The poem compares a free bird and a caged bird. The free bird is able to fly wherever it wants and sings about what it possesses. In contrast, the caged bird is trapped and can only see a small portion of the world from its cage. It sings of freedom and the unknown things it longs for but is unable to obtain due to being confined to its cage. The poem is seen as an allegory for the experience of black Americans and their fight for freedom and equality during the 1960s when racism was still prevalent.

1. I know why the
caged
bird
sings

2. 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

3. 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

4. The caged bird sings
with fearful trill
of the things unknown
but longed for still
and is tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged bird
sings of freedom

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. Historical Context
• PoemautobiographyMaya Angelou’s name
named after
1969 with the same
• Depicts racism in the 1960’s
• The caged birdofrepresents the
vocal activism African Americans
• The singing can be the sound of
black gospel music typically
associated with freedom themes

9. Comparative Poem
• Compares a free and caged bird
• This sets up literary contrast
• This engages to reader to
observe the differences
• What are the differences
between the free and caged birds?

10. The Free Bird
• Has it easy (back to the wind, downstream)
• His voice sings to claim the sky
• His song is about what he has
• His activity is getting more
of what he already has

11. The Caged Bird
• Only has a specific lot in life (narrow cage)
• Cannot see truly what he is missing
• Cannot be a true bird (clipped, tied)
• Sings of things it doesn’t know,
but deep down knows there
is more to life
• Sings for freedom

12. How I Identify With It
• I feel trapped by the circumstances of life
• I feel like I’m always angry and in rage
• I feel like I’m always talking
about what I could be but
don’t know how to get there
• Sometimes I feel that I have
just given up on my dreams

13. What It Means Today
• First black president in history has helped
African American race relations
• There are still minorities
that are being trivialized
• The cry of the afflicted is
still heard loud and clear today
• The poor and the immigrant