I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings
By: Maya Angelou
“I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings” is not just about a Bird that is Caged and signing, although that’s what it portrays the real true meaning is referring to black slavery and how they tried to speak out Against slavery. Without mentioning the past events but just using the free bird and caged bird as symbols of the past, as well as drawing in the reader into the poem give them a sad, eager feeling wanting to help the cage bird be free with the other bird . Throughout the poem the theme is very darkened and sad. Maya Angelou’s intent was to spread word and use her voice towards what has been going on to other people of colour.Through the poem some of the poetic devices she uses metaphors “but a caged bird stands on a grave of dreams” and also “bars of rage”. Personification and alliteration was also both used in one of her lines in the poem “his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream”. Maya also has some imagery “dips his wings in the orange rays” “leaps back of wind” . Maya used multiple forms of poetic devices to connect to her audience to give them a good visual and mental meaning of what she has written for the reader to write. In the end “I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings” is not just a poem about a caged bird, instead its about slavery and how they were treated and tried to voice their own opinion. Maya used this poem to voice her voice on the events to the public to educate the public on what is going on