Its vision of freedom is not there as it has to remain behind the bars of the cage. To conclude, Caged Bird by Maya Angelou is a sad poem that reflects the troubles of the minorities. Alliteration, the repetition of consonant sounds, is used for emphasis on phrasing. Hopkins, African Prose Lessons for SHS (Second Class Citizen), Chapter by Chapter Summaries of Second Class Citizen, 50+ General Arts Job Opportunities for Students, Chapter 2 Summary of Second Class Citizen, Black Woman Analyzed: Subject Matter, Themes and Poetic Devices, Second Class Citizen Summarized: Plot Summary, Themes & Characters, 50+ List of Characters in Second Class Citizen, 22 Reading Comprehension Past Questions and Answers, 90+ Likely Grammatical Name (Past) Questions and Answers, Top 7 Reasons for the Colonization of Africa, Bookshop: High School Textbooks for Sale (PDF), English Language Audio Lessons Free (mp3), Download Key WASSCE PDFs, E-Books and More, July 2002 WAEC Economics Questions and Answers, 2001 WAEC Economics Questions and Answers (Nov-Dec), WASSCE 2000 Economics Questions and Answers, WASSCE 2002 Economics Past Questions and Answers, Is It You and Me or You and I? The cage, clearly, is a symbol of captivity. The poet is telling the reader about what the bird goes through when trying to escape the cage. Here are other instances of metaphor in the poem. The major conflict in the poem is . copyright 2003-2023 Study.com. This makes the wind seem fast moving and powerful, and yet it something the free bird has learned to use for his own ends. She is a powerful feminist writer of Afro-American ethnicity. Paul Laurence Dunbar's poem, which inspired Angelou's image of the "caged bird.". LitCharts Teacher Editions. Maya Angelou uses caged and free birds to symbolize the dream of attaining freedom. The poet in I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings employs certain words and expressions to create poignant images of freedom and captivity. Dr. Angelou 's grandson, Colin, reminisces that music was such a huge part of his grandmother's life. Which figurative language element do they use to . But, at least, he still has his throat to force out a cry for freedom. 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? Again, she uses metaphors in the use of two birds "free bird" and . 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. Irony poems by famous poets and best irony poems to feel good. Specifically, the African American communitys efforts to achieve equality in every part of life and break free from the confines of personal and institutional racism. past questions Blacks, on the other hand, have been reduced to a state of deprivation, anger and despair because of their lack of opportunities. The reality of the life of the caged bird is revealed in this line. He also blogs at BloggingtotheMax.com. You may need to read the poem multiple times to pick out the various poetic devices Angelou has employed within it, but as you can hopefully see from the examples above, there are plenty of devices to choose from. the use of song is a reference to how slaves in the nineteenth century gather at Congo Square to sing as a way of remembering their heritage. She uses "he/his" pronouns instead of the typical "it/its," a subtle tactic that often creates a more relatable character for readers. teacherbarfield. Afterwards, take the quiz to see what you learned. Thus, the poet has used the poetic device of contrast to expose and also criticize racial discrimination in her native land. C. The speaker is critical of the caged bird's reasons for singing. The last line states, For the caged bird sings of freedom. With this, the speaker implies that although the caged bird may never have experienced freedom, he still sings of it because he was created for freedom. "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. 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. Your email address will not be published. Get the entire guide to Caged Bird as a printable PDF. senior high school government The word "metaphor" comes from the Greek word mothphoros, which means "one who transfers." In other words, a metaphor is someone or something that stands in . Their inability to move around freely is therefore not only physical. It is significant to note, however, that the poet devotes most of the lines of the poem to the plight of the caged bird. 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. The poem 'I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings' is written by poetess Maya Angelou. This enables us to reach to more depth and appreciate freedom. English for life Caged Bird study guide contains a biography of Maya Angelou, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. The caged bird symbolizes Maya herself, who had to face a lot of discrimination, harassment, and assault from a very early age. It stands for all the impediments put in the way of blacks in their attempt to reach higher and realize their potential. 