Books similar to i know why the caged bird sings, by maya. Although slavery had been long abolished, angelou saw its effects on society and the african american people. Caged bird by maya angelou, famous inspirational poem. This poem states that there are two birds, one trapped in a cage, and the other in free and flying in the sky. I know why the caged bird sings poem analysis 1162 words. The poem describes the opposing experiences between. In her book, i know why the caged bird sings, angelou reflects on the. 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 poem i know why the caged bird sings is an intensely personal and political poem which advocates the cause of the afroamerican community through the metaphor of a caged bird. The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 246 pages and is available in mass market paperback format. The book i know why the caged bird sings by maya angelou is a autobiography of the early 17 years of maya angelous life. The trapped bird is an african american man or woman, while the free bird is a white man or woman.
The book begins when threeyearold maya and her older brother are sent to stamps, arkansas, to live. Analysis of i know why the caged bird sings by maya angelou. Angelou often shared stories about her unusual, intense, and poignant childhood, and her friends and associates encouraged her to write an autobiography. A caged bird is unable to enjoy the freedom of other birds due to its cage, clipped wings, and tied feet. The connotations of the title can drastically alter the perspective of the novel and. Analysis of still i rise by maya angelou poem analysis. They ape herwhich involves doing a degrading kind of monkey dance. I know why the caged bird sings also known as caged bird was written in 1969 about angelous struggle as a young girl. The free bird thinks of another breeze and the trade winds soft through the sighing trees and the fat worms waiting on a dawnbright lawn and he names the sky his own. Apart from the reference to the wretched situation of the africanamericans in general, this poem can be seen as an autobiography of maya angelou herself.
This poem was written by maya angelou 19282014, an african american memoirist and poet, who is best known for her autobiographic novel i know why the caged bird sings. In the poem, angelou employs these poetic devices to. The title of the poem itself is a bold statement and an assertion of ones identity. Caged bird by maya angelou a caged bird is a beautifully written poem that uses figurative language to describe the struggles african americans faced. I know why the caged bird sings by maya angelou a research. Angelous book conveys the difficulties associated with the mixture of racial and gender discrimination endured by a southern black girl. The author, a black woman who grew up in the south during this era, is expressing her feelings at the discrimination she faced during her life. Africanamericans during angelous time were restricted. Pdf i know why the caged bird sings book by maya angelou. Poem analysis for my senior final in creative writing, by diana hernandez. Maya angelou came up with this poem titled caged bird in 1969.
The poem describes the opposing experiences between two birds. Free download or read online i know why the caged bird sings pdf epub book. The poem caged bird by maya angelou tells the story of two birds. Maya angelou was a singer and a dancer in her own way. Caged bird by maya angelou was first published in her book, shaker, why dont you sing.
I know why the caged bird sings by maya angelou famous. 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. This poem is her declaration that she, for one, would not allow the hatefulness of society to determine her own success. I lived much of my childhood within an hours drive of stamps so i found that detail very interesting. Results page 2 i know why the caged bird sings essay cram. I know why the caged bird sings was actually the title of her first autobiography. We get the feeling that they have badabsent parents because, um, who puts toddlers on. In 1969, angelou published i know why the caged bird sings, the first in a series of autobiographical works. The poem i know why the caged bird sings by maya angelou can also be used in the context of the struggles of the african american at the time when they were forced into slavery angelou. Facing racism, molestation, and teenage pregnancy, maya learns to love herself and find her place in the world. Poetry, although written by the same person, has the ability to represent the didactic purpose completely different to that anticipated by the composer. The book is mostly set in the tiny town of stamps, arkansas. The background the africanamerican author and poet.
It has been analyzed using the tpcastt method, which encompasses analysis of the title, a complete paraphrase of the poem, a thorough analysis of all literary and poetic devices in the poem, an examination of the attitude or tone of the poem, searching for important turning points in the poem, and coming to. Analysis the caged bird was composed by angelou as she reflected upon her early life. It is in the literature discipline and for quite some time has been used for studying. Poetry analysis of maya angelous caged bird essay bartleby. I know why the caged bird sings poem analysis english. Poetry is meaningful, though confusing at some times, and has been popular for ages. The first in a sevenvolume series, it is a comingofage story that illustrates how strength of character and a love of literature can help overcome racism and trauma. The poem, however, ends on a positive note affirming that no matter what the caged bird shall continue to sing for freedom and hope for a better tomorrow. One of the girls does a handstand in her dress, and her skirts come up and expose her nakedness to momma. Maya angelou is widely regarded as the black womans poet laureate.
Throughout the poem, the stanzas alternate between the life of a free bird and a caged bird to give us a poignant understanding of life without. Repetition is associated with the poem both within its structural composition and from without. The poem is a metaphor illustrating the differences between africanamericans and whites during the civil rights era. The first edition of the novel was published in 1969, and was written by maya angelou. Need help with chapter 1 in maya angelous i know why the caged bird sings. Analysis of maya angelous caged bird macs easy lessons. The poem is divided into of six stanzas out of which the sixth stanza is the. Caged bird by maya angelou 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. I know why the caged bird sings analysis by maya angelou.
