Poem I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings

Background of the PoetName Maya Angelou

Born 4 April 1928St. Louis, Missouri, US

Occupation Poet, civil rights activist, dancer, film producer, television producer, playwright, film director, author, actress, professor

Ethnic African American

Literary Movement

Civil Rights

Notable Works I know why the caged bird sings, On the Pulse of Morning

Poem: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (Stanza 1)

The free bird leapson the back of the windand floats downstreamtill the current endsand dips his wingsin the orange sun raysand dares to claim the sky.

But a bird that stalksdown his narrow cagecan seldom see throughhis bars of ragehis wings are clipped andhis feet are tiedso he opens his throat to sing.

Poem: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (Stanza 2)

The caged bird singswith fearful trillof the things unknownbut longed for stilland his tune is heardon the distant hill for the caged birdsings of freedom

Poem: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (Stanza 3)

The free bird thinks of another breezeand the trade winds soft through the sighing treesand the fat worms waiting on a dawn-bright lawnand he names the sky his own.

Poem: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (Stanza 4)

But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreamshis shadow shouts on a nightmare screamhis wings are clipped and his feet are tiedso he opens his throat to sing

Poem: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (Stanza 5)

The caged bird singswith a fearful trillof things unknownbut longed for stilland his tune is heardon the distant hillfor the caged birdsings of freedom.

Poem: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (Stanza 6)

1. FreedomThe caged bird can be interpreted as the black race being held back from freedom by their skin color. They are the repressed African Americans who are both literally and figuratively caged and unable to spread their wings and meet their full potential. They dream of freedom. The repetition of the word "freedom" is also used to highlight the rights of every American citizen.

Theme

2. Inequality/Racism The oppressing effects of racism and segregation in

America deprives the black community of something America upholds with pride. The blacks were treated as a second class citizens. They are not trapped within a literal cage, but they are trapped in their own skin. Much like their ancestors who crossed the ocean in slave ships, blacks were branded as an inferior race.The inequality has led to frustration and restriction.

Theme

American Slavery

Racism in America

Symbolism

WHITE PEOPLE BLACK PEOPLE

Tutorial – Group Activity

• Pick the most important word/ line/ image/ object in the poem and explain on the choice – support with examples (present as poster)

I WANT FREEDOM!!!

Tutorial – Writing TaskIdentify the elements in the poem and write about the following:1. Speaker/Persona2. Point of View3. Tone/Mood4. Style (rhyme scheme) 5. Language6. Theme7. Poetic devices

a. Alliterationb. Metaphorc. Personificationd. Symbolisme. Repetition

* Which element/device create the greatest effect within the poem?