I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings Key Themes, Form and Structure:

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings Key Themes, Form and Structure: 

Key Themes

Freedom vs. oppression

The central theme of the poem is freedom vs. oppression which is clearly symbolised by the free bird and the caged bird respectively.

While the free bird soars high in the sky, the caged bird's wings are clipped and feet are tied. Similarly, the free bird claims to own the sky, whereas the caged bird can only sing of 'things unknown'. It can only long for freedom without really knowing when it will experience freedom.

Through the poem, Maya Angelou makes us aware of the oppression that African Americans had to endure. While the whites, symbolised by the free bird, had all rights and privileges, African Americans, symbolised by the caged bird, were enslaved for centuries. Even after slavery was officially abolished,African Americans were denied basic rights like the right to vote and had several restrictions placed on them. They had almost no social, religious or cultural freedom, and were often subjected to violence.

Perseverance and revolution against oppression

The poem is also a call for perseverance and revolution against oppression.

The caged bird finds itself tied down, in a nightmarish situation, surrounded by dead dreams. In spite of this, it does not give up hope. It still longs for freedom and sings of it in such a way that the song is heard in distant places. By repeating the third stanza, the poet asserts that the oppressed must not suffer in silence. They must voice their hopes and dreams, and inspire other oppressed people to do the same.

Literary Style

Form

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings has six stanzas, of which the third and the sixth stanza are identical. Note how each stanza of the poem is a full sentence.

No consistent rhyme scheme.

The poem does not have a consistent rhyme scheme. However, there are some instances of rhyming lines which lend the poem a distinct rhythm. 

The caged bird sings

with a fearful trill

of things unknown

but longed for still 

and his tune is heard 

for the caged bird

on the distant hill

sings of freedom.

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