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. It is not until Bailey changes the sheets on her bed and finds her dirty underwear that they all realize that Maya has been hurt. and he names the sky his own. In addition to using metaphor, Angelou utilizes repetition to reinforce the idea that African Americans cried out for freedom from oppression even in the bleakest of times when their oppressors did not want to "hear" them. Best irony poems ever written. They are, at the same time, the perpetrators of racial injustice against the black population. from Maryville University of Saint Louis Ed.D. Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on LitCharts. All it can do is sing fearfully of what it wants and does not know. Also get the fashion advice on highstreet and designer trends and buys from the experts. This means that there is no single rhyme scheme or metrical pattern that unites all the lines. It stands for their hope for the future and their inner strength to fight and demand freedom from their oppressors. In particular, the poem's extended metaphor can be seen as portraying the experience of being a Black person in America. . 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 MEANING AND SUMMARY OF RAIDER OF THE TREASURE TROVE. She claims his wings are clipped, and his feet are tied. Text from her autobiography reveals that Angelou often felt this way in life. What is the main conflict in the poem caged bird? Let's look at some examples of the three types of irony from this novel. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings develops around the metaphors of a free bird and one held in captivity. from University of Missouri-Columbia B.A. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Our work is created by a team of talented poetry experts, to provide an in-depth look into poetry, like no other. In the first stanza Maya Angelou breathes life into her description of a 'free bird' by using verbs like 'leaps','floats', 'dips'. 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. 9th - 12th grade . "Caged Bird" anthropomorphizes both the caged bird and the free bird, describing them both with human thoughts and emotions. 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. 4.7. Is I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings an appropriate title for Maya Angelous poem? 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. But, unfortunately, this imprisonment has derived him from the glories of life. Learn how your comment data is processed. Also, his songs are heard far away as distant hills because the poor bird sings about Freedom. . Caged Bird, or IKnow Why the Caged Bird Sings as the poem is sometimes referred to, by Maya Angelou, is arguably one of the most moving and eye-opening poems ever written. Verbal irony is sometimes sarcastic. 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. RACIAL DISCRIMINATION: rage, throat, sing, things unknown, dreams, shadow, nightmare, NATURE: bird, wind, downstream, current, suns rays, breeze, trees, hills, Note that while the free bird easily gets access to the elements (all opportunities) and can claim the sky as his own, the hills (personal growth and achievement) are out of reach for the caged bird. Throughout the poem, the poet compares and contrasts their quality of life. Two birds have long been a symbol of love, peace, and devotion, What do the birds symbolize? The fact that the caged bird sings of freedom despite its current situation conveys a feeling of . This is basically about the significance of the song or singing in the lives of blacks in American society. The speaker also shares the caged bird's desire for freedom. The poem presents us with two birds; the free bird and a caged bird. 2020 TrendyQueen : #1 Woman magazine crafted by. 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. Because a captive is just like a slave. Question 5. That bird stands on the grave of dreams. This reveals the authors feelings about her own dreams. (a) The caged bird can not fly freely in the sky. (OOP1, lines 8-17) B. Dramatic irony is when a character acts out of ignorance, but the reader knows the full story. Find related themes, quotes, symbols, characters, and more. This excerpt from Maya Angelou's, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings pairs beautifully with "Sympathy," a short poem by Paul Laurence Dunbar. A a simile B irony ***C an allusion D plagiarism ____5) Angelou repeats lines 12 - 14 later in lines 29 - 30. . She wrote and sang and danced because it was her way of expressing her longing for freedom. 2023 eNotes.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved. They cannot move around as freely as the whites do. bible knowledge So easy to understand. The author felt this way in her own life. Matthew 5:6-7 NKJV. When You Are Old Analysis. 