Caged Bird by Maya Angelou

Background notes on poet:

Maya Angelou (1928 – 2014) is an African American poet, author, dancer, singer,
film producer, activist and feminist. She was most famous for her autobiography
also titled I know why the caged bird sings which tells the story of her tough working-
class background. She won many awards during her lifetime and was Professor of
American studies in North Carolina.

Caged Bird

A free bird leaps 

on the back of the wind   
and floats downstream   
till the current ends 
and dips his wing 5 
in the orange sun rays 
and dares to claim the sky. 

But a bird that stalks 

down his narrow cage 
can seldom see through  10
his bars of rage 
his wings are clipped and   
his feet are tied 
so he opens his throat to sing. 

The caged bird sings    15

with a fearful trill   
of things unknown   
but longed for still   
and his tune is heard   
on the distant hill    20
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  25
and he names the sky his own 

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.  30

The caged bird sings   

with a fearful trill   
of things unknown   
but longed for still   
and his tune is heard    35
on the distant hill   
for the caged bird   
sings of freedom.
Characteristics of this poem:
Maya Angelou’s poem has a musical quality to it which is particularly apt because it
reinforces the idea of singing, a central image in the poem. The extensive use of
enjambment, repeated words, phrases and structures, and the refrain (stanzas three
and six) contribute to this quality.
Introduction:
This poem compares the different experiences of a free bird and a caged bird and
the poet highlights why it is that the caged bird sings: it is all it can do to taste
freedom. Metaphorically, the birds represent those who are imprisoned, or
oppressed in some way (caged), and those who enjoy privilege, opportunities and
autonomy (who are free) One interpretation links the poem to the civil rights
movement in America, where activists campaigning for justice and equality for black
people would be the caged birds sing[ing] of freedom. The contrasting
circumstances depicted could also relate to gender inequality, or any other situation
where one group is empowered and the other is not.
 The poem compares the different experiences of a free bird and a caged bird and
the poet highlights why it is that the caged bird sings – it is all it can do to taste
freedom.
 Metaphorically the caged birds represent those who are imprisoned and
oppressed and those who enjoy privilege and who are free. (Birds are often
associated with freedom because of their ability to fly.)
 The contrasting circumstances depicted could relate to gender inequality, or any
other situation where one group is empowered and the other is not.
 The mood of the poem moves from joyful to dark, but is ultimately defiant – the
caged bird refuses to be silent and uses the only thing it has at its disposal: its
voice.
 The poem contrasts the caged bird with the free bird and their different
characteristics, emphasising the caged bird.
o The bird represents people in the actual world who are restricted/
oppressed/ discriminated against.
o The bars of the cage represent the things that keep people from doing
what they wish.
o The poem also speaks about the hope that people have.
o The speaker wants people to see and hear the difference between the free
birds and the caged bird.
o Lastly the speaker wants us to take home the idea that people with similar
experiences may feel the same way; like a caged bird, who is not free, but
has hope within them.

