Maya Angelou - I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
Published: 1969, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
Themes:
"Strong themes are present throughout "Caged Bird." Racist oppression, freedom against captivity, and joy versus grief are examples of themes. Through the picture of the two birds, one free and one imprisoned, Angelou weaves together all of these concepts in "Caged Bird."
The caged bird is an extended metaphor for the Black community in America and across the world. Angelou references the oppressive practices used by individuals in positions of authority, including physical, mental, and economic violence, that have affected millions of men, women, and children since the dawn of time.
Black men, women, and children see “through…bars” while the free bird sores in the sky. The bird sings from a place of sadness rather than joy to convey a broader history of sorrow." (source: poemanalysis.com, 2022)
Poem:
A free bird leapson the back of the wind and floats downstream till the current endsand dips his wingin the orange sun raysand dares to claim the sky.
But a bird that stalksdown his narrow cagecan seldom see throughhis bars of ragehis wings are clipped and his feet are tiedso he opens his throat to sing.
The caged bird sings with a fearful trill of things unknown but longed for still and his tune is heard on the distant hill for the caged bird sings of freedom.
The free bird thinks of another breezeand the trade winds soft through the sighing treesand the fat worms waiting on a dawn bright lawnand he names the sky his own.
But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream his wings are clipped and his feet are tied so he opens his throat to sing.
The caged bird sings with a fearful trill of things unknown but longed for still and his tune is heard on the distant hill for the caged bird sings of freedom.
Credits: Angelou, Maya (1969). I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. New York: Random House
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