I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings Context and Summary

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings 

Context and Summary

Context

Maya Angelou, born Marguerite Johnson, is one of the most iconic and influential figures of 20th century America .

Angelou donned several hats throughout her life, but received widespread fame mainly as a writer, poet, civil rights activist and feminist. Not only did she experience racial and gender discrimination in her lifetime, she also had a traumatic childhood. She used poetry as a tool to cope with this trauma. Angelou is best known for her series of seven autobiographies, of which the first one, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, brought her international acclaim. Notable collections of poetry include Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water 'fore I Diiie, And Still I Rise, and Shaker, Why Don't You Sing?

The poem / Know Why the Caged Bird Sings was published in the collection Shaker, Why Don't You Sing? The title of the poem is a reference to her own autobiography, while the autobiography's title was inspired by a poem by Paul Laurence Dunbar, a famous African-American poet. The poem is a powerful comparison between freedom and captivity. Using birds as a metaphor, Angelou highlights the stark contrast between the lives and experiences of white Americans and African Americans.

Summary

Here is a summary of the poem | Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou.

The opening lines paint a picture of absolute freedom with a description of a free bird. The free bird leaps into the sky and glides easily, helped along by the wind current. It is able to fly so high that it can touch the sun and claim that it owns. the vast sky. Here, the poet tells us how comfortable a free person's existence is. There are no limits to what a free person can do or dream of. The social set-up is such that there are very few hurdles along

the way.

The second stanza paints a picture of stark contrast with a description of a caged bird. This bird can only walk around in its cage and can barely see anything beyond the bars of the cage. Its wings are cut and feet are tied, and all it can do is sing. Here, the poet tells us how limited the existence of an oppressed person is. She or he does not have the same opportunities as the free person and is often blinded by the anger caused by the lack of freedom. Despite this, an oppressed person is not entirely devoid of hope.

The third stanza describes the caged bird's song. The caged bird sings with a quavering, fearful voice about freedom - something it dearly wants but has not yet experienced. Because the bird sings of freedom, it can be heard miles away. In other words, a person's freedom might be taken away, but no one can take away dreams and hopes. An oppressed person, though afraid, dreams of a future devoid of any limitations and inspires others in faraway places. dream, too.

The fourth stanza returns to the free bird that imagines flying unrestricted over trees and riding a steadily blowing wind. It thinks about the food that is waiting for it and declares that the sky belongs to it. In other words, a free person can dream big and does not have to worry about fulfilling basic needs like food. For a free person, there is little struggle involved in surviving.

The fifth stanza again highlights the deplorable condition of the caged bird. The caged bird is surrounded by dead dreams and is reduced to a shadow of its original self. The situation it finds itself in is nightmarish. All it can do is sing. In other words, an oppressed person is surrounded by hardships and nightmare-like situations. She or he may be robbed of identity and individuality.

The final stanza is a repetition of the third stanza. The poet emphasises that even though adversities surround an oppressed person, there is still hope. One must never give up and must continue to sing of freedom, must continue to dream.

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou. :-

1. Question and Answers RTCs: http://why-caged-bird-sings-question

2. Context and Summary: http://why-caged-bird-sings-context-and-summary

3. Themes, Form and Structure: http://why-caged-bird-sings-key-themes-form

4. Literary Devices: http://why-caged-bird-sings-literary-devices