मराठी

Why Does the Caged Bird Stand on the “Grave of Dreams?” - English 2 (Literature in English)

Advertisements
Advertisements

प्रश्न

Why does the caged bird stand on the “grave of dreams?”

थोडक्यात उत्तर
Advertisements

उत्तर

Maya Angelou creates a vivid image with the line “But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams.” This is a death image. The hopes and dreams of a whole race of people are dead.
Angelou uses the images of a free bird and a caged bird to compare the lives of those who are free to create their own destiny, and those who are oppressed based on their race. Those who are oppressed have hopes and dreams but they are unattainable not because the people are incapable, but because they are born as people of color. She goes on to say that the bird, representing the oppressed people, lives with its feet “tied” and wings “clipped,” which renders it devoid of choices to better its situation. In spite of the dire circumstances, the bird chooses to sing. In other words, its spirit will not be broken.

shaalaa.com
Writing Skills
  या प्रश्नात किंवा उत्तरात काही त्रुटी आहे का?
पाठ 1.07: I Know why the Caged Bird Sings - Project

APPEARS IN

संबंधित प्रश्‍न

How does the poet use the contrast between the two birds to reveal racism in America?


They have to go to bed early every night. They are allowed to stay update on Saturdays. 


Choose two of the passages (a) to (c) and answer briefly the questions that follow:

Raina :

Come away from the window (She takes him firmly back to the middle of the room. The moment she releases him he turns mechanically towards the window again. She seizes him and turns him back, exclaiming) Please! (He becomes motionless, like a hypnotized rabbit, his fatigue gaining fast on him. She releases him, and addresses him patronizingly). Now listen. You must trust to our hospitality. You do not yet know in whose house you are. I am a Petkoff. 

The Man: A pet what? 

Raina : [rather indignantly] I mean that I belong to the family of the Petkoffs, the richest and best known in our country. 

The Man: Oh yes, of course. I beg your pardon. The Petkoffs, to be sure. How stupid of me! 

Raina: You know you never heard of them until this moment. How can you stoop to pretend! 

The Man: Forgive me. I'm too tired to think, and the change of subject was too much for me. Don't scold me.

(i) Why did the man keep turning to the window? 
(ii)
Which examples of the social superiority of the Petkoff's does Raina give the man?
(iii)
Which opera does Raina mention? With whom does she compare herself? What does this tell you about her? 
(iv)
In Raina's opinion, what should the man have done instead of threatening her? 
(v)
What does the man tell Raina about his father? Why does he do so? 
(vi) 
What does the man do at the end of the scene? 


Join the following sentence to make one complete sentence without using and, but or so. 

My grandfather is very old. He is very active.


Discuss with your partners

The manner you adopt when you talk about a teacher to other teachers.


Your teacher will speak the word given below. Write against two new words that rhyme with it.
chop ______ ______


'Seems to touch the starry skies'. The poet has used word imagery. Describe the idea and pick out other similar examples from the poem.


Create a poster for the following.

Say ‘No to Drugs’ – Design a poster for it is not more than 50 words. You may use slogans/ phrases.


Use the above map to answer the questions.

  1. What does the dotted line on the map show?
  2. What road would Ajay take to get to the boat club?
  3. What building is next to the picnic area?
  4. What road passes by Ajay’s house?
  5. What other way could Ajay use to get from his house to his grandmother’s house?

Now write:

Use verbs like go, turn, cross

Use prepositions like: across, between, in front of, beside, near, behind, and write how you get home from school.


Find out when the International Day of Friendship is celebrated.


Share
Notifications

Englishहिंदीमराठी


      Forgot password?
Use app×