Read the stanza.
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.
–“Caged Bird,”
Maya Angelou
How does the poet develop the extended metaphor of the caged bird in the last two lines?
In the last two lines, the poet develops the extended metaphor of the caged bird by highlighting the bird's determination and resilience despite its confinement. Even though its wings are clipped and its feet are tied, it chooses to open its throat and sing. This emphasizes the bird's desire for freedom and expression, despite the limitations imposed upon it.
In the last two lines of the stanza, the poet develops the extended metaphor of the caged bird by emphasizing the bird's desire for freedom and expression. The phrase "so he opens his throat to sing" suggests that despite being trapped and limited by the cage, the bird finds solace and release in expressing itself through song. This implies that the caged bird's voice is a symbol of its resilience and determination to defy its confinement and be heard. The act of singing can be seen as a metaphor for expressing one's inner thoughts and emotions, highlighting the bird's longing for freedom and its refusal to be silenced.
To understand how the poet develops the extended metaphor of the caged bird in the last two lines, let's analyze the stanza.
The metaphor of the caged bird represents a sense of confinement and oppression. In the first four lines of the stanza, the poet describes the bird's physical limitations: "a bird that stalks / down his narrow cage / can seldom see through / his bars of rage." This imagery suggests that the bird is confined within a small and limiting space, unable to escape its anger and frustration.
Then, in the next two lines, the poet mentions that the bird's wings are clipped and its feet are tied. These lines emphasize the bird's complete lack of freedom and mobility. By clipping its wings and tying its feet, the bird is physically restrained, further emphasizing its captivity.
Finally, the last two lines, "so he opens his throat to sing," reveal how the bird copes with its confinement. Despite being trapped and restricted, the bird uses its voice as a form of expression. It opens its throat to sing, symbolizing its desire for freedom and the power of its spirit to transcend the physical constraints of its cage.
Overall, through this extended metaphor, the poet develops the theme of oppression and resilience. The caged bird represents individuals who are trapped or marginalized in society, facing limitations and restrictions. However, the bird's singing symbolizes their determination to find a voice and express themselves, even in the face of adversity. The last two lines highlight the bird's resistance to its circumstances and its refusal to be completely subdued.