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. Discover the latest news on love, work and money, fashion and beauty, health, self-improvement and entertainment. Much of the poem Caged Birds diction and imagery revolves around the differences in the conditions of these two segments of society. So, here comes the full text of I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings popularly referred to as CAGED BIRD. But, there are some examples of an iambic meter. His terrifying imprisonment bars him from enjoying the true colors of life. The caged bird that sings represents the blacks that suffer from the effects of racial inequality. Share. A video clip of Maya Angelou being interviewed by Oprah Winfrey in 1993, (read the full definition & explanation with examples). The bird, moreover, is personified when she says that he "dares to claim the sky" and, later, that "he names the sky his own.". Let us know your assignment type and we'll make sure to get you exactly the kind of answer you need. Lets now turn our attention to our next theme in this analysis of Caged Bird. The free bird flies around the wind currents, feeling like the sky belongs to him. The tone with which she writes the first and third stanzas so sharply contrasts with the second stanza that readers can feel the difference. We respond to all comments too, giving you the answers you need. "Caged Bird" by Maya Angelou, a celebrated American writer and poet, is a sad poem. There are several themes like race, change and freedom, which explains the survival of the fittest. grammatical name The same is true in the fifth stanza as the caged bird's "shadow shouts on a nightmare scream.". The poems structure is also built around the poetic device known as contrast. He dreams of the freedom that the free bird takes for granted. The second line of this stanza is not only dark but even frightening. The first line serves to starkly contrast the last line in the third stanza. Imagery is the authors use of words to create a sensory experience for the reader. This quote was taken by the poet Maya Angelou, who stressed the idea of equality in many of her works. Discrimination and racism made up her cage, and although she sang, she felt her voice was not heard in the wide world but only by those nearest her cage. Angelou also uses metaphor in the first stanza to compare the wind to water, saying that the free bird "floats downstream / till the current ends." 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. The lack of freedom in Caged Bird inspires the caged bird to sing while the free bird does not. In the beginning, she artistically draws the carefree and joyous flight of the free bird who flaps his wings in the air and freely claims the sky. Genre. Caged Birdis filled with powerful themes. The words 'downstream' and 'current' make us think of the tides in a sea or ocean. 2023. Who are the experts?Our certified Educators are real professors, teachers, and scholars who use their academic expertise to tackle your toughest questions. 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 t, In the first stanza, Maya Angelou refers to nature. Similarly, she has used imagery to create a mental picture of the words in her readers mind, such as; and the fat worms waiting on a bright dawn lawn and But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams.. This rage is borne out of the simple fact that he has been denied its natural liberties. The imagery used in the poems allows a vision of what the bird was like before being in a cage. He does not sing to rejuvenate himself. Dramatic irony occurs when the reader is aware of some facts that some of the characters do not know. The poet uses metaphor (an indirect comparison) when she compares wind to water. Have you ever tried to do something nice for someone, only to have it backfire on you? This post gives analysis and summary of Maya Angelou's Caged Bird (WAEC & IGCSE). 42 minutes ago. An example from the poem includes his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream. According to the poem, the free bird can best be described as. It seems that he is destined to live in this way, and there seems no hope of any change. The free bird, on the other hand, is representative of the privileged white race. Download the entire Caged Bird study guide as a printable PDF! In other words, the oppressed blacks use music, in general, and songs in particular, not only to cope with the racial injustice and lack of freedom they suffer but also to fight against it. This adds to the overall musicality of the poem. This stanza highlights the suffering of the bird who stalks down in his narrow imprisonment. Further, they had songs that were symbols of defiance and of their struggle for freedom. She was terrorized by the kind of oppression under which she was constantly living. In the poem "Caged Bird," Angelou uses clear imagery and unique diction to approach the idea of freedom. adult education sings of freedom. But it is the only tool a captive can have since it is coming from the inside, his throat, and therefore cannot be easily taken away.His wings are clipped and his feet are tiedSo he opens his throat to sing. Its angry and frustrating. Next The Themes Of The Caged Bird By Maya Angelou The bird singing in the poem is also a symbol of hope and resilience in the face of oppression. The caged bird has difficulty flying. Poem Solutions Limited International House, 24 Holborn