird Analysis: Unveiling Maya Angelou’s Poetic Metaphor

In the realm of poetry, metaphors serve as bridges between the literal and the figurative, often encapsulating complex emotions and societal issues. The term “caged bird” is one such powerful metaphor, symbolizing entrapment and the yearning for freedom. Maya Angelou’s poem “Caged Bird” masterfully employs this metaphor to delve into themes of liberty and confinement. Through her poignant verses, Angelou not only reflects on her personal struggles but also echoes the collective voice of those marginalized by oppression.

Understanding the layered meanings within “Caged Bird” requires a literary analysis that goes beyond the surface. By dissecting the poem’s themes, imagery, and symbolism, readers can appreciate how Angelou contrasts the experiences of a caged bird with its free counterpart to comment on broader societal constraints. Moreover, examining the poem’s structure and historical context enriches our grasp of its message and relevance.

As we embark on this analytical journey, we uncover how Angelou’s work resonates with civil rights movements and continues to inspire discussions about freedom and justice in contemporary society. This exploration not only highlights Angelou’s impact on literature but also underscores her contribution to social awareness through the enduring power of her words. Exploring the Themes and Imagery in “Caged Bird”

Maya Angelou’s “Caged Bird” sings a poignant tune of freedom versus oppression. The poem juxtaposes the experiences of a free bird with those of a caged bird, using vivid imagery to illustrate their contrasting lives. The free bird “leaps on the back of the wind” and enjoys the vastness of the sky, symbolizing liberty and opportunity. In stark contrast, the caged bird is trapped, its wings clipped and feet tied, embodying the pain of confinement.

Angelou’s choice of symbols is deeply personal. The caged bird reflects her own life experiences, including racial discrimination and personal trauma. Its song, despite its captivity, represents resilience and hope—a yearning for freedom that resonates with Angelou’s struggles as an African American woman.

The poem’s powerful imagery serves as a metaphor for the civil rights movement, echoing the collective cry for equality. The caged bird’s fear can be felt through Angelou’s words, yet its melody is heard “on the distant hill,” symbolizing an undying spirit that reaches for change. This metaphorical caged bird not only speaks to Angelou’s personal narrative but also to a universal quest for freedom in the face of oppression. Dissecting the Poetic Craft and Context of “Caged Bird”

Maya Angelou’s “Caged Bird” is not only rich in metaphor but also in its poetic structure. The poem’s consistent rhyme scheme and meter create a melody that contrasts the painful reality of the caged bird with the hopeful tune of freedom. For example, Angelou uses an ABCB rhyme pattern, which subtly guides the reader through the narrative without being overly predictable.

The historical and cultural context is vital to understanding the poem’s depth. Written during a time when civil rights were at the forefront of American consciousness, Angelou’s words echo the struggles for racial equality. The caged bird represents individuals bound by societal chains, while the free bird symbolizes those who take their liberties for granted.

Angelou’s poem extends beyond personal expression to resonate with broader civil rights issues. It reflects a universal longing for freedom and justice, making it a timeless piece that continues to inspire those who feel silenced or oppressed. Through her poetic craft, Angelou not only captures her own experiences but also amplifies the voices of many who have been historically marginalized. Understanding the Flight of Angelou’s Words

In conclusion, our analysis of Maya Angelou’s “Caged Bird” has revealed the poem’s profound layers, from its poignant themes of freedom and oppression to its rich imagery and symbolism. The caged bird, a metaphor for those bound by societal constraints, contrasts starkly with the free bird’s autonomy, mirroring Angelou’s own life experiences and struggles. The poem’s structure and form further enhance its message, while its historical context grounds it in the civil rights movement.

The relevance of “Caged Bird” endures in contemporary society as it continues to resonate with individuals facing various forms of bondage. Angelou’s work remains a testament to the power of literature in advocating social awareness and change. Her poetic metaphor transcends time, encouraging readers to reflect on freedom’s value and the ongoing fight against oppression. Through “Caged Bird,” Maya Angelou has left an indelible mark on literature and continues to inspire the quest for equality and justice worldwide.

