I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings By Maya Angelou Poem Summary

The free bird is a metaphor for a white american and the caged bird for an african american.

I know why the caged bird sings by maya angelou poem summary. Angelou first describes the joy that a. Due to its profound suffering the caged bird sings both to cope with its circumstances and to express its own longing for freedom. Louis missouri in 1928. The free bird thinks of another breeze.

Caged bird summary in caged bird poet maya angelou uses birds as an extended metaphor to convey the frustration and suffering of those who are oppressed. But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams. In i know why the caged bird sings maya angelou describes her coming of age as a precocious but insecure black girl in the american south during the 1930s and subsequently in california during the 1940s. Caged bird or i know why the caged bird sings as the poem is sometimes referred to by maya angelou is arguably one of the most moving and eye opening poems ever written.

Caged bird was published in maya angelou s 1983 poetry collection shaker why don t you sing. It is a long poem dealing with the inherent need for freedom in human beings. For the caged bird. I know why the caged bird sings.

In 1940 she moved to san francisco with her mother and brother and gradually became associated with a professional theatre. His shadow shouts on a nightmare scream. Poet and novelist maya angelou birth name. All about the poem i know why the caged bird sings.

On the distant hill. Maya s parents divorce when she is only three years old and ship maya and her older brother bailey to live with their paternal grandmother annie henderson in rural stamps arkansas. I know why the caged bird sings poem summary by maya angelou i know why the caged bird sings about the poet. And the fat worms waiting on a dawn bright lawn.

And he names the sky his own. 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. Marguerite ann johnson was born in st. Maya angelou is widely regarded as the black woman s poet laureate her reflections on the society and the times she lived in are vividly expressed in her poetry.

The poem describes the opposing experiences between two birds. It is clear that this title had great significance to angelou as it was the title to her entire life story. It was first published in the collection shaker who don t you sing in 1983. And the trade winds soft through the sighing trees.

Angelou also wrote an autobiography with a similar title i know why the caged bird sings. I know why the caged bird sings. The contrast between the two underlines the plight of the encaged bird and his desire for freedom and equality.