“I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” explication The poem “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” tells us of a caged bird and how it longs for freedom. A bird in a cage can only do so much. He wants to explore and be like the free bird. So, the bird sings of a day when he is free. The author displays the difference between life and dreams. Angelou does this by going back and forth between the caged bird’s dreams and the harsh reality. The theme of this poem is how racism affects people, and the insecurities that follow. Stanza one has a positive connotation. It gives a more peaceful vibe. The peacefulness and tranquillity make the readers feel as they were in a dreamlike state. The author uses this connotation to show
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The poem is also a blank verse. The tone of the poem is very emotional, and dramatic. The author uses phrases such as “his bars of rage, ”fearful trill,” and “grave of dreams,” to emphasize the loneliness of the caged bird. The author also uses imagery. In stanza one, lines three, four, and five the author states, “of the wind and floats downstream Till the current ends and dips his wing In the orange sun’s rays.” This example of imagery shows the readers exactly what the caged bird is longing to do. Personification is used throughout the poem, in stanza three the author states, “the sighing trees.” Personification displays the peacefulness of the bird’s dream. The poem compares two types of birds; free and caged. These birds are metaphors. The caged bird represents the African-American population, and Angelou herself. The cage is also a metaphor. The cage is a metaphor for racism, and all the tragic things that happened to Angelou during this time. The racism at this time, feels as if one were a tied up bird in a cage. The free bird represents Angelou’s dream. The dream is to one day be “free” from the racism, sexism, and abuse. The theme of this poem is that racism negatively affects people. The caged bird in this poem represent the victims of racism, sexism and abuse. Angelou shows us through the “caged bird’s” actions that racism, sexism, and abuse
The poem is also a blank verse. The tone of the poem is very emotional, and dramatic. The author uses phrases such as “his bars of rage, ”fearful trill,” and “grave of dreams,” to emphasize the loneliness of the caged bird. The author also uses imagery. In stanza one, lines three, four, and five the author states, “of the wind and floats downstream Till the current ends and dips his wing In the orange sun’s rays.” This example of imagery shows the readers exactly what the caged bird is longing to do. Personification is used throughout the poem, in stanza three the author states, “the sighing trees.” Personification displays the peacefulness of the bird’s dream. The poem compares two types of birds; free and caged. These birds are metaphors. The caged bird represents the African-American population, and Angelou herself. The cage is also a metaphor. The cage is a metaphor for racism, and all the tragic things that happened to Angelou during this time. The racism at this time, feels as if one were a tied up bird in a cage. The free bird represents Angelou’s dream. The dream is to one day be “free” from the racism, sexism, and abuse. The theme of this poem is that racism negatively affects people. The caged bird in this poem represent the victims of racism, sexism and abuse. Angelou shows us through the “caged bird’s” actions that racism, sexism, and abuse