Another way the poet explores the theme of social injustice is by rhythm and enjambment. The rhythm in the first part of the poem is quick. It then slows in the second part of the poem. The slowing of the rhythm creates an anti-climax which indicates the lack of hope and irritation sensed by the caged bird. “A free bird leaps
on the back of the wind”, this is an example of enjambment which is used to quicken the pace in the first stanza.
Metaphor is an efficient way to explore the theme of social injustice in the poem. The poet stated that the “caged bird stands on the grave of dreams”. By using the word “grave”, he connotes to death. Therefore he means the death of dreams. The bird’s dream is to be free. As a result, the cage is the place responsible for the death of freedom. He also declared that “shadows shout on a nightmare scream”. By using the word “shadows”, he represents the imprisonment. In addition, the bird is caged therefore; its song has become a nightmare scream.
Imagery is also a technique used by the poet to explore the theme of social injustice. The poem evokes images about a caged bird and a free bird. The brutal use of the word “throat” and the use of other sharp words like “fear”, “cage” and “grave”, is to indicate the situation of the caged bird. Contradictory, the poet uses soft words related to nature like “sky”, “leap” and “sun’s rays” to illustrate the situation of the free bird. Moreover, nature is used to symbolize freedom.
Finally, the whole metaphor is a vey effective way to explore the theme of social injustice. The caged bird represents black people, whilst the free bird represents white people. Black people where segregated or “caged” off from the white. In addition, the cage is symbolizing the laws and rules applied on the blacks by the white.
In conclusion, I think that the poet effectively explored the theme of social injustice and indicated the situation of her race by applying different techniques. One way is by creating rhyme and half rhyme. Secondly, is by using enjambment and rhythm. Another way is by using metaphors and imagery. And last but not least, is by the literal meaning of the whole metaphor.
Written by: Fajer A.