The key answer of exercise 4
The key to exercise solutions in chapter 12 - Culture and competences for the textbook Performer B1, Vol. 2 with authors Marina Spiazzi, Marina Tavella e Margaret Layton from Zanichelli
Question
Complete the table with words and phrases from the poem referring to the free bird and the caged bird. What does each symbolise?
Answer
- The free bird: In the first stanza Maya Angelou describes the ‘free bird’ by using verbs like ‘leaps’, ‘floats’, ‘dips’. The free bird enjoys the breeze, the trees, the winds, the lawn, the sky, and the fat worms. It is a symbol of freedom and these well chosen verbs contain joy and energy - this is also a hint for us to discover how Maya Angelou feels about freedom.
- The caged bird: In the second and third stanza the poet goes on to describe the ‘caged bird’ by using words like ‘bars of rage’,‘grave’, ‘fearful’, ‘shadow’. The caged bird with his wings still clipped and his feet still tied continues, nevertheless, to open his throat and sing. These words are references to isolation and they are disturbing compared with the words for freedom. This method of contrast that Maya Angelou uses throughout the poem is powerful and highlights the comfort of freedom and shows how the poet achieves a better understanding of freedom by comparing it with something worse.
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