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Analysis of the Poem Caged Bird by Maya Angelou Essay Example

It was battered, and bruised; could the bird bear to stare into the abyss. Its wings thrashed as it could only stare into the world beyond. Indefinitely held back by society, could it reach the freedom it craves? In Caged Bird, Maya Angelou uses ethos, pathos, and logos to create an asperous tone to convey to readers the significance of breaking free from prejudice.

Angelou utilizes ethos with the symbol of the free bird and caged bird. The caged bird has to ¨stalks” in the empty cage, and cannot see through the ¨bars of rage” while the free bird “names the sky his own” (Angelou). The caged bird is a symbol for the oppressed; the bird displays ethos as it partakes in the same toil of being held back. The free bird contrasts; it isn’t held down; it achieves as it desires. Angelou’s use of ethos depicts how being tormented by the violation of one's self-rights is a violation of their freedom.

Logos is evident throughout Angelou's poem. With the bird's "wings" being "clipped" it depicts the bird's inability to be free and go where it desires; the unrestricted bird "dips his wing" being able willingly to go anywhere on its own will (Angelou). The bird not being able to fly presents people's judgment, making one uneasy because of others' treatment. People shouldn’t be emotionally impacted negatively because of others' misjudgement due to what one cannot control, and instead be judged on who they are. Logos is woven into the Caged Bird and it amplifies the yearning for freedom.

Angelou incorporates pathos into each stanza. The free bird's "shadow shouts" and has a "nightmare scream" indicating the negative emotions of being caged (Angelou). The bird’s life is being compared to a nightmare scream; the ominous scream completes the bird's feelings of lack of contentment. Prejudice hurts a person emotionally, bringing them on the brink of insanity.

Angelou uses ethos, pathos, and logos to create a helpless tone to express to readers the seriousness of all individuals being able to reach freedom. Angelou’s poem consists of symbolism, with the free, and caged bird representing contrasting people in society. Those who are held back by preconceptions are often struggling to feel free in their daily lives.

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‘Caged Bird’ by Maya Angelou – Poem Analysis

Here’s part of an analysis of the poem ‘Caged Bird’ by Maya Angelou, tailored toward GCSE/IGCSE students but also suitable for those studying Angelou at a higher level.

Includes a breakdown of the stanzas, an insight into the context of the poem, and an exploration of the themes and deeper meanings. This is only a quick overview to help you get to grips with the poem; you can access a full in-depth breakdown of the poem below.

Thanks for reading! If you’re studying this particular poem, you can buy our  detailed study guide here . This includes:

• Story + Summary
• Speaker + Voice
• Language Feature Analysis
• Form and Structure Analysis
• Attitudes + Messages
• Themes + Deeper Ideas
• Extra tasks to complete by yourself

You can find the complete Cambridge IGCSE Poetry course by clicking here . For a limited time, our Cambridge IGCSE Poetry course is 15% off ; just use the code ‘ CIE ‘ at checkout! For all our English Literature and Language courses, click here .

“The free bird leaps

on the back of the wind..”

Maya Angelou

(Full poem unable to be reproduced due to copyright)

STORY / SUMMARY

The lyric poem makes a comparison between two types of birds: birds that are free, and birds that are caged.

Stanza 1 : When a bird is free it claims the sky by flying. 

Stanza 2 : When a caged bird is unable to fly because his wings are clipped and his legs are tied, he sings a song.

Stanza 3 : The caged bird trills for his sound to be heard from afar — and sings of freedom. 

Stanza 4 : A free bird thinks of nice breezes and times where the fat worms are ready to be eaten, and he calls the sky his own.  

Stanza 5 : A caged bird is tied and clipped, he has a “nightmare scream” that shows his suffering.  Stanza 6 : The caged bird trills for his sound to be heard from afar — stanza 3 and stanza 6 are the same, they are a refrain that repeats and underscores the ideas of the poem, the main idea being that a caged bird sings of freedom.

