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I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings Literary Devices

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
 Literary Devices

Rich use of literary devices
The poem is rich in literary devices.

Symbolism
For instance, the free bird symbolises liberty and white Americans, while the caged bird symbolises enslavement and African Americans.
The fat worms symbolise the privileges enjoyed by the white Americans.

Imagery
Angelou has used auditory imagery where she refers to the "fearful trill" and "nightmare scream" of the caged bird, highlighting the helplessness and the deplorable condition of the enslaved.

"The caged bird sings
with a fearful trill
his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream"

We can also visualise the free bird leaping "on the back of the wind" and dipping its wings in "orange sun rays".
"A free bird leaps
on the back of the wind
and dips his wing
in the orange sun rays"

Alliteration
There are several instances of alliteration in the poem which lends to its rhythm. 
"and the trade winds soft through the sighing trees
and the fat worms waiting on a dawn bright lawn.
his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream"

Personification
Another figure of speech that has been used is personification, where inanimate objects have been given human qualities.
"and the trade winds soft through the sighing trees
his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream"

Repetition
The use of repetition also stands out. Not only is the third stanza repeated, the lines "his wings are clipped and his feet are tied so he opens his throat to sing" are also repeated in the second and fifth stanzas. This repetition underscores the oppression experienced by the caged bird.
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou. :-
1. Question and Answers RTCs: http://why-caged-bird-sings-question
3. Themes, Form and Structure: http://why-caged-bird-sings-key-themes-form
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou. :-
1. Question and Answers RTCs: http://why-caged-bird-sings-question
3. Themes, Form and Structure: http://why-caged-bird-sings-key-themes-form
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