bird constantly throws himself against the bars of his cage in a forlorn attempt at escape. Eventually, the bird sings a prayer to heaven, hoping to be free.

Maya Angelou clearly identifies with the little bird, which is why the refrain from Dunbar's poem is so singularly appropriate to her story, especially in the early part of her life. For during this period, Maya too felt very much like a caged bird as she struggled to achieve freedom in the face of a number of challenges in her life. As well as poverty, abuse, and racism, Maya also had to experience sexism when she finally ventured out into the world.

Wherever she's gone and whatever she's done, Maya has always encountered such obstacles. Nevertheless, she's continued to write and tell her story despite all the many hardships that she has endured. This is her equivalent of the little bird in Dunbar's poem singing to heaven; it is her means of achieving some measure of freedom in her life.

In chapter 4, Angelou recalls a time when she was around ten years old; a group of "poor-white-trash" girls visits Momma's store, trying to provoke her. Momma remains stoic, singing as the girls insult her. When one does a headstand, exposing her underwear, Momma "change[s] her song to a religious song." When the girls finally leave, Momma continues singing; although the incident leaves young Angelou in tears, Momma's face indicates that she is "happy" about the resolution.

In chapter 5, Angelou remembers how her mother would sometimes dance alone to music from the radio. Angelou recalls that she "loved her most at those times," comparing her dancing mother to a "pretty kiss" that floated overhead.

In chapter 10, the keynote speaker at Angelou's high school graduation delivers a crushing indictment against the possibilities of Black people to succeed in society. His speech indirectly conveys that the most Angelou and her classmates can hope to become are athletes, cooks, and seamstresses. Angelou feels defeated as she listens to their valedictorian deliver his own speech and then realizes that he unites them in song before closing. Turning his back to the audience, he faces his classmates and begins singing the "Negro National Anthem," a poem written by James Weldon Johnson with music by J. Rosamond Johnson. Once again, Angelou is encouraged and feels "on top again."

In chapter 13, Angelou's father decides to take her on a vacation. They cross into Mexico, where Angelou finds herself in a bar among Mexican farmers. Her father is more relaxed in this setting than she has ever seen him, speaking fluent Spanish and enjoying the company around him. Someone puts on music and serves drinks. Angelou is asked to dance, and she hesitantly agrees. The music adds to her feelings of contentment and pride, and she is "quickly accepted" in this unfamiliar setting.

In chapter 14, Angelou finds that she and Bailey are growing apart, yet one thing unites them: music and dancing. Mother allows them to go to the "big band dances," where Bailey and Angelou becomes "famous" for their skills.

In these examples from her autobiography, Angelou demonstrates the power of music to liberate and transform circumstances. Music is a source of encouragement and a force that unites people to persevere through difficulties. Of course, the title of the work also depends on the metaphorical comparison of Angelou's life to that of a caged bird. While a caged bird is imprisoned, it chooses to overcome obstacles by singing, transcending its seemingly hopeless reality. The caged bird never loses hope, continuing to fill its lungs with a new song, despite the bars that confine it.