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Analysis Of Marrysong And Caged Bird

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How do the techniques of symbolism and metaphor convey ideas in the poems 'Marrysong’ and ‘caged bird?' The poems Marrysong and Caged bird by Dennis Scott and Maya Angelou adopt the techniques of metaphor and symbolism to effectively communicate the main ideas in these two poems. A number of differences can be explored in regards to the poems’ theme and tone, but similarities through the poems’ techniques.The first poem has a theme of unpredictability and is about two partners who don't have a perfect love but learn to accept one another for who they are. Angelou’s use of metaphor and symbolism for the second poem sensationally capture the poem's theme of African-American civil rights and strive for racial equality. Dennis Scott’s Marrysong …show more content…

The ‘free bird represents Caucasian people and the caged bird, African-American people. Angelou uses a range of metaphors to convey the abundance of opportunities and advantages given to the ‘free bird’ - further contrasting the two birds/races and how they are forced to/get to live their lives. The metaphor ‘a free bird leaps on the back of the wind’ represents those free opportunities and advantages that white people are handed, the free bird is getting a free ride in life by riding the ‘wind’ - by using the advantages of the race they were born into. The word ‘leapes’ has connotations of freedom and being careless - something that the caged bird is not/ isn't able to be. When the ‘free bird dips his wing in the orange sun rays’, it is representing an abundance of opportunities and freedom. The word ‘dips’ creates that idea of there being plenty, and the free bird is only dipping into or grasping a small part of those plentiful opportunities. The phrase ‘dares to claim the sky’ is symbolism for white men believing they own everything and are able to control everyone. Angelou uses the word ‘dares’ to effectively portray her feelings on this conceived idea by white men (typically), this word has connotations of having consequences. Its as if the author is warning the free bird not to ‘claim the sky’, …show more content…

However, as a reader, I personally find Angelus contrast of rights and advantages determined by the colour of one's skin/race in ‘Caged bird’ more interesting and relatable. It has a greater sense of reality and sparks more emotion than ‘Marrysong’. Although I find Scott's theme of perseverance in a confused love and a man trying to map out his spouses unpredictable personality touching, i cannot relate or feel as involved as I do with the theme of ‘Caged bird’ - where Angelou highlights the idea of acceptance and the significance of equality throughout all

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