2. Background of the Poet
Name Maya Angelou
Born 4 April 1928
St. Louis, Missouri, US
Occupation Poet, civil rights activist,
dancer, film producer,
television producer,
playwright, film director,
author, actress, professor
Ethnic African American
Literary Movement Civil Rights
Notable Works I know why the caged bird
sings, On the Pulse of
Morning

3. Poem: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
(Stanza 1)
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.

4. Poem: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
(Stanza 2)
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.

5. Poem: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
(Stanza 3)
The caged bird sings
with fearful trill
of the things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged bird
sings of freedom

6. Poem: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
(Stanza 4)
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.

7. Poem: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
(Stanza 5)
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

8. Poem: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
(Stanza 6)
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.

9. 1. Freedom
The caged bird can be interpreted as the black
race being held back from freedom by their skin
color. They are the repressed African Americans
who are both literally and figuratively caged and
unable to spread their wings and meet their full
potential. They dream of freedom. The
repetition of the word "freedom" is also used to
highlight the rights of every American citizen.

10. 2. Inequality/Racism
The oppressing effects of racism and segregation
in America deprives the black community of
something America upholds with pride. The
blacks were treated as a second class citizens.
They are not trapped within a literal cage, but
they are trapped in their own skin. Much like
their ancestors who crossed the ocean in slave
ships, blacks were branded as an inferior race.
The inequality has led to frustration and
restriction.

11. American Slavery

12. Racism in America

14. Tutorial – Group Activity
• Pick the most important word/ line/ image/
object in the poem and explain on the choice
– support with examples (present as poster)

20. Tutorial – Writing Task
Identify the elements in the poem and write about the following:
1. Speaker/Persona
2. Point of View
3. Tone/Mood
4. Style (rhyme scheme)
5. Language
6. Theme
7. Poetic devices
a. Alliteration
b. Metaphor
c. Personification
d. Symbolism
e. Repetition
* Which element/device create the greatest effect within the poem?