The main characters of this non fiction, classics story are marguerite johnson maya, bailey. They call her annie, which makes marguerite furious. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of i know why the caged bird sings. Maya angelou was a civil rights activist, poet and awardwinning author known for her acclaimed 1969 memoir, i know why the caged bird sings, and her numerous poetry.
I know why the caged bird sings analysis literary devices and. She describes the bird s flight against the orange sky. Check out our revolutionary sidebyside summary and analysis. Maya angelous poem, caged bird is a poem that represents many ideas, themes, and thoughts. It is clear that this title had great significance to angelou, as it was the title to her entire life story.
The poem caged bird, has been authored by the famous and talented poet maya angelou. I know why the caged bird sings is an autobiography written by maya angelou. Analysis of the poem caged bird by maya angelou 123. Before something that has to do with birds animals cruelty you are trapped this might be a metaphor for someone. I know why the caged bird sings by maya angelou poem analysis. For starters, caged bird is riff on the same basic conceptual idea as paul laurence dunbars 1899 poem, sympathy. Analysis of caged bird, a poem by maya angelou essay oven. This poem melodically explains her perspective upon her life. Angelou had a broad career as a singer, dancer, actress, composer, and hollywoods first female black director, but became most famous as a. The book keeps a keen eye on the effects of gender as well as raceit means something. I know why the caged bird sings by maya angelou 1541.
They were working in the whites plantations where they used to sing their traditional tribal songs. She describes about her hard life caged growing up as a black girl from the south. Analysis of the poem caged bird by maya angelou bartleby. Actually, the title of the poem is also part of an autobiography written by the maya in the same year.
Books similar to i know why the caged bird sings, by maya angelou i know why the caged bird sings, by maya angelou. 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. This is a completed analysis of maya angelous poem i know why the caged bird sings. T he caged bird sings of freedom, writes maya angelou in. Maya angelou starts the novel about her life in the age of three with her fouryearold brother bailey. When looked at literary, the poem describes the differences that are conspicuous between a bird that flies freely and that which is caged restricted to a specific area. Maya angelou, born in 1928, lived through some of the worst oppression and inequality for african american people. The poem i know why the caged bird sings by maya angelou is arguably one of the most moving and eye opening poems ever written. 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. I know why the caged bird sings literature essays are academic essays for citation.
I know why the caged bird sings is an autobiographical story of maya angelous life. From new york times bestselling author rachel held evans comes a book that is both a heartfelt ode to the past and hopeful gaze into the future of what it means to be a part of the church. I know why the caged bird sings analysis first stanza. Article about the wellknown historybased poem i know why the caged bird sings by maya angelou including its analysis. The name of the game in analyzing maya angelous poem caged bird is repetition. With this early line from maya angelous i know why the caged bird sings, we get a glimpse into what the author has waiting for us in the rest of her book. In caged bird, poet maya angelou uses birds as an extended metaphor to convey the frustration and suffering of those who are oppressed. Maya and her family encounter many different social issues for being an african american family living in the small town of stamps, arkansas. When the story opens, marguerite maya johnson and her brother, bailey johnson jr. Maya angelou wrote this poem during the civil rights era, the period when black activists in the 1950s and 1960s fought for desegregation of african americans. I know why the caged bird sings a research guide for. I know why the caged bird sings is coming from a heart and soul of someone who had to witness the unnecessary, harsh, and brutal insults that no ordinary human being can bear. Maya angelou writes the story of a human who was pushed to her limits by the ugliness of this world and while being in a saddest cage, sang the happiest song.
The title of this poem uses the traditional image of a bird but here it is caged. I know why the caged bird sings by maya angelou is arguably one of the most moving and eye opening poems ever written. Caged bird refers to her autobiography through metaphors. Poetry analysis of maya angelous caged bird caged bird is a poem. They are turned over the care of their paternal grandmother in stamps. More about this poem caged bird by maya angelou about this poet an acclaimed american poet, storyteller, activist, and autobiographer, maya angelou was born marguerite johnson in st. Angelou also wrote an autobiography with this same title, i know why the caged bird sings.
Her reflections on the society and the times she lived in are vividly expressed in her poetry. When i picked up i know why the caged bird sings by maya angelou i knew two things. She describes the way a free bird leaps on the back of the wind. I know why the caged bird sings is a 1969 autobiography describing the early years of american writer and poet maya angelou.
Actually this contrast between the birds enables her to express her own emotions about freedom and isolation. The analysis of caged bird is provided below by first giving a brief description on the background followed by the poem structure and its meaning. Analysis of caged bird a poem written by maya angelou. Poetry analysis of maya angelous caged bird caged bird is a poem written by maya angelou which considers the conditions of the free bird and the caged bird. Maya angelou uses a myriad of poetic devices in caged bird, including metaphor, rhyme, imagery, alliteration, personification, and repetition. She wrote i know why the caged bird sings at a time when autobiographies of women, and particularly black women, had begun to proclaim womens significance in the mainstream as thinkers and activists.
772 1287 110 447 562 1360 972 1447 1378 929 725 1399 1477 34 1349 859 112 110 955 548 1273 452 298 948 860 1230 465 1160 134 442 627 243 647