I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou Analysis

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Background

Maya Angelou (Marguerite Ann Johnson) was born in St. Louis, Missouri, on April 4. Maya Angelou is an American poet, memoirist, actress, Angelou is known for her series of six autobiographies starting with I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, which was nominated for a National Book Award. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is a 1969 autobiography about the early years of author Maya Angelou’s life. Maya Angelou’s racially centered poetry has a very powerful tone. Maya poem “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” is about the repression of the African American race, she uses her coming-of-age story to illustrate the ways in which racism and trauma can be overcome by a strong character and a love of literature. As a young black woman growing up in the South, and later in war time San Francisco, Maya Angelou faced racism from whites and poor treatment from many men.

Analysis

The free bird leaps

on the back of the wind

and floats down stream

till the current ends

and dips his wings

in the orange sun rays 

free bird – metaphor/symbol

free bird leaps on the back of the wind/ orange sun rays – kinaesthetic/visual imagery

dips his wings – assonance

rhyme – AABC (not regular)

First and second stanzas sharply contrast the symbols free bird and caged bird. Free bird symbolizes physically and mentally free set of people. According to the background we can infer that the symbol represents the white skinned American people who possessed power and freedom without any restriction. The images ‘leaps back of the wind’, ‘floats down the stream till the current ends’ show the freedom and opportunities they experience. Their limit of power is the ‘sky’.  

But a bird that stalks

down his narrow cage

can seldom see through

his bar of rage

his wings are clipped

his feet are tied

so he opens his throat to sing

bird stalks in narrow cage/ opens his throat to sing – visual/kinaesthetic imagery

caged bird/bars of rage – metaphor/symbol

seldom see through – alliteration

Rhyme – AABC (not regular)

In contrast, second stanza depicts the restricted life that caged birds led. The caged bird may be suggestive of the dark-skinned people who had experienced mental and physical restrictions from the oppressive party. The narrow cage, clipped wings and tied feet show their restriction of movement. The passive structure shows their passivity as well as it is indicated that the actions are done by somebody upon them. ‘bird stalks down his narrow cage’ creates a kinaesthetic image of movement that a bird slowly moves around his limited space. ‘The bar of rage’ depicts the bottled up anger of the caged one which cannot be let out. The only way of expressing themselves is raising their voice. Knowing that the supressed one raises his voice as a song. The song is symbolic of their struggle made against the powerful oppressors.      

The caged bird sings

with fearful trill

of the things unknown

but longed for still

and his tune is heard

on the distant hill

for the caged bird

sings of freedom

caged bird/his tune – symbol

Rhyme – AAAB (last rhyme restricts the regularity of rhyme)

Although the caged bird sings in a fearful trembling voice. The caged bird fears for the oppression which may result his singing. Although he does not know what is really he is requesting, (the reason is he has never experienced such freedom) he keeps on struggling for the right which every human being should receive, the freedom. The power of that voice spreads all over the world.  The reason might be it is about freedom, which is a universal crisis which many people face due to cast, colour, religion so on. ‘his tune is heard on the distant hill’ suggests the impact of their struggle. The restricted rhyming scheme shows that their desire to have freedom is restricted by oppressors.

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

and he names the sky his own

sighing trees – personification

fat worms – metaphor

Rhyme – AABB (regular)

The fourth and fifth stanzas again sharply contrasts with regard to the privileges which the free bird and caged bird indulge. After indulging one comfort they think of another opportunity (another breeze) and the environment is quite favourable for them (trade wind soft). They have enough food and opportunities waiting for them (fat worms waiting) and they enjoy the beauty of the world (on a dawn bright lawn) claiming that all the comforts only belong to them not anybody else (names the sky his own). ‘Sighing trees’ may be suggestive that the nature only worries about the black people’s suffering. Regular rhyme scheme depicts the regularity of this process.    

But the 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

grave of dreams – metaphor

shadow shouts – personification/alliteration

are clipped/are tied – passive structure

opens his throat – visual/kinaesthetic imagery

Rhyme – AABC (irregular)

When the dreams are dead, there is no hope for living. First line suggests that the caged bird’s dreams are dead and buried which means they have no hope for living. Even his powerless figure (shadow) suffers from numerous harassments (nightmare). As all the opportunities are barred for him he starts singing which is the only thing he can do.  

The caged bird sings

with fearful trill

of the things unknown

but longed for still

and his tune is heard

on the distant hill

for the caged bird

sings of freedom

refrain – repetition used with a reason.

The repetition shows their continuous struggle. They are not ready to give up on the battle till they receive the right place to live. 

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