I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings Explained

For ICSE Students.
Using the striking imagery of a free bird representing the white man and the caged bird representing the black man, Maya Angelou's poem gives voice to the victims of racial hatred and discrimination. The poem makes a lasting impression by showing how in spite of continuously and violently pushed back, the oppressed people continue to struggle and push forward towards dignity and freedom.

[jjmgreen]

GUYS all the best for tomorrow's literature boards ;)

[koreng]

I think the ending is so much more. It could be suggesting that no matter how long the caged bird sings, he will be ignored. His tune was heard on the distant hill, but still nobody listens. Its very beautiful. And sad

[riyashigwan]

I have an exam tomorrow and this video was exactly what I had been looking for. thank you so much ma'am

[longlakeshore]

Maya was inspired by and borrowed the line from a famous poem written in 1899 by the great African-American poet Paul Lawrence Dunbar called Sympathy:

I know what the caged bird feels, alas!
When the sun is bright on the upland slopes;
When the wind stirs soft through the springing grass,
And the river flows like a stream of glass;
When the first bird sings and the first bud opes,
And the faint perfume from its chalice steals -
I know what the caged bird feels!

I know why the caged bird beats his wing
Till its blood is red on the cruel bars;
For he must fly back to his perch and cling
When he fain would be on the bough-a-swing;
And a pain still throbs in the old, old scars
And they pulse again with a keener sting -
I know why he beats his wing!

I know why the caged bird sings, ah me,
When his wing is bruised and his bosom sore, -
When he beats his bars and he would be free;
It is not a carol of joy or glee,
But a prayer that he sends from his heart's deep core,
But a plea, that upward to Heaven he flings -
I know why the caged bird sings!



It also inspired her poem Caged Bird and titles from her autobiographies A Song Flung Up To Heaven and I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings.

[ashaa]

Who else like me have their exam tomorrow

[radhikadua]

Loved your way of teaching. This was quite useful. Thank you!

[PoonamSharma-kkmq]

That was an amazing explanation ma'am. Thank you so much for your kind efforts.

[sugarfudge]

Thanks for this beautiful explanation ma'am. I missed this poem when it was taught in my class and came to look for a good explanation with the minutest details. Glad I could find it here. ❤️

[mehmaalexander]

I started just now.
I believes that til tomorrow morning I'll complete the entire syllabus😁

[shiaro]

the best teacher i ever saw for engklish

[viveka]

the explanations are wonderful but i suppose they are superficial too. there is so much meaning veiled by the form, the structure, the usage of strong and evoking words such as 'stalking' (symbolizing heavy restraint) the circular pattern serves to reinforce the constant cycle of hope that is passed onto generation of slaved Americans, confined by the conformity of those times. it would be great if you add these to your explanations, as it would increase the beauty of the poem within the lines, so much more.

[hrishitasachdeva]

MAM YOU EXPLAINED THE POEM SO WELL, HIGHLY APPRECIATED.

[iamkhan]

Today is 1st March,
10th ICSE English Literature board paper .
Best of luck to anyone who sees this 🫡🤧

[kaustubhrastogi]

Best of luck for your literature board exam

[sonigupta]

7:36 Sighing tress means that trees are too tied to ground like the caged bird and so they are Sighing

[Hardik_arts]

So how many guys r here, whose literature exam is tomorrow? 😭

[mamtajain]

This has been so much helpful for my Son during this lockdown.
Please upload all the poems and lessons of 10the ICSE treasure trove

[rishitkumar-nrwc]

All the best for tomorrow's exam icse board students

[aryatongale]

Perfectly explained. Thank you for your efforts.

[mukeshmalik]

I was searching for such explanation. I think this is the best explanation to the poem . Thank you so very much .