• The title “Caged Bird” suggests that while there are two subjects in the poem — the caged bird and the free bird — the former bird that is trapped is really the main focus. Angelou encourages both trapped and free people alike to listen to her poem and empathise with the plight of oppressed people. Those who are trapped may better understand their difficulties and lack of privileges, whereas those who are free may better appreciate what they have and work harder to free the oppressed.  
• The caged bird symbolizes African-Americans, who are desperately trying to get their voices heard by the American public. Even though African-Americans have a cage in front of them, their voices can be heard. African-Americans were treated differently in America, though they wanted to be equal.
• Civil Rights — a political movement in the mid-1960s that campaigned for African Americans to have equal rights and proper integration with white Americans. Slavery was abolished a long time before (1865), but since that time African Americans had still not been treated equally — they had to go to separate schools, ride separate buses and eat in separate restaurants. This was called segregation, and it led white people to still consider African Americans as separate from and inferior to themselves.  Though legally the African Americans were no longer enslaved, many argued that socially and culturally they were still ostracised and not at all provided with the same opportunities as other people in America. So, in the 1960s a lot of people campaigned to get this changed, led by political leaders such as Martin Luther King and Malcolm X. Support for this movement occurred in the US and around the world. 
• Angelou wrote the poem in 1968 , at a time when the Civil Rights Movement was gaining power and the social oppression of African Americans was finally starting to change. Her voice is one of many voices that collaborated at this time to encourage the emancipation of her people.

Maya Angelou’s autobiography is also called “ I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings” , showing her strong connection to the poem — perhaps she views herself as a caged bird too and identifies with victims of oppression.

THEMES / ATTITUDES

Nature vs Unnatural

• The bird is supposed to be free and allowed to fly, and it enjoys life when it is this way. When the bird is caged with clipped wings, it becomes sad and can only find enjoyment when thinking of freedom.
• Angelou is suggesting that captivity and oppression are unnatural states for living things to exist in. The state itself leads to a change in behaviour and breaks the spirit and soul of the captive being. 

Freedom vs Captivity 

• Birds are supposed to be in nature and not in cages, and in the same way men are supposed to live freely, with equality of opportunity. 
• The state of freedom is a privilege, and people should appreciate what they have when they are not being oppressed or controlled by governments or social pressure. 
• Being set free and the need to be freed from constraints is the central idea of the poem.

Human nature and Creativity

• Humans are creative, expressive individuals and even in times of difficulty they can find moments of hope or positivity, such as the way a bird will sing when trapped in a cage
• However, it is not in human nature to enjoy, accept, or even get used to captivity — arguably, it is not in the nature of any animal to enjoy this. A state of freedom should be a given right to all individuals, not a privilege for some and an impossible dream for others. 
• The poem is a political allegory — though it tells the story of two birds, it is really a way of expressing the political systems and forces that keep some people in a state of captivity for their whole lives. 
• There is a positive and motivational political message behind the poem – there is no anger or resentment towards the “free bird”, i.e. the white people, instead there is just a desire to be free like them. 
• The poem explores the way in which racial inequality can lead to oppression and lack of opportunity within societies that do not encourage racial integration. 
• The “bird” in the cage and “bird” in the sky are the same, perhaps suggesting that Angelou feels we are all the same species and should get along as equals.

Thanks for reading!

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Critical Analysis of the Poem 'Caged Bird' by Maya Angelou through the Theme of Freedom

This paper analyzes Maya Angelou's poem under the theme of 'freedom' through two literary devices: tone and choice of words.

