Multicultural
Literature Activity
Maymester 2002
Judy Walker
Young Adult
Literature Activity
I Know Why
the Caged Bird Sings
By Maya
Angelou
Without
naming the author, open with Angelou’s version of the poem
"I Know Why
The Caged Bird Sings"
A
free bird leaps on the back of the wind
and
floats downstream till the current ends
and
dips his wing in the orange suns 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 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.
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.
Discussion Question
(in groups of 4):
1. Do you think the person that wrote this poem
is a free or caged bird? Why?
Listen to the first
4 ˝ minutes of Diane Rehm show where Angelou reads the original version of the
poem and then her own. <http://www.wamu.org/dr/shows/drarc_020408.html>
Teacher Comments:
Maya
Angelou was born in 1928 in St. Louis but was raised in rural Arkansas. She has
written 6 autobiographies, beginning with I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,
published in 1970. She has recently published the last one, A Song Flung up
to Heaven. Although she is, to you students, an old woman in her 70s, her
early life is one which many of you could understand. She was raped at age 8 by
her mother’s boyfriend. He was found murdered the next day. Maya said, “I
thought my voice had killed a man and if I spoke it might just go out and kill
any body. So, I stopped speaking for almost 6 years. But I read. I read
everything“ (Rehm interview).
Additionally, her parents divorced when she was very young. They sent
her to live with her grandmother in Arkansas. Without warning, a few years
later, her dad came to get her again and took her to her mother, whom she had
entirely forgotten. The part of the book we’re going to read is from after she
has been raped, then sent back to live with her grandmother in Arkansas.
Read aloud the
section of Caged Bird where Maya is describing her commencement from 8th
grade (page numbers vary according to edition).
After
reading, pause for a moment for thought. Ask for comments.
Follow-up activity:
How
does Maya’s reaction to the commencement address intertwine with the imagery of
being a caged bird?
Answer
this question using one of the following mediums, being sure to tie the
metaphors of caged bird and Negro student intricately into your work:
1. Using individual artwork, create a poster
expressing the feelings of the bird and the students.
2. Write an original poem or an essay which
expresses your answer.
3. Create a short multi-media production which
expresses your reaction.
Additional
Resources:
Official
Website:
The
English Page on Maya Angelou:
http://www.educeth.ch/english/readinglist/angeloum/index.html
University
of Cincinnati web page:
http://asweb.artsci.uc.edu/worldfest/about.html
Interview
with Diane Rehm: