Sympathy by Paul Laurence Dunbar

Which of the following identifies the central theme of the poem?

• Freedom can be achieved as long as you fight hard enough for it.

• No one can live a full or happy life if they are denied freedom.

• Birds specifically cannot be denied freedom due to their need to fly,

• With enough tie, any person will lose the pull they feel towards freedom.

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What is the meaning of "fain" in line 11

• prefer to

• hate to

• pretend to

• refuse to

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Which detail from the text best supports your understanding of the meaning of "fain" in line 11?

• "I know why the caged bird beats his wing" (line 8)

• "Till its blood is red on the cruel bars;" (line 9)

• "For he must fly back to his perch and cling" (line 10)

• "But a plea, that upward to Heaven he flings--" (line 20)

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Based on what you know about the author, who or what does the "caged bird" represent?

• people who do not express themselves or their emotions

• African-Americans following the Civil War

• women

• children

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What is the overall message of stanza 1?

• Birds wish to be free to enjoy nature.

• Nature is beautiful and should be enjoyed.

• People enjoy being out in the sunshine and beauty of nature.

• Oppressed people desire the true freedom of comfortable living and prosperity.

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When the poet says the "I know why the caged bird beats his wing...", what is he referencing?

• Sometimes, oppressed people rebel and protest the injustice of their situation.

• Birds who want to be free often flap their wings in annoyance.

• People often conflict when they do not feel free to be themselves.

• Sometimes oppressed people are hurt by their oppressors.

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What are the "old scars" the poet mentions in line 12?

• wounds from trying to escape the cage

• a reference to slavery and scars left by oppressive masters and the practice of slavery itself

• emotional wounds left by abuse and pain

• actual wounds left by the war

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What aspect of African-American culture is the poet referencing when he says "I know why the caged bird sings..." in stanza 3?

• It is the voice of African-Americans heard through protests.

• It is the sounds birds make when they actually want to escape even though it sounds beautiful.

• It is a reference to music in general.

• It is a reference to African-American spirituals, songs sung to express a desire for freedom and deliverance from oppression.

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What is the significance of the title "Sympathy"?

• It shows how the poet feels bad for birds who are stuck in cages.

• It explains the feeling the poet has for people.

• It explains the poet's purpose--to evoke sympathy for the plight of African-Americans following the Civil War.

• It explains the poet's purpose--to evoke sympathy for all oppressed people around the world.

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How did Maya Angelou take inspiration from "Sympathy" by Paul Laurence Dunbar?

• She expanded the concept of the "caged bird" to apply to individuals who need freedom to express themselves and enjoy life.

• She expanded the concept of the "caged bird" to apply to all oppressed people.

• She expanded the concept of the "caged bird" to apply specifically to women.

• There is really no evidence that she was inspired by Dunbar's poem.

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