Question

making connections with \caged bird\

but a bird that stalks
down his narrow cage
can seldom see through
his bars of rage
his wings are clipped and
his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing.

• \caged bird,\

maya angelou

read the second stanza of the poem. then, answer the questions to make connections between the autobiography and the poem.

what is the only act of freedom the caged bird has?

what does marguerite do when she begins to feel free?
eats cookies
speaks
goes to the store

Explanation:

Analyze the first question

Using the Poetry Analysis and Reading Comprehension knowledge points, we examine the provided second stanza of Maya Angelou's poem "Caged Bird":
"But a bird that stalks
down his narrow cage
can seldom see through
his bars of rage
his wings are clipped and
his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing."

The stanza describes the bird's physical confinement: its cage is narrow, its view is blocked by "bars of rage," its wings are clipped, and its feet are tied. The only action left that is not physically restricted is when "he opens his throat to sing." Therefore, singing is the only act of freedom the caged bird has.

Analyze the second question

Using the Comparative Text Analysis knowledge point, we connect the poem to Maya Angelou's autobiography, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. In the autobiography, Marguerite (Maya) has spent years in a state of self-imposed silence after experiencing trauma. When Mrs. Flowers helps her reconnect with literature and her own voice, Marguerite begins to feel free and finally speaks again. Looking at the dropdown options:

• "eats cookies"
• "speaks"
• "goes to the store"

The correct action representing her freedom and voice is "speaks."

Answer:

Question 1

• singing (Correct answer)

Question 2

• eats cookies
• speaks (Correct answer)
• goes to the store