I know why the caged bird sings

Critically analyze with examples how the poem “I know why the caged bird sings” illustrates the denial of freedom of the opposite people.

                           The poem “I know why the caged bird sings” by Maya Angelou explores the aspects of society across diverse perspectives. Thus, the poem divulges the denial of social freedom suffered by the under privileged, oppressed people in the society although the social elite spends time on the lap luxury. However the poem itself is motivated to promote the color discrimination prevailed in the American society though it is applicable in any society round the globe, given the practical and realistic approach the poetess has taken.

The poem promotes to reveal both situations of privileged as well as under privileged sections. Thus, the poetess applies two visual images as the free bird and caged bird to denote these two sections in the society. The free bird stands for the privileged high class people while the free bird precisely demonstrates the sufferings and pains took by the under privileged low class section in the society.

The free bird experience immense freedom and enjoy themselves by mingling with the nature they belong. Their freedom has no boundaries or limits but fly below the sky as they please.

                     “And dares to claim the sky…”

Here the poetess illustrates a very precise image about the situation of free bird, in life. The free bird   possesses all the comforts and freedom he could imagine, flying in the vast sky. Thus, the poetess draws parallel this situation of free bird   with the privileged section in the society. They are free to live as they wish and are not bound by strict rules and regulations. They enjoy the precious qualities in life like freedom, equality and luxury. In this way Angelou demonstrates how the privileged white Americans live up to their satisfaction.

                   “His wings are clipped and

                    His feet are tied…”

          However the life of under privileged black Americans is not so satisfactory. Thus, Angelou thrusts the image of a caged bird to suggest the sufferings endured by these suppressed people. In a bird that is caged, feet are shackled and wings are cut. They are imprisoned for life in a narrow cage, so that their movements even inside the cage are limited and measured. They are bound by life to suffer the fate of a beast so that their screams of pain are went unheard. Simultaneously, the black Americans are differentiated and treated lowly just because of their skin color and they are not allowed the unlimited freedom as the white Americans experience. This situation is very pathetic and Angelou further develops a very effective image of the caged bird   to suggest the countless pains overtook by the black Americans.

       “But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams

            His shadow shouts on a nightmare scream…”

here poetess depicts how all the dreams and hopes for a bright future and freedom has already vanished from the mind of caged bird. He is terrified, exhausted, frightened and hopeless. All his dreams and expectations are dead and he stands on their “grave”. To further imply the sufferings of the under privileged black Americans, Angelou brings forward how the caged bird is restless even in his sleep. Instead of sweet dreams he sees terrific nightmares so that he is unable to even find peace in his sleep.

                     “The caged bird sings

                      With a fearful trill…”

The melody of a bird is usually soothing but the voice of the caged bird echoes with a wavering and horrifying “trill”. This is because the caged bird has lost its soothing melodious tones because of the screams to escape the narrow bounds of its cage. Thus, he screams with a fearful echo yearning and asking for the freedom and justice. So, Angelou quite effectively compares the situation in life of a caged bird to that of a black American and points out the denied freedom of them.

In this way the poetess illustrates the lack of freedom of the oppressed and suppressed people. The enormous pains undertook by this section of the society because of their skin color is precisely drawn out all the while exhibiting a clear image of the social elite and how they experience all the comforts with everything at their beck and call.