In this poem maya angelou is saying that no matter what people do or say you should always have an positive attitude. The poet reflects the miserable plight of those who are denied freedom and equality. Buy a cheap copy of i know why the caged bird sings book by maya angelou. In the last stanza of the maya angelous poem i know why the caged bird sings, we see how the dream of freedom is just but dead, the caged bird stands on the grave of dreams. Caged bird by maya angelou by sophie cramsey on prezi. I know why the caged bird sings is maya angelous heartwrenching poem that reflects on the mindless oppression that the blacks were subjected back in the olden days. Before something that has to do with birds animals cruelty you are trapped this might be a metaphor for someone. A bird that walks around in a cage cannot see through the bars. I know why the caged bird sings, the first of seven autobiographical works by maya angelou, published in 1969. Poem analysis for my senior final in creative writing, by diana hernandez.
The poem caged bird by maya angelou tells the story of two birds. Poetry analysis of maya angelous caged bird caged bird is a poem. Her portrayal of the injustice using a free bird and a caged bird leaves us with a bitter taste that reminds us of the long abolished slavery. Which caused them to become immovable, in the physical. This video was thrown together for a class several years ago and somehow i guess i just wasnt a good enough student to double check the title of the poem before reading it. Angelou had a broad career as a singer, dancer, actress, composer, and hollywoods first female black director, but became most famous as a writer, editor, essayist, playwright. I know why the caged bird sings themes course hero. Caged bird by maya angelou a caged bird is a beautifully written poem that uses figurative language to describe the struggles african americans faced. Maya angelou creates a theme of displacement in her novel i know why the caged bird sings. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of select poems by maya angelou. The first stanza shows how the white race, being compared to a free bird, is so unbothered. Actually this contrast between the birds enables her to express her own emotions about freedom and isolation.
Poetry analysis of maya angelous caged bird caged bird is a poem written by maya angelou which considers the conditions of the free bird and the caged bird. Analysis of the poem caged bird by maya angelou bartleby. Maya angelou wrote this poem during the civil rights era, the period when black activists in the 1950s and 1960. The critics note the importance of the setting to show universal displacement and the use of characterization to display the influences in angelous life. I know why the caged bird sings by maya angelou poem analysis. The linebyline analysis shows that metaphor, alliteration and imagery are the main literary devices used by the author to raise strong emotions in the readers. Maya angelou was a civil rights activist, poet and awardwinning author known for her acclaimed 1969 memoir, i know why the caged bird sings, and her numerous poetry and essay collections. Also, how the white race is in control and there is prejudice towards the black race, which is shown in the last line. I know why the caged bird sings analysis literary devices and. The theme of racism in maya angelou s novel, i know why the caged bird sings 842 words 3 pages. Maya angelous i know why the caged bird sings is a memoir about race, identity, sexuality, and love. Maya is moved around to seven different homes between the ages of three and sixteen. Discussion of themes and motifs in maya angelous caged bird.
Maya confronts the insidious effects of racism and segregation in america at a very young age. In this first of five volumes of autobiography, poet maya angelou recounts a youth filled with disappointment, frustration, tragedy, and finally hardwon. Quite naturally, the content of the poem speaks to the theme of persistent and prevalent racism in american society since the inspiration for angelous verse was. Themes are the fundamental and often universal ideas explored in a literary work. Analysis of caged bird a poem written by maya angelou. Maya also had other 5 autobiographies that recalled her early childhood and early adult experiences. I know why the caged bird sings by maya angelou 1541.
Poetic devices used in the poem caged bird by maya angelou. Facing racism, molestation, and teenage pregnancy, maya learns to love herself and find her place in the world. That is why this poem is seen as an autobiographical. Maya angelou marguerite annie johnson caged bird lyrics. Paul laurence dunbar uses the symbol of a bird that still sings even though it is caged to depict the oppression of black people in a racist america. Album songs in a minor 10th anniversary edition collectors edition. Racism is the cage around the caged bird, and it means not getting jobs, not getting medical treatment, and even the risk of lynching. Much like paul dunbars poem, sympathy, in which he writes, i know why the caged bird sings, maya angelou continues this motif of the caged bird. I know why the caged bird sings summary in english by maya. Her reflections on the society and the times she lived in are. The caged bird is used as a metaphor for the black american or for the oppressed person. I know why the caged bird sings book by maya angelou.
Here is a book as joyous and painful, as mysterious and memorable, as childhood itself. The title of the poem i know why the caged bird sings is apt as it deals with the theme of the poem. They are distinct in style and narration, but unified in their themes and stretch from arkansas to. I know why the caged bird sings also known as caged bird was written in 1969 about angelous struggle as a young girl. I know why the caged bird sings a research guide for. Maya angelou was an iconic african american poet of the 20th century, whose verses often became part of popular culture. They were hoping praying and desiring to sing a beautiful song but only had a bitter one. A feminist study of maya angelous poem, men maya angelou and the poetry of uplift in still i rise. Angelou feeds off the power of the poetic attack against racism in sympathy to expand and explore its themes from her own perspective as a postcivil rights movement writer. This memoir is also an account of how sex and gender influence experience and identity. Maya angelou was an active participant in the african american freedom movement. Maya, the younger version of angelou and the books central character, has been called a. Maya angelou s i know why the caged bird sings essay. An acclaimed american poet, storyteller, activist, and autobiographer, maya angelou was born marguerite johnson in st.
