Until the Civil Rights Act was passed in 1968, African-Americans had underwent immense tribulation for hundreds of years. Since the 17th century, they were forced into oppression, slavery, and segregation. Many African-Americans were not given fundamental rights in having liberty in the United States, let alone other nations. Although the Civil Rights Act was passed, this was not considered as the solution to racial discrimination. In fact, discrimination against African-Americans has sustained to this day. Nonetheless, this is discussed in both Paul Laurence Dunbar’s “Sympathy” and Maya Angelou's "Caged Bird". Through their poems, both poets deliberate on their troubled experiences by metaphorically describing a bird who is confined in its
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Prejudice is society's way of standardizing minorities to fit into the majority or favourable group. In this case, White-Americans are considered the majority and are conformed by African-Americans by law, because of racial standards. This has led to slavery, segregation, and rules of law that have been made to place African-Americans below White-Americans. Angelou describes the idea of prejudice in comparing the caged bird with the free bird. "The free bird thinks of another breeze", while the "caged bird stands on [a] grave of dreams". The speaker expresses how the free bird is living at ease and enjoying its freedom. On the other hand, there is the caged bird, who seems to be living in a nightmare. The poet relates to the bird, as the colour of her skin is thought to be limiting her from living her dream life. Moreover, Dunbar exudes his thoughts through a similar metaphor. Instead of comparing the caged bird to a free bird, the poet illustrates the contradiction between the caged bird and its surroundings, using imagery. As "the sun is bright on the upland slopes [and] the wind stirs soft through the springing grass", the poet paints an image, symbolizing freedom and a sense of luxury. Yet, the bird is still confined in its cage and cannot leave. Not only does this contradiction explain the demonstrated judgement against African-Americans, but their struggle in facing freedom at a close, but figuratively far distance. In terms of prejudice, both poets understand what the caged bird is going through and can identify themselves as him, suffering in the pain that was considered destined from
Prejudice is society's way of standardizing minorities to fit into the majority or favourable group. In this case, White-Americans are considered the majority and are conformed by African-Americans by law, because of racial standards. This has led to slavery, segregation, and rules of law that have been made to place African-Americans below White-Americans. Angelou describes the idea of prejudice in comparing the caged bird with the free bird. "The free bird thinks of another breeze", while the "caged bird stands on [a] grave of dreams". The speaker expresses how the free bird is living at ease and enjoying its freedom. On the other hand, there is the caged bird, who seems to be living in a nightmare. The poet relates to the bird, as the colour of her skin is thought to be limiting her from living her dream life. Moreover, Dunbar exudes his thoughts through a similar metaphor. Instead of comparing the caged bird to a free bird, the poet illustrates the contradiction between the caged bird and its surroundings, using imagery. As "the sun is bright on the upland slopes [and] the wind stirs soft through the springing grass", the poet paints an image, symbolizing freedom and a sense of luxury. Yet, the bird is still confined in its cage and cannot leave. Not only does this contradiction explain the demonstrated judgement against African-Americans, but their struggle in facing freedom at a close, but figuratively far distance. In terms of prejudice, both poets understand what the caged bird is going through and can identify themselves as him, suffering in the pain that was considered destined from