Available Answers

1. 1.

   Complete the summary of the poem given below by filling in the blanks. Choose words from the box:

   The poem ______1______ of the kinds of birds. One, a ______2______ birds, and the other, a ______3______ bird. The free bird _______4______ every aspect of the other, a ______5______, the rays of the _______6______ or the clear ______7______. The caged bird, on the other hand, is _______8_______ to its narrow cage. His wings are _______9_______ a nd feet, denied of all _______10______. He sings a _______11______ song of ______12______ things, for he ______13_____ for freedom.

   free	chipped	streams	unknown	talks
   sun	longs	caged	enjoys	wind
   	tied	freedom	sad

    

2. 2.

   Read, understand and write down the information required.

   1. The poem is said to be an extended metaphor, where the 'caged bird' refers to the segregated people of the society and the 'free bird' refers to the people who are not prejudiced against, on the basis of caste/colour. The last stanza is a repetition of the third stanza. this shows the depth of oppression and the struggle and desperation of the segregated community.
      Find out about one such segregated community and write about it.
   2. The poem is filled with imagery.
      Imagery is a poetic technique where the words paint a visual picture.
      Foe example: the winter evening settle down.
      Pick out examples of imagery from this poem.
   3. The poem is filled with transferred epithets. A transferred Epithet is an adjective that qualifies the noun instead of the person/object it is describing.
      For example: the weary road.
      Pick out examples of transferred epithet from this poem.
3. 3.

   What does the bird hope and yearn for?
4. 4.

   How has the poet highlighted the agony of the bird?
5. 5.

   What does the caged bird symbolise?
6. 6.

   How has the poet brought out the constricted and restricted life of the oppresses through the cage?