Maya Angelou, born on April 4, 1928, is an African American poet and civil rights activist known for her notable work 'I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,' which explores themes of freedom and the oppression faced by African Americans. The poem uses rich imagery and poetic devices such as metaphor and symbolism to illustrate the contrast between the free and caged bird, representing the struggle against racism and inequality. Each stanza reinforces the longing for freedom and the emotional toll of confinement, both literal and metaphorical.

2. Background of the Poet
Name Maya Angelou
Born 4 April 1928
St. Louis, Missouri, US
Occupation Poet, civil rights activist,
dancer, film producer,
television producer,
playwright, film director,
author, actress, professor
Ethnic African American
Literary Movement Civil Rights
Notable Works I know why the caged bird
sings, On the Pulse of
Morning

3. Poem: I Know Why the Caged Bird
Sings (Stanza 1)
The free bird leaps
on the back of the
wind and floats
downstream till the
current ends and
dips his wings
in the orange sun rays
and dares to claim the
sky.

4. But a bird that stalks
down his narrow cage
can seldom see
through his bars of
rage
his wings are clipped
and his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to
sing.
Poem: I Know Why the Caged Bird
Sings (Stanza 2)

5. The caged bird
sings with fearful
trill
of the things
unknown but
longed for still and
his tune is heard on
the distant hill
for the caged
bird sings of
freedom
Poem: I Know Why the Caged Bird
Sings (Stanza 3)

6. The free bird thinks of another breeze
and the trade winds soft through the sighing
trees and the fat worms waiting on a dawn-
bright lawn and he names the sky his own.
Poem: I Know Why the Caged Bird
Sings (Stanza 4)

7. But a caged bird stands on the grave of
dreams his shadow shouts on a nightmare
scream
his wings are clipped and his feet are
tied so he opens his throat to sing
Poem: I Know Why the Caged Bird
Sings (Stanza 5)

8. 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.
Poem: I Know Why the Caged Bird
Sings (Stanza 6)

9. 1. Freedom
The caged bird can be interpreted as the
black race being held back from freedom by
their skin color. They are the repressed
African Americans who are both literally
and figuratively caged and unable to spread
their wings and meet their full potential.
They dream of freedom. The
repetition of the word "freedom" is also used
to highlight the rights of every American
citizen.

10. 2. Inequality/Racism
The oppressing effects of racism and
segregation in America deprives the black
community of something America upholds
with pride. The blacks were treated as
second class citizens.
They are not trapped within a literal cage,
but they are trapped in their own skin.
Much like their ancestors who crossed the
ocean in slave ships, blacks were
branded as an inferior race.
The inequality has led to frustration
and restriction.

11. American Slavery

12. Racism in America

19. Identify the elements in the poem and write about the following:
1. Speaker/Persona
2. Point of View
3. Tone/Mood
4. Style (rhyme scheme)
5. Language
6. Theme
7. Poetic devices
a. Alliteration
b. Metaphor
c. Personification
d. Symbolism
e. Repetition
* Which element/device create the greatest effect within the
poem?