The use of a paradox ‘of things unknown but longed for still’ implies how oppression defined the birds life, the feeling of freedom is unknown for the bird but is still craved, this implied the degree to which the African-American community was oppressed. This sort off inconsistency implies that the form or structure is not the focus, in fact, the message is. The stanza continues on with the description of the caged bird which sort of throws off the algorithm or pattern in the poem. Finally, the poet tops it off by adding verbs that emphasizes the mood of this stanza. ![]() The metaphor, ‘bars of rage’ represents the cage or the prison and its linked back to the currently feelings or reaction towards oppression which is, obviously anger/rage. The use of anaphora (his) helps to create this effect of listing the things that lead to the reader concluding that the caged bird is most definitely oppressed. The word ‘Seldom’ means rarely or not often and this means that the bird itself doesn’t realize the pain he’s going through. The stanza begins with a conjunction which doesn’t just imply a comparison between the first stanza (free bird) and this one (caged bird) but it also implies a transition of tone and mood, as well feelings of fear and uncertainty. The stanza concludes with the phrase ‘dares to claim the sky’ Stanza 2: ‘and dips his wings in the orange sun rays’ simply adds a finishing touch to the stanza by connoting the atmosphere evidently instilled in the stanzas that talks about the life of a free bird. The stanza continues ‘and floats downstream till the current ends’, this talks about the idea of the lack of physical boundaries since a current doesn’t stop (literally). The use of the verb, ‘leaps’ seems very powerful for a small bird, this represents not just the physical power of the bird but also the power within. The stanza begins with the description of a free bird, the first two lines starts off with a powerful use of personification as well as the verb ‘leaps’. Whilst comparing the life of a Free Bird, a symbolic representation of the White community. Depicting the life of a hopeful yet oppressed Caged Bird, a symbolic representation of the African-American society at the time. The allegory Caged Bird, written in 1968 by Maya Angelou. When living with her Grandmother, there were small occurrences of the white community since the level of segregation between the two races was extremely high. ![]() From this quiet beginning emerged a young woman who sang, danced, and recorded poetry. Frightened by the power of her own tongue, Angelou chose not to speak for the next five years. When she revealed what happened, her uncles kicked the culprit to death. When she was eight, she was raped by her mother’s boyfriend. Her parents divorced at the age of three and lived with her grandmother in Stamps, Arkansas with her brother. Background of the poetīorn: 4th April, 1928 Died: 28th May, 2014 Maya Angelou, born in St. ![]() Although it being extremely unfortunate, this does connote the type of childhood Angelou lived. The white lines that run across the canvas represents the borders that represent the ‘creators of Segregation’ and there are many lines which once again brings us back to the level at which racial segregation is still of existence. This painting by Alex Williams represents segregation in Missouri. Louis Missouri has been unfortunately common throughout time. ![]() Caged Bird Caged Bird By: Maya Angelou Historical basis:
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