Related Papers

saima Perveen

In this research paper, the researcher has tried to find out the image of black female depicted in Maya Angelou's poems. This research has been conducted by qualitative and analytical method because this research has not numerical data. After collecting data, the researcher has analyzed poems and supported by particular idea of feminist Sara Mills. The researcher has chosen only three poems of ‘Still I Rise’, ‘Phenomenal Woman’ and ‘Caged Bird’. This study has been conducted by the use of black feminism. This research gives rise to enhance the argument in literature studies particularly Black Feminism self-esteem. The analysis has explained that black woman’s different images are depicted in Maya Angelou's poems. In the first poem ‘Still I Rise’, Maya Angelou presents black female as a leader of the movement and challenges the society arrangement about black people. In the second poem, ‘Phenomenal Woman’, Maya Angelou describes a standard of beauty that beauty is not having beautiful face and slim smart body and thin lip. She says that a black woman can be phenomenal woman through her confidence and good personality and proud herself being black woman. In last poem ‘Caged Bird’, Maya Angelou shows underdevelopment of black woman due to tradition. As a coloured woman Maya Angelou raises her voice and says that soon, black people will be free. The present research concludes that author is presenting theme of hope in all above poems and she is a courageous black woman. Keywords: black feminism, Maya Angelou, identity and coloured women

Farah Nisar

African Americans also known as Black Americans or Afro-Americans, are citizens or residents of the United States who have total or partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa. African Americans constitute the second largest racial and ethnic minority in the United States. They are descendants of enslaved blacks of the United States.

SAIKAT GUHA

Shiva Amelirad_Shafiei , Leila Naderi

Abstract: The black female writers who have made a significant contribution to African American Literature knew that it was necessary to tell their stories which were influential in their struggle against the forces of domination in the American canon. Although Angelou’s poetry has a large public, it does not have the deserved esteem. This article explores the fact that Angelou, through her outstanding poems, illustrates the black female voice and expresses her criticism of discrimination and injustice. Meanwhile, she tries to create a culture to celebrate the notion that Black subject is beautiful and unique.

Dr.THAHIYA AFZAL

Angelou’s autobiographical self-narrative prose and resonant poetry echo each other interlinking the personality of the prose-writer and the poet persona together as one person – the dynamic – Maya Angelou. I know why the Caged Bird Sings, Angelou’s debut as an autobiographer, is the dramatized narrative of racial and sexual forces as they shape the individual black female self (body and mind) in the ‘south of segregation’. Reading the black and female body in the text means exploring an ‘identity’ built on fracture, on the razor edge between silence and songs, death and survival.

Sadiqa B A T O O L Naqvi

Script Journal

This study aimed to find out the kinds of figurative language in the five selected poetries of Maya Angelou, the titles are: Alone, Caged Bird, Old Folks Laugh, Phenomenal Woman, Still I Rise. The focus of this study is figurative language which involves

Gholnecsar "Gholdy" Muhammad

PADMORE AGBEMABIESE

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Caged Bird Analysis Essay

“Caged Bird” is a poem by Maya Angelou that tells the story of a bird who is trapped and cannot fly free. The bird represents all those who are oppressed and feel like they can never be truly free. Angelou’s powerful words inspire hope and show that it is possible to break free from oppression. This poem is a classic example of Angelou’s work which often deals with themes of race, identity, and injustice.

“Caged Bird” is a poem by Maya Angelou, which was published in 1983 and describes people of her race as the caged bird while the other bird represents white supremacy. During Maya Angelou’s childhood, African Americans were subjected to prejudice and a variety of challenges. The only logical option for these individuals to defend themselves was through speech. To demonstrate how African Americans strived for liberty even when their rulers did not listen to them, Angelou employs repetition.

Furthermore, the use of literary devices such as allusion, simile, and metaphors are used to enhance the message being sent across. In conclusion, Caged Bird is a poem that will make people think about how African Americans were feeling during Maya Angelou’s time and even now.”

“His wings are cut short and his toes are bound, so he opens his throat to sing.”(Angelou) The writer is implying that the bird is being held back but nevertheless has a voice. In order to draw attention to a certain situation, expressing the obvious disrespect was the only option in this period of time.

“The caged African American “stalks down his cramped cage,” which prevents him from seeing much beyond his rage-filled bars” (Angelou) is suggesting that Americans of African descent are furious because they have and continue to live through this tragedy.

