I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings Poetry Analysis

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.

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.

In the first stanza of the poem the writer talks about the life of a free bird but in the second stanza she talks about a caged bird. The technique being used in this instance is ______

• contrast

• comparison

• simile

• personification

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.8

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

The grave of dreams represents

• where the bird will die

• a feeling of hopelessness

• the possibility for the future

• a feeling of ignorance

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.8

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

The grave of dreams represents

• where the bird will die

• a feeling of hopelessness

• the possibility for the future

• a feeling of ignorance

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.8

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

The free bird demonstrates freedom and power when it

• stalks down its narrow cage

• sings with a fearful trill

• shouts on a nightmare scream

• claims the sky

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.8

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

What is the best example of personification?

• the trade winds soft through the sighing breeze

• orange sun's rays

• his wings are clipped and his feet are tied

• the caged bird looks through bars of rage

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.8

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

The caged bird represents

• an animal who is locked up

• the hope of the future

• the loss of freedom and choice

• ignorance

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.8

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

Why does the caged bird sing?

• because it enjoys singing

• because that is what birds do

• because it has to find a way to express his pain

• because he is calling to another bird

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.8

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

The first stanza is meant to show

• the cages bird's feelings of despair and hopelessness

• the beauty of the sun's rays

• the thrill of being free to live your life as you please

• how a bird flies free and claims the sky

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.8

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

How is caged bird an extended metaphor?

• the caged bird is a metaphor to show the feelings of hopelessness of someone who has lost their freedom.

• Maya is using figurative language to create an image for the reader of a bird in a cage.

• the caged bird does not name the sky or claim the sky for his own.

• the free bird is a metaphor and a symbol of freedom

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.8

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

What is an extended metaphor?

• when two unlike things are compared using like or as

• a reference to a literary work such as the Bible

• when two unlike things are compared and the comparison extends past one line of poetry or text

• another name for figurative language

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.7

CCSS.RI.11-12.7

CCSS.RL.11-12.7

CCSS.RL.8.7

CCSS.RL.9-10.7