Please help!!!

[magelvs.livejournal.com]

I have to write a paper for school analyzing the poem “Caged Bird” by Maya Angelou. I have to write an essay explaining why people, like the caged bird, long for the unknown. Can anybody help me? I’d really appreciate it.



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.

Comments

[seamusd.livejournal.com]

No, you have to do your own work.

[mychopsticks.livejournal.com]

I agree.

[kaethe.livejournal.com]

Why not ask yourself that question? If you're in school--high school or college--you're almost automatically on the verge of a pretty big 'unknown': what you're going to do afterward. Is it frightening? Is it something you long for/look forward to? Can you relate to the emotions the bird is feeling? Try starting there and see where you get.