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Read the poem given below and answer the questions that follow: I Know Why The Caged Bird SingsBy Maya AngelouThe free bird leapson the back of the windand floats downstreamtill the current endsand dips his wingsin the orange sun raysand dares to claim the sky.But a bird that stalks down his narrow cagecan seldom see through his bars of ragehis wings are clipped and his feet are tiedso he opens his throat to sing.The caged bird sings with fearful trillof the things unknown but longed for stilland his tune is heardon the distant hill for the caged birdsings of freedom The free bird thinks of another breezeand the trade winds soft through the sighing treesand the fat worms waiting on a dawn-bright lawnand he names the sky his own.But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreamshis shadow shouts on a nightmare screamhis wings are clipped and his feet are tiedso he opens his throat to sing The caged bird sings with a fearful trillof things unknown but longed for stilland his tune is heard on the distant hillfor the caged bird sings of freedom.On the basis of your reading of the poem, answer the following questions in 50-60 words each. (a)  What is the grave of dreams and why does a caged bird stand on it? (b)  Why does a bird that stalks down his narrow cage can seldom see through his bars of rage? (c)  Who are referred to as free bird and caged bird in the poem? Why? (d)  Is the situation of the caged bird relevant to the contemporary times? 

Answer»

(a)  the bird has no freedom, its feet are tied, wings are clipped, its dreams are unachievable, it has given up on the dream of flying freely, its dreams are now ‘dead’…hence, it stands on its dead dreams now.

(b)  tight cage, with bars, heavily guarded, can hardly view the outside of the cage, due to its anger and frustration at being imprisoned, it doesn’t see beyond the cage.

(c)  free bird - free individual, free to live life on own terms caged bird – oppressed, subjugated individuals, deprived of freedom

(d)  yes, victims of political and social injustice, women not allowed full freedom to pursue dreams and ambitions, people ill treated based on social class and ethnicity



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