I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings Group

Question:

lutskova
lutskova
Student
High School - 12th Grade

In the poem "I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings", how is the caged bird feeling?

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Posted by lutskova on Wednesday October 15, 2008 at 8:03 PM and tagged with bird, feeling, i know why the caged bird sings.

Answers:


  1. ladyvols1 Teacher
    High School - 9th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    "The caged bird sings with a fearful trill
    of things unknown but longed for still
    and his tune is heard on the distant hill
    for the caged bird sings of freedom."

    The bird is feeling trapped and hopeless. The bird, although caged instinctively knows that this not not how a bird should live.  The bird is symbolic for the plight of the African-American people as they struggled for their rights. 

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/know-why/themes

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    Posted by ladyvols1 on Wednesday October 15, 2008 at 8:54 PM