Discuss the Ways the Poet Explores the Theme of Social Injustice in Caged Bird

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Fajer A.        Social Injustice in “Caged Bird”

Discuss the Ways the Poet Explores the Theme of Social Injustice in “Caged Bird”

        “Caged Bird” is a poem written by the Southern Black woman “Maya Angelou” in the 20th century. In this essay, I will discuss the ways the poet explores the theme of social injustice in this poem.

        One of the ways the poet explores the theme of social injustice in this poem is by using rhyme and half rhyme. In this poem, there is no regular rhyme scheme. Some lines rhyme for emphasis like “breeze” and “trees”, “dreams” and “scream”. However, a jarring effect occurs and breaks up the feelings of the bird song because he is singing while he is caged. This happens as a result of half rhyme where the reader thinks there should be rhyme and there isn’t, like “sing” and “cage”.

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        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 ...

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