Dunbars poem transforms the caged bird into a metaphor for slavery, bondage, the lack of freedom and the neverending urgent dream of attaining it. However, the facts of maya angelous life as an african american growing up in a particular time and place require the addition of the overarching theme of racism. The incidents of racism in i know why the caged bird sings are illogical and seem at first like insurmountable obstacles. The theme of selfawareness is shown in the poem caged bird by maya angelou in that the poet highlights how this bird has a rage within itself. The caged bird sings is representing the depressed mental and emotional state of the characters. Poetry analysis of maya angelous caged bird essay bartleby. As a comingofage story, i know why the caged bird sings revolves around the universal quests of young people to define themselves, to relate to a community of people, and to find unique identities in order to move into adulthood. More about this poem caged bird by maya angelou about this poet an acclaimed american poet, storyteller, activist, and autobiographer, maya angelou was born marguerite johnson in st. Poetry is meaningful, though confusing at some times, and has been popular for ages. Analysis of the poem caged bird by maya angelou 123. Angelou also wrote an autobiography with this same title, i know why the caged bird sings. This poem inspired the title of maya angelous memoir, i know why the caged bird sings. I know why the caged bird sings is a 1969 autobiography describing the early years of american writer and poet maya angelou.
The title of the book is i know why the caged bird sings. What is the deeper meaning behind the poem caged bird by. I know why the caged bird sings by maya angelou is arguably one of the most moving and eye opening poems ever written. Maya angelou s debut memoir is a modern american classic beloved worldwide. Again, she uses metaphors in the use of two birds free bird and caged bird. Caged bird by maya angelou was first published in her book, shaker, why dont you sing. Every book on your english syllabus summed up in a quote from the office.
It is clear that this title had great significance to angelou, as it was the title to her entire life story. She is probably most famous for writing the book i. Annotations of the language features present in the poem caged bird by maya angelou. What are examples of imagery in the poem caged bird by. In this essay i will be talking about how the theme of racism is developed throughout maya angelou s i know why the caged bird sings novel. She internalizes the idea that blond hair is beautiful and that she is a fat black girl trapped in a nightmare. A free bird leaps on the backof the wind and floats downstream till the current ends and dips his wing. In her book, i know why the caged bird sings, angelou reflects on the. Pdf maya angelou s i know why the caged bird sings.
The image of the free bird living a life of unparallel joy and liberty stands for freedom while enslavement, in the poem i know why the caged bird, is symbolized by the restricted life of the caged bird whose wings are clipped and feet are. Angelous novel has been critiqued by many notable scholars for being a classic autobiography. The caged bird is a symbol for maya herself who had to face a lot of discrimination, harassment, and assault since a very early age. Analysis of i know why the caged bird sings by maya angelou. Angelous use of setting shows how she was personally affected by displacement. About the poem i know why the caged bird sings is a free verse written by the american poet and civil rights activist maya angelou. Maya angelous autobiography i know why the caged bird sings is critiqued to have a theme of displacement based on the setting, characterization, and tone.
She also uses characterization and tone to personalize her childhood experiences. The free bird represents the privileged section of the society whereas the caged one signifies the underprivileged. The author, a black woman who grew up in the south during this era, is expressing her feelings at the discrimination she faced during her life. Maya angelou is widely regarded as the black womans poet laureate. The free bird leaps on the back of the wind and floats downstream t. This poem was written by maya angelou 19282014, an african american memoirist and poet, who is best known for her autobiographic novel i. Get an answer for what are examples of imagery in the poem caged bird by maya angelou. Litcharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in i know why the caged bird sings, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work. Caged bird by maya angelou, famous inspirational poem. A summary of themes in maya angelous i know why the caged bird sings. Maya angelous poem,i know why the caged bird sings, is filled with many.
The themes of the caged bird by maya angelou 1651 words. Maya angelou s still i rise is a powerful poem that draws on a range of influences, including her personal background and the african american experience in. The poem i know why the caged bird sings by maya angelou is arguably one of the most moving and eye opening poems ever written. As expressed in the poem she tries to recite on easter, the statement i didnt come. I know why the caged bird sings poem by maya angelou. The book chronicles her life from age 3 through age 16, recounting a traumatic childhood that included rape and racism. Freedom and confinement the theme of freedom and confinement is the most predominant theme in the poem. Caged bird was published in maya angelous 1983 poetry collection. I know why the caged bird sings is an autobiographical story of maya angelous life. The poem is a metaphor illustrating the differences between africanamericans and whites during the civil rights era. I know why the caged bird sings captures the longing of lonely children, the brute insult of bigotry, and the wonder of words that can make the world right. The poem describes the opposing experiences between two birds. Caged bird was published in maya angelous 1983 poetry collection shaker, why dont you sing. Angelou had a broad career as a singer, dancer, actress, composer, and hollywoods first female black director, but became most famous as a.
40 455 1073 1265 1358 1520 721 230 1524 534 991 1033 505 39 240 199 1409 1290 561 1193 459 696 234 530 1530 114 910 1208 372 1159 239 794 99 573 303 597 651 285 1072 141 1221 302 931 1056 71 608 744 113 684 358 747