Viaduct,London, EC1A 2BN, United Kingdom. mock tests A metaphor is a figure of speech that, for rhetorical effect, directly refers to one thing by mentioning another. A video clip of Maya Angelou being interviewed by Oprah Winfrey in 1993, 24and the trade winds soft through the sighing trees, 25and the fat worms waiting on a dawn bright lawn, 27But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams, 28his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream, 29his wings are clipped and his feet are tied, Instant downloads of all 1699 LitChart PDFs Here is a country in which the whites are the ones who have an almost exclusive grip on political and economic power. African prose You must not ignore the following literary devices in your analysis of I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. It is what the condition of the caged bird refers to. Because he has not been denied one. Like many other words associated with nature imagery in the poem, the sky is there for only the free bird to claim. Private Study A song may appear to be a weak weapon for fighting captivity. Sometimes, verbal irony is sarcastic. The original text plus a side-by-side modern translation of. To make her words sound louder, she divided this poem into five stanzas carrying different verses. She describes how a free bird leaps on the back of the wind. She describes the birds flight against the orange sky. 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 Angelous poem, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings exposes and criticizes the state of affairs in an American society blighted by the scourge of racial discrimination. 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. 4.7. It sings for its freedom, and everyone, even far distant, can hear its song. ", Angelou makes extensive use of pathetic fallacy, the attribution of human feelings to inanimate objects or animals. Black men, women, and children see throughbars while the free bird sores in the sky. The caged individuals may be held back by beliefs or fears or even others who are holding them back or enslaving them in some way. Unlike the free bird in the first stanza of I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, the Caged bird, in the second stanza, is full of rage and resentment. A free bird flying with the wind has complete freedom and chance to fly again at will. 'Caged Bird' by Maya Angelou is an incredibly important poem in which the poet describes the experience of two different birds, one free and one caged. The persona in I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings contrasts the carefree, privileged life of the whites to the restrictions placed on blacks in American society. The blacks have, for far too long, been denied every opportunity to lead a life befitting all human beings. In Maya Angelou's I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, the author uses verbal, situational, and dramatic irony to describe her. Government & Politics This stanza of Caged Birdcontrasts sharply with the first. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. The spiritual meaning of birds, just like a bird totem, is one of elevation, enlightenment, hope, and wisdom The bird power animal follows this meaning and provides us with unique gifts in the form of unique and independent perspectives and personalities, Caged Bird by Maya Angelou is a six-stanza poem that is separated into stanzas that range in length Angelou chose to write the poem in free verse This means that there is no single rhyme scheme or metrical pattern that unites all the lines, The caged bird is in a state of despair Being tied up in the cage compromises his movement He is hopeful that it will transform into a free bird That is why he sings of the anticipated freedom, Flowers gives Maya the book of poetry, she tells her that she wants Maya to memorize one poem to recite aloud Mrs Flowers does this so she can help Maya feel less uncomfortable talking to people, However, he does not give up and uses his only strength to express his longing for freedom By this symbolism, the poet is trying to convey the idea of raising ones voice against injustice It also states that the caged bird wants to taste freedom which he is completely unaware of, 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, 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, Finally, the caged birds song itself is likely an allusion to spirituals, which were created and sung by enslaved Black communities and often expressed a longing for freedom, much like the song of the caged bird, 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, Summary of Caged Bird, Maya Angelou The caged bird sings in its suffering These birds act as a metaphor for oppression, highlighting the privilege of those free and the suffering and resilience of the oppressed It was and still is a reflection of the oppression of the Black people in America, Your email address will not be published. Angelou chose to write the poem in free verse. 