They were put in cages, comparable to being slaves and didn’t have any voice or power. The Caged bird “sings of freedom” because he/she longs for it. This poem is very symbolic because it’s not only about the physical restraints of a caged bird, but also about how African Americans felt during that time, which was trapped and unspoken for.

Caged Bird is a poem about, as the title suggests, a caged bird. But this isn’t just any old bird – this bird represents African Americans and the struggles they faced during Maya Angelou’s lifetime (and even today). The poem starts with the image of the bird being caged and unable to fly. This represents the physical restraints that were placed on African Americans, both before and during Angelou’s lifetime.

But it also represents the mental and emotional restraints that kept them from speaking out against their oppression. The bird is forced to sing of freedom, because that is what he longs for. But even though he knows freedom is out there, he can never reach it. This poem is a powerful symbol of the African American experience and the struggle for equality.

People have always believed that black people are different from the rest of society. She, Maya Angelou, was someone who hoped for a better result from the circumstances faced by African Americans. The caged bird’s voice has a greater significance because it emerges out of pain yet still retains one thing that can’t be taken away: its voice.

The Caged Bird is a poem about the struggles of African Americans and how they are forced to live in a society that does not see them as equal. The poem is also about how African Americans have to fight for their freedom and rights. Maya Angelou was an African American poet, author, and civil rights activist. She was born on April 4th, 1928, in St. Louis, Missouri. Her real name is Marguerite Annie Johnson.

She has written many books, including her autobiography, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (1969). In this poem, she uses the metaphor of a caged bird to describe the experience of being black in America. The bird is caged because it is different from the other birds. It is not free to fly or sing like the other birds. The bird is also Caught in a cycle of pain and suffering.

But despite all of this, the bird still has its voice. It can still sing. And it uses its voice to express its joy, hope, and defiance. Even though the bird is caged, it is still free in its own way. This poem is about the strength and resilience of African Americans in the face of oppression. It is also about how African Americans have always used their voices to fight for freedom and equality.

Blacks were persecuted because of their race, but they vocally demanded their freedom. Racial segregation is something that many minorities would prefer to never have existed, since it appears to be a step backward rather than pushing the next generation to achieve greater things. One of the most significant trends in order to make the environment more pleasant and loving is removing the mental barrier and attempting to understand other races.

“Caged Bird” is a poem about the struggles and inequality that African Americans faced during the years of segregation. The poem also speaks to the idea of hope, and how despite the struggles, there will always be a way to break free. Maya Angelou was an African American writer and Civil Rights activist who is best known for her poems and books.

Maya Angelou’s poem “Caged Bird” is about her own life, in which she felt like a caged bird because of her lesser rights as a white person. “A free bird leaps on the wind and floats downstream until the current ends and dips his wing in the orange sun rays, daring to claim the sky. But a wild animal that searches for traps with rage-filled eyes sees only his wings are clipped and his feet are bound so he opens his throat to sing.”

This poem is Maya Angelou way of showing how she felt during her life. Even though she was not able to do everything that she wanted in life, she still tried to make the best of it. “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.” (line 10-14)

Maya Angelou is trying to say that even though she was not able to be free, she was still able to sing about it and hope for the best. Caged bird is a powerful poem written by Maya Angelou that reflects on her own life experiences.

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I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou Analysis

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The free bird leaps on the back of the wind and floats down stream till the current ends and dips his wings in the orange sun rays  

But a bird that stalks down his narrow cage can seldom see through his bar of rage his wings are clipped his feet are tied so he opens his throat to sing

The caged bird sings with fearful trill of the things unknown but longed for still and his tune is heard on the distant hill for the caged bird sings of freedom

The free bird thinks of another breeze and the trade winds soft through the sighing trees and the fat worms waiting on a dawn bright lawn and he names the sky his own

But the caged bird stands on the grave of dreams his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream his wings are clipped and his feet are tied so he opens his throat to sing

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Post a comment.

great sir !

This is really helpfull

Not helpful at all😡🤬😡🤬😡🤬

You're privileged to speak your mind, unlike the caged bird. Good for you.

Thank you..

Very helpful sir

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