Read the passage from “The Caged Bird.”

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.

The last line in this stanza indicates a tone of
.

defiance and resilience.

resilience or defiance

The last line in this stanza indicates a tone of resilience and defiance. The speaker describes how despite being trapped and restricted, the caged bird "opens his throat to sing." This suggests that the bird refuses to be silenced or defeated by its circumstances, highlighting a sense of inner strength and determination. The tone can be interpreted as powerful and rebellious, emphasizing the bird's refusal to be held captive in body and spirit.