I know what the caged bird feels, alas!When the sun is bright on the upland slopes;When the wind stirs soft through the springing grass,And the river flows like a stream of glass;When the first bird sings and the first bud opes,And the faint perfume from its chalice steals—I know what the caged bird feels!I know why the caged bird beats his wingTill its blood is red on the cruel bars;For he must fly back to his perch and clingWhen he fain would be on the bough a-swing;And a pain still throbs in the old, old scarsAnd they pulse again with a keener sting—I know why he beats his wing!I know why the caged bird sings, ah me,When his wing is bruised and his bosom sore,—When he beats his bars and he would be free;It is not a carol of joy or glee,But a prayer that he sends from his heart’s deep core,But a plea, that upward to Heaven he flings—I know why the caged bird sings!15Select the correct answer.What is the mood of the poem? A. compassionate B. melancholic C. regretful D. alarmed

Read "Sympathy" by Paul Laurence Dunbar. Then, answer the question that follows.I know what the caged bird feels, alas!When the sun is bright on the upland slopes;When the wind stirs soft through the springing grass,And the river flows like a stream of glass;When the first bird sings and the first bud opes, [5]And the faint perfume from its chalice steals—I know what the caged bird feels!I know why the caged bird beats his wingTill its blood is red on the cruel bars;For he must fly back to his perch and cling [10]When he fain would be on the bough a-swing;And a pain still throbs in the old, old scarsAnd they pulse again with a keener sting—I know why he beats his wing!I know why the caged bird sings, ah me,When his wing is bruised and his bosom sore,—When he beats his bars and he would be free;It is not a carol of joy or glee,But a prayer that he sends from his heart's deep core,But a plea, that upward to Heaven he flings—I know why the caged bird sings!Which sound device does Dunbar utilize in the bolded lines? Alliteration End rhyme Internal rhyme Repetition

What can the caged bird be a symbol of? Explain.

How does the title of the poem, "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings," relate to the themes and emotions conveyed in the poem?

Why do you think the poet presents the free bird before depicting the caged bird?    *10 pointsTo further minimize the caged birdto establish a contrast between the two birds and their respective experience and create a vivid image of what life without constraints looks liketo emphasize the importance of the free bird

Describe the contrasting imagery of the caged bird and the free bird in the poem. How does this imagery symbolize different aspects of life and freedom?