Caged Bird Complete Lecture

Caged Bird
MAYA ANGELOU
A free bird leaps
on the back of the wind
and floats downstream
till the current ends
and dips his wing
in the orange sun rays
and dares to claim the sky.
But a bird that stalks

down his narrow cage
can seldom see through
his bars of rage
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.
The free bird thinks of another breeze
and the trade winds soft through the sighing trees
and the fat worms waiting on a dawn bright lawn
and 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.
Maya Angelou’s poem entitled "Caged Bird" was inspired by Paul Dunbar’s
poem “Sympathy.” The major theme of both poems is freedom. Angelou's
autobiography I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings exemplifies the meaning
of this poem
The free bird can fly, walk, and see the outside world. The caged bird can't
do all these. He can only sing.
The free bird seems too busy to sing, as he has more pleasures to enjoy.
He takes his freedom for granted. He doesn’t know what being caged
means. Yet, his ignorance of oppression and slavery is his strength.
Perhaps, through the song of freedom, the person who caged the bird will
tire of his constant songs and set him free. Thus, his voice is his weapon.
Unlike the free bird who “leaps on the back of the wind,” “floats” and “dips”
and “claims the sky,” the cage restricts the abilities of the caged bird.
Nonetheless, he keeps his freedom of expression and uses it. The bird
expresses himself through singing. He is still alive and despite being a
prisoner, he can still use his voice. His throat is free. He sings so loudly
that his voice reaches the "distant hill."
Even though he is in a cage, there’s no lock or cage that can restrict his
voice and freedom of mind.
The poet expresses human life through meaningful word choices that elicit
different emotions and tones. For instance: freedom, dawn, sings, wind,
leaps and free bird depict happiness and enthusiasm.
On the other hand, the words: caged bird, trill, grave, shadow, and rage
imply sadness and powerlessness.
Metaphor
The hidden message in the poem is that it is not about a bird, but a person.
The title is a metaphor. Also, the line "the caged bird sings" is a metaphor.
It suggests more than what the meaning of the words first glances. There is
a deeper meaning to the poem. This poem is not about birds, but mankind.
The dreams of the caged bird represent the dreams of the slave. The bird
sings of “things unknown/ but longed for still.”
Things unknown to the caged bird are enjoyed by the free bird. Free people
seem to have everything and live life to the fullest.
The action of the caged bird to choose to sing is also a metaphor. Music is
often beautiful and enjoyable. But his state of being caged is despicable.
However, when he sings of freedom perhaps someone will hear his voice
and open the cage.
Imagery
The speaker creates vivid imagery through descriptive words and phrases.
Imagery enhances the theme and tone of the poem.
The speaker sees the physical appearance of the caged bird. It is locked in
a cage and cannot fly because his "wings are clipped and his feet are tied."
So, it stalks around. It shows the lack of freedom of the bird.
Then, the imagery of the free bird that leaps and floats develops the theme
of freedom and a joyful tone.
The persona describes the surroundings and the actions of the birds:
“Orange sun rays,” "fat worms," "dips his wing," "opens his throat."
These descriptions give the reader an image of the natural beauty and the
actions of the birds in the setting.
Personification (or Anthropomorphism)
Trees are given human qualities when the poet describes them as “the
sighing trees.”
Another instance of personification is “on the back of the wind.” The wind
doesn't have a back. Humans usually carry their children on their backs.
This metaphor shows how the free bird is confident and feels secure in his
freedom.
Symbolism
This poem uses symbolism by including various objects or characters that

have a meaning. symbolism strengthens the imagery.
The appearance of the caged bird is a symbol of captivity. The free bird is a
symbol of freedom.
The objects in the poem also have their own meanings. They include the
sky, sun rays, wind, wings, narrow cage, bars, throat, hill, and many more.
You can group these symbols into the theme they represent .
8. Alliteration
Repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of sentences occurs

several times:
But a bird that stalks (line 8)
can seldom see through (line 10)
Themes
 Freedom and Slavery
The predominant theme of the poem is freedom. The first line depicts this
by introducing "the free bird." And the opposite theme is "slavery." A caged
bird in captivity "sings of freedom." The caged bird was created for freedom
as a free bird.
Nonetheless, it is in an unnatural situation, trapped in a cage. Not only is it

trapped, but its body has been mutilated as well.
 Despair and Hope
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. Freedom seems out of

reach, and his "tune is heard" in the distant hill. This tells us that the bird is
hopeful one day he will fly over to the distant hill just like his voice.
 Fear and Courage
While the free bird finds it easy to fly and enjoy his freedom by claiming the
sky, the caged bird lives in fear.
However, he is courageous enough to keep singing and use the power of

his throat to fight for his freedom.
 Adversity and Good Fortune
Sometimes it takes hardship to find out your abilities and strengths, like the
caged bird. Sometimes you enjoy the good fortune of using all your
abilities, like the free bird.
The caged bird uses his voice to the fullest to help him through hard time,
but the free bird has time to enjoy himself with his free body. This can also
explain the theme of power and powerlessness.
Atmosphere
The word choice and imagery in the poem develop the mood and tone of
the poem. The prevalent image is that of the caged bird versus a free bird.
They are in different settings, have different behaviors, and appearances.
Consequently, the words used to describe these birds set different moods
as follows:
Mood
The stanzas describing the free bird have a joyful and peaceful mood. But
the caged bird brings out a melancholic and somber mood, although it's
also hopeful through the song. Also, the poet describes the caged bird's
anger, “can seldom see through his bars of rage”
Tone
The tone is set by the observer who knows why "the caged bird sings." It's
contemplative but also switches from a negative to positive tone when
describing the different birds.

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Caged Bird

But a bird that stalks

The caged bird sings

But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams

The caged bird sings

Personification (or Anthropomorphism)

This poem uses symbolism by including various objects or characters that

Repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of sentences occurs

But a bird that stalks (line 8)

can seldom see through (line 10)

 Freedom and Slavery

Nonetheless, it is in an unnatural situation, trapped in a cage. Not only is it

The caged bird is in a state of despair. Being tied up in the cage

That is why he sings of the anticipated freedom. Freedom seems out of

 Fear and Courage

However, he is courageous enough to keep singing and use the power of

 Adversity and Good Fortune

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