Sympathy by Paul Laurence Dunbar

Questions and Answers

What does the line 'I know why the caged bird sings' suggest?

The speaker realizes what it is like to have no freedom.

Why is the bird not singing because he is happy?

The poet includes the words 'It is not a carol of joy or glee'.

What is most likely the reason for the poet's use of the dash punctuation mark?

To emphasize the pain by pausing at the end of the lines.

Which sentence from the selection best matches the feeling of despair?

Beats his wing till its blood is red on the cruel bars. Signup and view all the answers

What is the theme of 'Sympathy'?

Racism and the desire that like the bird, the speaker would someday be freed and not held back. Signup and view all the answers

What feeling does the line 'When the wind stirs through the springing grass' create?

Gentleness and calmness. Signup and view all the answers

What is the poem mostly about?

Feeling trapped by your circumstances, but still fighting for what you deserve. Signup and view all the answers

Which line infers that the speaker feels he has to keep trying and not give up?

And a pain still throbs in the old, old scars and they pulse again with a keener sting- Signup and view all the answers

What does the poet's use of words like grass/glass; steals/feels; wing/cling; sting/wing create?

The poem's rhythm. Signup and view all the answers

Which line best describes the speaker's feeling of hope of a 'what could be'?

For he must fly back to his perch and cling when he fain would be on the bough a-swing; Signup and view all the answers

Which line is symbolic of mountains?

When the sun is bright on the upload slopes. Signup and view all the answers

Which line uses a comparison of two things to show there is little movement?

And the river flows like a stream of glass. Signup and view all the answers

Which line includes an example of giving a non-human object human characteristics?

And the faint perfume from its chalice steals. Signup and view all the answers

Which line includes an alliteration?

When his wing is bruised and his boom sore-When he beats his bars and he would be free; Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Poem Summary and Themes

"I know why the caged bird sings" signifies the realization of the pain and lack of freedom experienced by the speaker.
The phrase "It is not a carol of joy or glee" indicates that the bird's song stems from suffering rather than happiness.

Poetic Devices

The use of dashes pauses the reader, emphasizing the emotional weight and pain expressed at the end of lines.
The line "Beats his wing till its blood is red on the cruel bars" conveys profound despair through vivid imagery.

Central Themes

Racism and the longing for freedom capture the essence of the poem, as the speaker correlates their struggle to that of the caged bird.
"Feeling trapped by your circumstances, but still fighting for what you deserve" encapsulates the overall message of resilience against oppression.

Imagery and Symbolism

Imagery like "when the wind stirs through the springing grass" creates contrasts of gentleness amidst turmoil.
The line "For he must fly back to his perch and cling when he fain would be on the bough a-swing" reflects the hope and yearning for a better existence.

Emotion and Resilience

The line "And a pain still throbs in the old, old scars and they pulse again with a keener sting" suggests ongoing struggle and the necessity to persist despite hardship.
The use of words that create rhythm—like "grass/glass" and "steals/feels"—enhances the poem's lyrical quality.

Symbolic References

"When the sun is bright on the upload slopes" symbolizes elevated hopes and aspirations akin to mountains.
The line "And the river flows like a stream of glass" employs simile to depict stagnation and lack of movement.

Personification and Literary Techniques

"And the faint perfume from its chalice steals" illustrates personification by attributing human-like qualities to a non-human element.
The phrase "When his wing is bruised and his boom sore" showcases alliteration, enhancing the poem's rhythm and emotional impact.

Description

Explore essential lines and concepts from Paul Laurence Dunbar's poem 'Sympathy' with these flashcards. Each card focuses on key phrases and their meanings, helping you understand the themes of freedom and pain portrayed in the poem.

Sympathy by Paul Laurence Dunbar - Flashcards