I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings Poem Meaning

Maya angelou s poem caged bird is a poem that represents many ideas themes and thoughts.

I know why the caged bird sings poem meaning. 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. I know why the caged bird sings the context of dunbar s poem concerns a caged bird that continually throws itself up against the bars of its cage in search of its freedom all the while singing. This poem states that there are two birds one trapped in a cage and the other in free and flying in the sky. The poem describes the opposing experiences between two birds.

Angelou also wrote an autobiography with a similar title i know why the caged bird sings. It portrays the ugly effects of racism and gives hopes to the black race that has suffered a lot because of the issue. The caged bird can be interpreted as the black race being held back from freedom by their skin color. The fat worms and breeze in the poem symbolize hope and opportunity.

I know why the caged bird sings the first of seven autobiographical works by maya angelou published in 1969. Maya angelou wrote an autobiographical book entitled 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. In the poem it is.

It is one of the most widely read and taught books by an african american woman. The first in a seven volume series it is a coming of age story that illustrates how strength of character and a love of literature can help overcome racism and trauma. Indeed cage bird as a poem depicts the actual racial discrimination that existed between the white and black races in the us south africa and elsewhere. It is clear that this title had great significance to angelou as it was the title to her entire life story.

The book chronicles her life from age 3 through age 16 recounting a traumatic childhood that included rape and racism. The trapped bird is an african american man or woman while the free bird is a white man or woman. 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.

Due to its profound suffering the caged bird sings both to cope with its circumstances and to express its own longing for freedom.