Poem Analysis

Poetry Analysis: Caged Bird

By Heather Fenton

Preview the Poem

Answer these questions before even reading the poem.

Poll

What does the poem look like? Is it all one shape or different shapes?

• All one shape

• Different shapes

Read the Poem Out Loud

You'll need to hear the poem to answer these questions.

Maya Angelou

​A free bird leaps

on the back of the wind   

and floats downstream   

till the current ends

and dips his wing

in the orange sun rays

and dares to claim the sky.

​

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.

​

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.

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

​

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.

​

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

Multiple Choice

Is there rhyme?

• Yes

• No

Multiple Choice

Is there rhythm?

• Yes

• No

Poll

How does it sound pleasant or unpleasant?

• Pleasant

• Unpleasant

Open Ended

What is the mood?

Open Ended

What is the tone?

Multiple Choice

What is the speaker’s point of view?

• 1st Person

• 2nd Person

• 3rd Person

Find the Meaning of Words or Phrases

Authors, especially poets, put a lot of work into choosing the words to best convey their meaning. Make sure you understand why the author chose those words.

Multiple Choice

Is there repetition?

• Yes

• No

Open Ended

Do certain words stand out, which ones?

Open Ended

Do we need to find any definitions? Which words?

Reread the Poem Line by Line

Close readers always read more than once to make sure they understand the surface meaning as well as the deeper meaning.

Open Ended

What figurative language do you notice?

Open Ended

What images do you imagine?

Make a Connection

It's easier to make meaning from our reading if it is relevant to us and our lives.

Poll

What kind of connection might you be able to make?

• Text to Text

• Text to Self

• Text to World

Open Ended

What connection did you make? (at least 2 sentences)