I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings Summary & Analysis | I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings Poem Explanation
I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings Poem
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.
Introduction
“I know why the caged bird sings” is one of the most acclaimed poetic pieces which is written by prominent African American poet Maya Angelou. It was published in 1969 and after the publication of this book, she was respected as a spokesperson for Black people and women and her works have been considered a defense of Black Culture. In this poem, the poetess describes the experience of two different Birds one free and another caged.
It is the first of seven autobiographical works of the poetess. The poetess talks about Black authors and poets. She always felt that her literary works were not given too much importance because of the color of her skin. Although African-American people were free at that time still there were many restrictions on them in society and many black Americans didn’t feel free at all. Angelou also felt restricted from enjoying the freedom that had been her right as a human being.
About the Poetess
Maya Angela is one of the foremost 20th-century African American writers. She was a writer, poetess, activist, singer-composer, and actor. During her 50 years literary carrier, she published 7 autobiographies 3 books of essays and several books of poetry. She also received dozens of awards for her work.
Angelou is best known for her series of seven autobiographies which focus on her childhood and early adult experience. Among her world-famous works include “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, On the Pulse of Morning, I shall not Be Moved and Shaker Why Don’t You Sing.” I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings tells about her life up to 17. Her works are widely used in schools and Universities worldwide, although her books have been banned from some U.S. libraries.
Major Theme
There are two major themes in the poem. The first major theme is Freedom. It is presented through the image of a free bird. The second theme is Captivity which cripples the birds in the cage. Another important themes are voices against Injustice and Racism.
Structure and Form of this Poem
The poem has 38 lines which are divided into six stanzas. There is no particular form of this poem, it is written in free verse. This means there are no single rhyme schemes for the metrical pattern that Unite all the lines.
Explanation of the Poem
In the first stanza of the poem spectacles a free bird, who is fearlessly souring with the winds through the sky. It is the time of sunset and the orange rays of the sun colour the sky in a beautiful shade. The stanza unfolds a bird flying carefree along the wind in the sky, enjoying nature’s beauty and claiming the sky to be her possession. The poet has alluded to the aura of Freedom as a delightful experience.
The second and third stanza shows a caged bird whose wings are clipped and whose feet are tied preventing him from flying away. The bird can seldom see from the bars of rage and he can hardly get a glimpse of the sky which makes him angry. He longs to be freed from his sorrowful life in the cage. He is helpless so only opens his mouth to sing the song of freedom. The bird is shown to be afraid but still, that fear doesn’t affect his singing and he continues to sing with a thrill. His cry for freedom to be free from the clutches of the cage is heard far and wide.
The fourth standard again takes us to the life of a free bird where he makes a flight with the breeze and fearlessly claims the entire sky to be his own. He can freely find his food in the garden. On the contrary, the fifth stanza depicts the sorrowful caged bird with his dead or suppress dreams. Being in utter restriction he cries out like someone who has had a Nightmare. Under the helplessness in the captivity of the cage, the bird only opens his throat to sing.
The final stanza is a repetition of the third stanza that again emphasizes the captive bird. His longing for freedom is so intense that is the reason his cries and heard far and wide. In other words, the poet seeks to draw the attention of the readers toward the downtrodden African-Americans and their experiences. The free bird stands as a metaphor for the white people and the caged bird stands for black Americans, who would continue to fight against discrimination and struggle for freedom which is their birthright.
Conclusion
Thus after reading and analyzing this poem we can say that ‘I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings‘ by Maya Angelou has described the comparison of the life of a free bird (white American people) and a caged bird (black American people). Angelou wrote this poem about the contacts of struggle of African Americans at the time when they were forced into slavery. But at the end of this poem, the poetess has hope that this situation will change someday.
