Read the poem given below and answer the questions that follow:
I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings
By Maya Angelou
The free bird leaps
on the back of the wind
and floats downstream
till the current ends
and dips his wings
in the orange sun rays
and dares to claim the sky.
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 caged bird sings with fearful trill
of the things unknown but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill for the caged bird
sings of freedom
The free bird thinks of another breeze
and the trade winds soft through the sighing trees
and the fat worms waiting on a dawn-bright lawn
and he names the sky his own.
But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams
his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream
his wings are clipped and his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing
The caged bird sings with a fearful trill
of things unknown but longed for still
and his tune is heard on the distant hill
for 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?
