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Themes in Caged Bird by Maya Angelou

Introduction

Published in 1983, Maya Angelou’s poem Caged Bird describes two opposing experiences of two birds: one bird suffers in captivity while another bird is free to live as it pleases. To cope with the circumstances, the caged birds result in singing, an indication of freedom. The author employs the metaphor of two birds to paint a picture of oppression that showcases the simultaneous suffering of the birds. Particularly, the poem portrays the experiences of African American communities in society. This text highlights the main themes that are depicted in Caged Bird by Maya Angelou, including oppression, freedom, and resilience.

Oppression

Throughout the poem, the author uses oppression to push the theme of freedom. As opposed to the free bird that has the liberty to soar the currents of wind, the caged bird is held prisoner in its cage with its feet tied and wings clipped. The caged bird is frustrated with the situation but cannot see through the bars of rage (Saputri, 78). The oppressive circumstances limit the bird’s ability to take flights. The birds begin singing freedom songs. The song travels far and transcends airspace where the birds seek to fly. This way, the song serves as both a consequence and defeat of oppression. While the bird is not free to fly, its soul points to the freedom that it years for. The allegory of the poem points to the oppressive circumstances under which caged birds live under-representing the systemic oppression of people of color in America.

Freedom

In the first stanza, the speaker employs imagery to refer to the free bird’s unlimited access to the sky, sun, and wind. In this poem, the theme of foregrounds freedom is the most dominant. As the poem continues, Maya Angelou compares the access to freedom of the free bird with the song of freedom sang by the caged bird. The later lament because of the confinement, and it is clear that he longs to be set free. Angelou juxtaposes the perspectives of the two birds to show that the caged bird appreciates the true value of freedom while the free bird feel entitled to its freedom (Zaini and Mohsin, 23). The caged bird has never experienced freedom but his spirit yearns nothing less. This way, Angelou shows a paradox where the caged bird has better authority on freedom than the already free bird. This is the same way insomniacs have a specific understanding of the worth of sleep.

Resilience

Resilience is another major theme that is encapsulated in the freedom song that the caged bird keeps repeating. The speaker describes the song of freedom sang by the caged animal as a paradox. Despite knowing that they are locked inside a cage, the bird sings about things that were unknown but they still longed for. The speaker realizes the song being snag by the bird is a freedom song in a different form. While the bird is unable to leave his cage physically, his voice travels in the same airspaces where the bird that is free flies through. The speaker interprets those songs as an expression of longing for freedom which his soul craves. Angelou lays emphasis on the beauty of the resilience displayed by the caged bird despite the confinement. Based on the poem’s allegory, the caged bird had the capability to overcome the difficulties represented by African Americans who have steadfast spirits despite going through oppressive material conditions.

Conclusion

In closing, the dominant themes exhibited in Maya Angelou’s Caged Bird include resilience, freedom, and oppression. The speaker uses the theme of freedom to push the theme of oppression. Unlike the free bird, the caged bird has never experienced freedom but his spirit yearns nothing less. Angelou insists on the beauty of the resilience displayed by the caged bird despite the confinement.

Works Cited

Saputri, Gisa Maya. “Racism towards African American community as reflected in maya angelou’si know why the caged bird sings: black aesthetic criticism.” rubikon: Journal of Transnational American Studies 8.2 (2021): 78-90.

Zaini, Qudsia, and Mohsin Hasan Khan. “Maya Angelou’s Battle with Alienation in I know Why the Caged Bird Sings.” AWEJ for Translation & Literary Studies 5.1 (2021).