CAGED BIRD

By Maya Angelou
 BACKGROUND
Maya Angelou’s poem entitled "Caged Bird"
was inspired by Paul Dunbar’s poem
“Sympathy.” The major theme of both poems
is freedom. Angelou's autobiography I Know
Why the Caged Bird Sings exemplifies the
meaning of this poem.

THEMES
‘Caged Bird’ is filled with powerful themes. These
include racial oppression, freedom/captivity, and
happiness/sorrow. These themes are all wrapped
together in ‘Caged Bird’ through Angelou’s
depiction of the two birds, one free and one
caged.
 CAGE- Captivity
Angelou uses 'cage' as a symbol to SYMBOLS
signify captivity, oppression and absence
of freedom

BIRDS- FREE AND CAGED

In Maya Angelou’s ‘Caged Bird,’ the poet uses two
bird metaphors. The free bird symbolizes white
Americans or all free people who enjoy equal rights.
The caged bird is a metaphor for/symbolizes oppressed
Black Americans who are kept captive through racist
policies. MUSIC- Birdsong
The caged bird’s song is a symbol for the freedom
he longs for but has never known. Confined to a
cage, the bird uses the power of his voice to move
through the airspace his body cannot access.
Although the bird cannot fly, he can still express his
despair and his longing, which amounts to freedom
in a symbolic form.