Caging the Bird
"I Know why the Caged Bird Sings," written by Maya Angelou, depicts the feelings of African Americans in a white society. Some blacks feel as if they have been caged by a white society and have no chance of making it in this society. Maya Angelou could have let these feelings of being considered inferior rule her life. Instead, she had to strive harder to become the amazing black woman she is today. Maya Angelou was born in St. Louis, Missouri in 1928. She is an African American author, poet, and entertainer best known for her portrayals of a strong African American woman. She was raised by her grandmother in rural segregated Arkansas. Because she was a black woman raised in the South, she witnessed racial prejudice and inequalities one can only imagine today. This discrimination prompted her to be an avid civil rights activist. Many of her writings stress themes of courage, perseverance, self-acceptance, and the realization of one's full potential. These themes regard obstacles that she overcame in her own life, and she hopes they will enhance the lives' of her readers (A Song). "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings," speaks of a free bird leaping on the back of the wind and floating downstream to the
The free bird has a life much easier than that of a caged bird. The ideas expressed in the poem "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings," are not entirely justified, but there needs to be a change made in our society quickly. She keeps dying because she loves living (Oh Pray). Maya has many poems that adhere to this same opinion. Reading this poem made me glad that I am white, and that I have never had to endure racial prejudice or discrimination. These themes regard obstacles that she overcame in her own life, and she hopes they will enhance the lives' of her readers (A Song). She keeps dying because she loves living (Oh Pray). Maya Angelou believes that blacks are caged in American society. In "The Lesson," another of her poems dealing with this subject, Maya explains that she keeps dying. Her poem "Still I Rise," is an example of such a poem. The caged bird stands on a grave of dreams, and his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream. This discrimination prompted her to be an avid civil rights activist. There is another statement that says the free bird thinks of another breeze and names the sky his own. Even though the years of cold defeat live deep in the lines along her face, she keeps dying.
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Acceptance Essays
