I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings Poem

Some differences include how the bird in “Sympathy” mutilates himself in an effort to free himself while the bird in “Cage Bird” simply sings for his freedom. Another difference is the fact that we can infer that the bird in caged bird has been entrapped all his life whilst the bird in “Sympathy” has not (as he is not fearful of the outside). Overall both poems are very good and are very meaningful but at the end the poem “Sympathy” by Paul Laurence Dunbar is more meaningful because he includes many more chilling details about the bird and the conditions of the cage in which the bird spends all his

In “Sympathy”, the bird beats his wing to escape but then begins imploring or sings a prayer to the help of a higher power for freedom such as “Caged Bird”, which both have a metaphor that’s mutual. “When his wing is bruised and bosom sore… a prayer that he sends from his heart’s deep core, but a plea… Heaven flings… caged bird sings…” (6, 19-21). As analyzing and intricately the poem, it shows how some objects are symbolizing others. “caged bird beats his wing … Till its blood is red on the cruel bars… pain throbs in the old, old scars…”(8, 9, 12). Such as the caged being the segregation, being African Americans and the beat of the wing a movement towards freedom.

The last line of the poem is “for the caged bird sings for freedom” (Angelou) this tells us that the caged bird yearns to be like the free bird. Angelou uses several descriptive images for the reader to be able to envision her words: bird, winds, floats and sky for freedom because the free bird has power, as “he soars in the sky” (Angelou) and clipped wings, tied feet and cage for confinement because the caged bird is oppressed as “caged bird sings with a fearful trill of things unknown.”(Angelou) The caged bird never loses hope that he will one day be free, so he

In a way, Angelou sets her own tone, with a unique style. She captivates a historical period, that is turned in to a story of its own. Angelou uses a metaphoric way to compare a free bird to the “white race” while the encaged one is “African American”. There is also some assonance where she states, “But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams.” Another poetic device is alliteration, she explains “A bird in a narrow cage, can see through his bars of rage”. The tone is angry but yet determined, whereas the surroundings will not cause defeat.

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings: A Metaphorical Criticism Maya Angelou is an acclaimed American poet, public speaker, activist, author and educator who is most famous for her roles as a spokesperson for black Americans and women. In her poem, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” written in 1969, Angelou describes her struggles with racism, which she was exposed to and dealt with since childhood. By using Metaphor Criticism, we will delve deeper into what it means to be a survivor of such cruelty. We will also examine Angelou’s rhetorical efforts and her use of imagery, symbolism and the extended metaphor as well as of being a caged bird versus as free bird. When exploring a metaphor, two major domains must be addressed: One must acknowledge the tenor, which is the topic or subject that is being explained, and the vehicle, which is the mechanism or lens for which the topic is viewed (Foss 267).

67-72) In wondering about the raven, the narrator shows his curiosity, distracting him from loneliness and sadness. The difference between the first and second section is that in the first the speaker is mainly sad and confused, while in the second he is mostly curious. The third section of “The Raven” includes the breakdown of the narrator’s mind, and the conclusion to the poem. The raven’s constant repetition of the word “nevermore” brings the speaker to the verge of a psychotic break; proven by: “‘Wretch,’ I cried, ‘thy God hath lent thee—by these angels he hath sent thee // Respite—respite and nepenthe from thy memories of Lenore…’” (ll. 81-82) This was the beginning of the narrator’s breakdown, eventually leading to his own vocal assault on the bird: “Be that word our sign of parting, bird or fiend!” I shrieked, upstarting— “Get thee back into the tempest and the Night’s Plutonian shore!

The father warns the boy of of the Babble-Voice’s vicious teeth and sharp claws. He also explains the Jabberwocky is attracted to the song of the birds, and where there is one, there is probably more, so he must be cautious.

But, the stories are different because of the poetic structure, tame or wild animals, and simple of sophisticated diction. First, the author’s style is similar in “Predators” and “A Blessing”. Both of the poems have sound devices. For example, in “A Blessing” the author repeats the word “they” several times at the beginning of each line, “they ripple tensely, they can hardly contain their happiness” and “they bow shyly as wet swans. They love each other.” In “Predators” the author has an alliteration, “in the trust that many tales spun this tract long before I came.” The sound devices give more details and can help the poem flow better.

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings Book Review It is not an unknown fact that the world has seen many accounts of racial prejudice and how that prejudice leads to purification. The way visible differences make men turn upon one another. It is a thought provoking idea, for if men turn on each other then what would be the fate of females, for the behaviour of women is far crueler. Set in the 1930s, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou, gives a personal, yet honest look at racial prejudice in the United States of America towards the black minority. Born Marguerite Annie Johnson, Maya Angelou, the young protagonist, is sent with her older brother Bailey, to live with their grandmother in the racially segregated, southern town of Stamps,

She uses lots of hidden meanings and symbols throughout. Such as In the first part the ‘free bird’ is a symbol of freedom she shows this as she says “A free bird leaps on the back of the wind and floats downstream till the current ends,”( Angelou 494) this shows a sense of jubilusness and elatation towards freedom. This is also a hint for us to discover how Maya Angelou feels about freedom as well. In the second part she goes on to describe the ‘Caged bird’ by saying “The caged bird sings with a fearful trill of things unknown but longed for still, his tune is heard on the distant hill for the caged bird sings of freedom.” ( Angelou, 494) This shows some references to isolation and they are praying for freedom but afraid of what might be ahead. The description of the caged bird is sorrowful compared to the free bird the comparison that she reveals throughout the poem, highlight the comfort of