Title:
 Caged – indicates restrictions.
 Bird – a creature that has wings and is meant to fly.
- the fact that it can fly, indicates freedom
 Caged is thus a contradiction with what is naturally meant for this creature (bird)
 Deeper meaning – An image of restriction is created.
Theme:
The poem contrasts the caged bird with the free bird and their different
characteristics, emphasising the caged bird.
 The bird represents people in the actual world who are restricted/ oppressed/
discriminated against.
 The bars of the cage represent the things that keep people from doing what
they wish.
 The poem also speaks about the hope that people have.
 The speaker wants people to see and hear the difference between the free
birds and the caged bird.
 Lastly the speaker wants us to take home the idea that people with similar
experiences may feel the same way; like a caged bird, who is not free, but
has hope within them.
Analysis:
Stanza 1:
 The poem begins by speaking of the free bird and the freedom it has to go
anywhere, whenever, and it can claim the sky because it is free.
 The stanza implies that the free bird is lazy and would rather float on the wind
instead of making its own path.
Stanza 2:
 Introduces the limitations set upon the caged bird and how it affects the bird.
 It is still proud and calls out for freedom.
Stanza 3:
 Emphasises the caged bird and its plight.
 Tells of how the caged bird sings for freedom – as if it still has hope for things
it does not know of.
 The caged bird ‘can be heard on the distant hill’.
 The bird is shown to rebel against all that holds it back in an attempt to be
freed.
Stanza 4:
 The free bird – again
 The free bird ‘thinks of another breeze’ showing that although it is free, the
bird is not content and is greedy to have even more freedom.
 It is again implied to be lazy in that it is dissatisfied with the stream of wind
that it is on but not enough to do something about it.
 The stanza then describes how easy things seem to come to the free bird as
there are worms waiting for it at dawn on the lawn.
Stanza 5:
 The bird in its cage
 The cage has become the grave for the bird’s dreams.
 It still sings of freedom.
Stanza 6:
  Repetition of stanza 3 which emphasises the caged bird and the fact that the
bird’s song is to be feared and respected.

Further points to consider

 The poem is ultimately positive because although the caged bird has no
freedom, his hope cannot be dimmed by the bars of the cage and ‘clipped
wings’.
 His song is so loud that it is heard on a distant hill, perhaps forcing the free
bird to take notice.
 There are constant shifts in the poem:
- The poem begins with a positive, joyful free bird and shifts to the viewpoint
of the caged bird.
- The greatest shift is from the 3rd to the 4th stanza.
- The behaviour and lives of both birds are compared throughout in very
vivid ways, so that each one is separated completely.
- Finally, it shifts back to the caged bird and its song of hope which also
conveys the speaker’s feelings.
Diction/ Imagery/ Poetic Devices
 Diction alternates between very harsh, strong words such as ‘stalks’ and
‘fearful trill’ in stanza 3 about the caged bird, to more flowing words such as
‘floats’ and ‘sighing trees’ when concerned with the free bird.
 Enjambment (The continuation of a sentence without a pause beyond the
end of the line)

- There is very little punctuation in this poem

- Most of the lines are made up of a single sentence with enjambed lines.
- This creates a fluid effect that contributes to the musical quality of the
poem.
 Alliteration
- ‘fearful trill’ (stanza 3)
- Adds to the ‘sound effect’ and musical quality of the poem.
- Consider the definition of the word ‘trill’ – quavering sound/ birds warbling

Tone/Mood:
Stanza 1:
Tone
 Elation/ Exuberant/ Playful
 A description of the free bird enjoying the open sky.
 In the last line one can feel a shift in tone it becomes almost arrogant –
‘claims the sky’.

Mood
 Light hearted
Stanza 2:
Tone
 Anger
 Possibly bitterness

Stanza 3:
The tone is ominous/ frustrated
- Due to the extremity of difference between the free bird and the caged
bird.
- The speaker expresses the hope one might still have when problems
occur, by repeating the verse about the caged bird still singing.
Stanza 4:
The tone becomes more positive and upbeat again BUT the contrast between the
free and the caged bird is now clearly contrasted with the free bird.
Stanza 6:
The tone is depressing.

The refrain:
 Section of poetry that is repeated like a chorus.
 Usually carries the central message of the poem.
 adds to the poem’s lyrical/musical quality.

Questions on Caged Bird

1.1 Comment on the poet’s use of verbs used in stanza one: how do they
convey the experience of being a free bird? (3)
1.2 By referring to stanza two, write down the ways in which the caged bird
is trapped, and explain why he stalks. (5)
1.3 Explain why the caged bird’s trill (song) is fearful. (3)
1.4 Explain what is meant by the metaphor: a caged bird stands on the
grave of dreams. (3)
1.5 Name two ways that the refrain contributes to the overall meaning of the
poem. (2)