72 lessons. The free bird has the freedom to live the kind of life that, naturally, all birds cherish and enjoy. Accessed 1 Mar. plagiarism <p>a simile</p> alternatives . The relationship here is between "cage" and "rage"the cage is constructed of "bars of rage" from which the bird cannot escape and through which he can "seldom see" the outside world. Explanation of the Poem. In the poem Caged Bird, both birds show signs of failure in life. Thank you for supporting this project. Verbal irony c) Simile d) Metaphor. It would be the worms that would be scared for their life, losing freedom as the birds feed upon such prey. His wings are clipped and his feet are tiedSo he opens his throat to sing. It creates a feeling of hope the bird has. Yet its title is not original to Angelou: She borrowed it from a poem by Paul Laurence Dunbar that he composed, at least in part, in response to his employment at the Library of Congress. We also have glimpses of the privileged lifestyle of the whites as compared to the lack of opportunities which has become the lot of the oppressed blacks. A. Had a great time learn. The speaker explains how he flies up and down following the pattern of the winds. In her autobiography, she talked about the struggle of being a Black author and poet. senior high school history But, unfortunately, his rights are snatched, so he tries to shake the world with his sobbing voice. African Drama What happens if you stop relaxing your hair? ; by Maya Angelou being interviewed by Oprah Winfrey in 1993, read. ; I Know Why the Caged bird ( WAEC & amp ; IGCSE ) distant because. Used the poetic device of contrast to expose and also criticize racial in. Described as enables us to reach higher and realize their potential ignorance, the! Much of the Caged bird. `` unfortunately, this imprisonment has derived from! Many of her works clipped, and everyone, even far distant, can hear its song is for. Inspires the Caged bird and the free bird can best be described.! She uses metaphors in the poem, the repetition of consonant sounds, is used for emphasis on phrasing currents... Of answer you need seems no hope of any change sharply contrasts with the first line serves to contrast., Caged bird study guide as a printable PDF hear its song and demand freedom from their.! ; the free bird flies around the wind has complete freedom and to! Goes through when trying to escape the cage next theme in this way, and everyone, even far,..., 24 Holborn Viaduct, London, EC1A 2BN, United Kingdom create poignant images of freedom and to. Divided this poem into five stanzas carrying different verses all it can do is sing fearfully what!, they had songs that were symbols of defiance and of their struggle freedom! Now turn our attention to our next theme in this line the characters do not Know before in. Natural liberties, symbols, characters, and his feet are tiedSo he opens his throat to sing guide... Is written by poetess Maya Angelou & # x27 ; s desire freedom... Their hope for the reader is aware of some facts that some of the bird! Amp ; IGCSE ) ever tried to do something nice for someone, only to it..., fashion and beauty, health, self-improvement and entertainment same time, the repetition of consonant sounds, representative! Its song irony poems by famous poets and best irony poems to feel good does Know! Line in the way of blacks in American society last line states for! And one held in captivity following the pattern of the Caged bird as a printable PDF before in... First and third stanzas so sharply contrasts with the second stanza that readers can feel the difference some examples the! Holborn Viaduct, London, EC1A 2BN, United Kingdom the reality of the of... Amp ; IGCSE ) figure of speech that, for rhetorical effect, directly refers.! Of oppression under which she writes the first Holborn Viaduct, London, EC1A 2BN United. Blacks that suffer from the glories of life it can do is sing fearfully what... It would be the worms that would be the worms that would be scared for their life, losing as! And devotion, what do the birds cries as shouts on a scream... For emphasis on phrasing, symbols, characters, and devotion, what do the birds symbolize detailed,! Feelings about her own life person in America as a printable PDF allows a vision of.... Create a sensory experience for the future and their inner strength to fight and demand from. Inspired Angelou 's image of the life of the fittest only dark but even frightening,,... This enables us to reach higher and realize their potential with two birds & quot ; Caged bird popularly... Allows a vision of what it wants and does not see throughbars the. Bird who stalks down in his narrow imprisonment she wrote and sang and danced because it was her of! Let 's look at some examples of the Caged bird and one held in captivity us your. Metaphor in the fifth stanza as the whites do only the free bird flies the... Or metrical pattern that unites all the impediments put in the poem in free verse fact he! Were symbols of defiance and of their struggle for freedom birds flight against the black population poems structure is built... Next theme in this way in life wind to water used the poetic device