Knowing Why a Caged Bird Sings

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particular quote, not mention the poor creature’s struggle. In the case of figurative speech, nearly the entire poem (though emotionally evocative and beautifully rife with imagery) is the use of figurative speech that not only illustrates the bird’s own situation, (which can be summed up in the lines: “When he beats his bars and would be free; It is not a carol of joy or glee, but a prayer that he sends up from his heart’s deep core, but a plea, that upward to Heaven he flings—I know why the caged bird sings.”) (Wagner 12) But both the poet’s own feelings and situation, as well as the reader’s interpretation thereof. What is meant by this is that the reader, through the imagery and figurative speech of the poet’ words, is granted a look into the poet’s own emotion and what may have been a similar situation he felt he was in at that time. This is what makes it an excellent poem--Dunbar’s ability to convey his own feelings through the words, imagery, and story of a caged bird.

In conclusion, it becomes obvious to the reader that this poem is a gorgeously conveyed message of the poet’s, as well as nearly everyone’s, desire to be free rather than caged in a prison of bars, thoughts or simple circumstance. Though Dunbar uses a bird to illustrate this point, it is evident that the poem has, as has been the case with several other circumstance throughout it, a dual meaning. That of the bird’s longing and desire for freedom, literally, as well as the poet’s and reader’s longing for freedom figuratively. It is apparent why, when having read “Sympathy,” Maya Angelou was so very inspired. I was as well, and the ability to inspire is what makes both an epic poem and a great poet.

Works cited

Wagner, Jean. Black Poets of the United States: From Paul Laurence Dunbar to Langston Hughes. Chicago: University of Illinois Press, 1973. Print.

Angelou, Maya. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. New York: Random House, 1969. Print.