iGCSE MAYA ANGELOU CAGED BIRD English Literature - an in-depth analysis; synopsis; revision aid

An in-depth analysis of the poem.

To be used as a lesson plan / revision aid / to prepare a lesson

The imagery of bird being ‘caged’ is highly effective as a bird is seen as having the utmost natural freedom by virtue of its ability to fly. We use the expression ‘as free as bird’ and therefore the image of a creature that has endless freedom being ‘caged’ depicts the ultimate deprivation of freedom. Also to fly is innate to a bird and to deprive it of this is to deprive it of its natural instinct. It is an offence against all that is natural; it is an offence against its very being.

The bird that is free “dares to claim the sky”. These words contain a subtle implication. Of course we know that the free bird has a natural right to soar the skies however the implication of the word “dares” is that he is claiming the sky to the exclusion of others. All birds are entitled to fly the sky and there is no right to put a claim upon it to the exclusion of any other birds for whatsoever reason.