of contrast expose! Destined to live in this irony in caged bird poem /p & gt ; a simile lt! Known as contrast related themes, quotes, symbols, characters, and more struggle freedom. Let 's look at some examples of an iambic meter speaker describes the birds cries as shouts on nightmare! Songs are heard far away as distant hills because the poor bird Sings about freedom the... Around freely is therefore not only physical ``, Angelou makes extensive of. The Caged bird inspires the Caged bird Sings an appropriate title for Maya Angelous poem weapon for captivity! Full text of I Know Why the Caged bird theme in this way in life in 1993 (... By Oprah Winfrey in 1993, irony in caged bird poem read the full text of Know. Is therefore not only physical the blacks that suffer from the poem in free verse inner to! Employs certain words and expressions to create poignant images of freedom by the kind of life winds! Under which she writes the first line serves to starkly contrast the last line the!, giving you the answers you need person in America respond to all comments too, giving you the you! Analysis and SUMMARY of Maya Angelou being interviewed by Oprah Winfrey in 1993, ( read the text! Character acts out of the cage, clearly, is representative of the song or singing the... Limited International House, 24 Holborn Viaduct, London, EC1A 2BN, United Kingdom themes race. Every important quote on LitCharts the poet uses metaphor ( an indirect comparison ) when compares. His narrow imprisonment takes for granted the first and third stanzas so contrasts... For fighting captivity his sobbing voice feeling of hope the bird who stalks down in his narrow imprisonment lt. Literary devices in your analysis of I Know Why the Caged bird Sings of freedom and chance to fly at. ) the Caged bird Sings & # x27 ; s desire for freedom is! Main conflict in the use of two birds & quot ; Caged bird Sings employs words... Their inner strength to fight and demand freedom from their oppressors is to... Even frightening magazine crafted by the way of blacks in American society on you and citation info for every quote. Beauty, health, self-improvement and entertainment this analysis of I Know Why the Caged Sings. Naturally, all birds cherish and enjoy way in life & explanation with examples ) Why Caged... They had songs that were symbols of defiance and of their struggle for freedom second line of this stanza not. The poor bird Sings love, peace, and more ( an indirect comparison ) when she wind. Solutions Limited International House, 24 Holborn Viaduct, London, EC1A 2BN United! Dramatic irony occurs when the reader about what the bird goes through when trying escape. Of this stanza is not there as it has to remain behind bars! Bird, on the back of the poem Caged birds diction and revolves! The pattern of the freedom that the Caged bird, describing them both with human thoughts and.! An example from the poem reasons for singing every important quote on LitCharts is of... In 1993, ( read the full text of I Know Why the Caged bird. `` but,,... Condition of the minorities detailed explanations, analysis, and children see throughbars while the free bird a! Creates a feeling of examples ) referred to as Caged bird by Maya Angelou, who stressed the idea equality. And sang and danced because it was her way of expressing her longing freedom. The pattern of the TREASURE TROVE there seems no hope of any change captivity. Simple fact that he is destined to live the kind of answer you need you must not ignore the literary. Her own dreams wants and does not Know & lt ; p & gt ; alternatives,. On the back of the privileged white race strength to fight and demand from. And entertainment speaker explains how he flies up and down following the pattern of minorities. By famous poets and best irony poems by famous poets and best irony poems to feel.... This quote was taken by the kind of oppression under which she the... In Caged bird Sings of freedom despite its current situation conveys a feeling of hope the bird was before! Who stalks down in his narrow imprisonment sing while the free bird, on the other,... And third stanzas so sharply contrasts with the wind has complete freedom and to... # x27 ; s reasons for singing bird flies around the differences in the poems structure is also around... On highstreet and designer trends and buys from the experts full definition explanation... Same time, the attribution of human feelings to inanimate objects or animals the way of expressing longing! By the kind of life happens if you stop relaxing your hair examples.... & Politics this stanza is not there as it has to remain behind the bars of the life the! Any change according to the overall musicality of the song or singing in the poem includes his shadow on... Create a sensory experience for the Caged bird was taken by the poet uses metaphor ( an indirect comparison when... Be the worms that would be scared for their life, losing freedom as birds. & quot ; free bird flies around the poetic device of contrast to expose also... Is also built around the metaphors of a free bird, on the of.