I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings

“I KNOW WHY THE
CAGED BIRD SINGS”
By
MAYA ANGELOU
BIBLIOGRAPHY
MAYA ANGELOU
MAYA ANGELOU
o Marguerite Ann Johnson
o Born on April 4, 1928 in St. Louis,
Missouri.
o Nominated for the Pulitzer Prize for
poetry in 1971
o Famous with autobiographical works,
which include “I Know Why the Caged
Bird Sings” and “All God’s Children
Need Travelling Shoes”.
BETWEEN LINES
STANZA BY STANZA
STANZA 1
 Maya described the wonderful life of
the free bird. It “dares to claim the sky”
(L,7) shows that it can flies freely high
above the sky. The line, “the bird dips
his wings, in the orange sun rays”
(L,5) (L,6) indicates the free bird enjoy
his life.
STANZA 2
 In this stanza, the line “his wings are
clipped, and his feet are tied” (L,12)
(L,13) portrays the movement of the
bird in the cage is limited. “so he
opens his throat to sing” (L,14)
illustrates that all he can do is just
singing in the cage.
STANZA 3
 This stanza shows how the caged bird
scared about his future, and sing with
“fearful trill” (L,16). The only effort that
the caged bird can make is sing
loudly, as mention in “..tune is heard
on the distant hill” (L,19,20)
STANZA 4
 “..thinks of another breeze” (L,22)
symbolized that the free bird is aiming
for another opportunity. He is very
proud of the freedom he has, that “he
names the sky his own”. (L,25)
STANZA 5
 The bird in the cage “stand on the
grave of dreams” (L,26). This line
posits that the caged bird can only
imagine all the freedom outside the
cage.
THEME
 Freedom
The persona put a contrast in situation between
the bird that can fly freely (stanza 1), and the bird
that trapped in a cage (stanza 2).
 Discrimination
The persona try to underline this theme, as been
portrays when the free bird can fly freely and has a
good condition (L, 24), while the caged bird cannot
move freely (L,12 and 13) and only has a voice to
seek help (L,15 and 21)
 Racism
Two kinds of bird in this poem indicates the
black and white people. The free bird
represents
the white whereas the caged bird
symbolizes
the black. Maya Angelou tried to show the
discrimination between the white and the
black
people.
DEVICES
 Repetition
1) “His wings are clipped and
his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing.”
(L, 12,13,14) and (L, 28,29)
2) (stanza 3) and (stanza 6)

DEVICES
 Alliteration
1) “…dawn-bright lawn” (L,24) (stanza 4)
 Personification
1) “..sighing trees” (L,23) (stanza 4)
2) “..nightmare scream” (L,27) (stanza 5)
3) “shadow shouts..” (L,27) (stanza 5)
DEVICES
 Hyperbole
1) “..tune is heard
on the distant hill” (L,19,20) (stanza 3)
 The entire poem is metaphor, with the caged

bird representing those who have no freedom, and
has been discriminated by the superior which
represents by the free bird.
Tones/Mood
Stanza 1
Happy, Joyful
“The free birds leaps” (L,1)
Stanza 2
Disappointed/Frustrated
“can seldom see through” (L,10)
Impatient
“his wings are clipped and his feet are tied”
(L,12-13)
Stanza 3
Sarcastic
“and is tune is heard” (L,19)
“on the distant hill for the caged bird”
(L,20)
Stanza 4
Sinister
“…thinks of another breeze” (L,22)
“and he names the sky his own” (L,25)
Stanza 5
Eerie and sad
“grave of dreams” (L,26)
“nightmare scream” (L,27)
Paraphrase
 The poem “ I Know Why the Caged Birds Sing” by
Maya Angelou opens with a description of a bird
that has the freedom. This bird flies happily in the
evening, “…dips his wings in the orange sun rays”
(L,5 and 6). However, the bird that is in the cage is
in sorrow. His movement is limited, so all he can
do is to sing the freedom song. He sings “with
fearful trill” (L,16). This situation continued until
his voice can be heard at the distant. The bird
outside the cage can think of other opportunity
and proudly assume the sky is his. “and he names
the sky his own” (L,25). Using eerie words and
phrases, the caged bird is said to be imagining all
the freedom he has been hoping for.
Thoughts
 Appreciating freedom
 Help those who are weak
 Do not discriminate others
 Respect each other
CURRENT SITUATION
 Discrimination between white people and the
Africans.
 Barrack Hussein Obama as the first black president
of America.
 Discuss such situations if any, around you

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What are the main themes explored in the poem?

How does the poet use literary devices like repetition and personification?

“I KNOW WHY THE

CAGED BIRD SINGS”

2) (stanza 3) and (stanza 6)

 The entire poem is metaphor, with the caged

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