The Handmaids Tale By Margaret Atwood

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is a memoir written by Maya Angelou, discussing her life after being sent, by her mother, to her grandmother at three years old with her brother. As a child, she was a witness and a victim of the atrocities of society. Throughout this book, the readers will see many types of tone in many different parts of the story while reading.

“The free bird thinks of another breeze….a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams…” The two literary works “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” by Maya Angelou and Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird” can be seen as mockingbirds that have flown over fields of prejudice and repeat what they have seen for all to hear. Jem Finch, a young boy and lawyer’s son from “To Kill a Mockingbird” clearly symbolizes a mockingbird because of his youth and innocence, and because of his innocence he cannot fully understand the racism in the story. Jem also has many similarities to the caged and free birds in “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings”, whether it be Jem’s

“I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” depicts two birds which are used as metaphors to express the state in which the two classes of people live. In one description the poem describes the standard of living of a bird of privilege which alludes to the lives of whites. Then it describes caged birds whom of which are crying out for freedom, and are meant to represent African Americans during this time. It describes the feeling of being trapped and calling out for

The memoir I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is an autobiography written by Maya Angelou as she grew up in the mid-20th century, where being a black girl and facing racial issues in society, had to overcome many problems that show the larger issue of the time period. I chose this book over the other nineteen memoirs because of the strong recommendations I received from my fellow class mates, and because of my interest in racial issues during the terrible times of segregation. Life was not fair, and Maya Angelou had to face a lot during the 30’s and 40’s in order to try to live a normal lifestyle and become a confident person. Maya shares her story with us to increase our knowledge of racism, prejudice, unequal treatment of women, and sexual

In Maya Angelou’s poem, “Caged Bird”, She explains how a bird is trapped inside of a cage and can not escape from thick metal bars that hold it back. It imagines and signs of having freedom. People believe this is about a bird, but what if it isn’t. I believe that this is talking about a person who can’t make the decision if they want to keep fighting to do free.The bird can’t decide if it wants to fight to soon wear the bars of the cage down so it can finally fly away aswell or to give up and use its voice and

“But a caged bird stands on a grave of dreams... His wings are clipped and his feet are tied/so he opens his throat to sing…” (M.A 26-29). This quote describes the birds emotions as it loses its dreams, it doesn't lose its hope so it repeatedly sings hoping it will reach a bird for assistance. It also portrays a very positive them as the reader figures out that its perseverance pays off. “...and his tune is heard/on the distant hill…”(M.A 19-20). This is validating the fact that the bird’s prayers have successfully been retrieved and help is nearer than it has been thought.

In the novel The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood, the dystopian society of Gileadean society is described. The role of women and the oppression of women by men cannot be missed while reading the novel. Due to the dropping fertility rates, fertile women are trained to be a Handmaid by the Aunts in the Red Center. The job of the Handmaid is to conceive a baby with the Commander, so the Commander and the Wife can nurture the child. Atwood uses the oppression of women in the Gileadean society to show her thoughts about the danger of historic events and the developments in society nowadays. The novel projects the struggle of Offred, who is a Handmaid herself, against the totalitarian restriction of her society and her desire for happiness and

‘And his tune is heard on the distant hill’ means that even though the bird continues as a prisoner, someone manages to listen to his melody; many even hear it from far away. ‘For the caged bird sings of freedom’, the final line of the stanza, establishes what the bird sings about, he wants freedom. Most of the African-American literature consisted on the horrors of slavery and segregation, and it lasted up to the 60’s (racism stayed as relevant during present-day but slavery and segregation are outlawed); many writers even doubled as civil activists. Despite this, people consider their literature as masterpieces nowadays. They represent the caged bird, with their opportunities limited and a free world they could only dream of. However, their voices managed to get heard and their pleas received answers. They managed to get allies throughout the world to help them in their

The bird has been though a lot. He has been restricted from all his freedom and beat itself all up. The caged bird doesn’t know anything but sadness, it is all it has experienced. In the poem the writer says, “When he beats his bars and he would be free; It is not a carol of joy or glee,” making us think it is a sad song. It is in fact a prayer that it is sending to heaven.

In Maya Angelou’s I know why the caged Bird Sings Maya goes from being a very young and sporadic girl to a loving and nurturing mother. Throughout Maya’s life she goes through many trials and tribulations. By finding refuge and strength in her family she surpasses racism, rape, and displacement issues.

In the novel, The Handmaid’s Tale, by feminist Margaret Atwood, she creates a patriarchal dystopian society to create fear of a possible modern day sexist society. A common theme that is repeated within The Handmaid’s Tale

With the storytelling of her past and present experiences she is able to escape reality by letting out her internal angers and frustrations. She uses storytelling as an outlet of release and relief from how she is treated in Gilead. As Atwood states, "I'll pretend you can hear me. But it's no good, because I know you can't" (40). Even though she feels as though no one will be able to hear what she is saying about Gilead, she still continues on storytelling acting like she has an audience because she is able to express and cope with her feelings by it. She literally can’t share her stories while she is in Gilead, but she mentally prepares them. Just the thought and hope of one day being able to tell her story is enough for her to maintain sanity throughout Gilead. For example Hansot states from her article that “Offred’s reviewing of her past and present is moral and intellectual-exercise as well as an exercise in survival” (59). She has something of value to grasp hold to: a story. The possibility of sharing her stories to others and letting them know what she went through gives her a goal. Her goal gives her the will to survive. In the Historical Notes part

The mood of “Caged Bird” changes drastically from stanza to stanza. Angelou’s specific diction choices help to reflect the change from being positive to negative with some elements of hope involved. The parts of the poem involving the free bird provide the reader with a feeling of self government.In contrast, the mood associated with the caged bird is confinment. Despite the negative mood tied to the caged bird there are still elements of hope woven into these stanzas.

I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings is a novel by Maya Angelou, where she writes about her childhood and her experiences while growing up. This non-fiction novel illustrates Maya Angelou’s childhood, being tossed around by her parents, and having to experience different cultures. Maya struggles particularly in finding friends, she is reserved, and will only open up to Bailey, her brother. Maya moves a couple of times to different places, which may contribute to her not having friends. The novel revolves around Maya Angelou, Bailey, and her grandmother, evolving through life from being a child to a teenager. This novel is set in the “South”, in America.

In the last stanza, the caged bird’s song symbolises the emotions and cries of freedom. The combination of the two represents that there is a need for every child to reach their full potential. Something that cannot be achieved with helicopter parenting and the barriers placed upon them.