Why does the narrator call Annie Henderson Momma?

Why does the narrator call Annie Henderson Momma?

Maya and Bailey’s paternal grandmother, Momma raises them for most of their childhood. Henderson, which cemented her elevated status in the mind of the black community. Similarly, Momma is the moral center of the family and especially of Maya’s life.

Who are the characters in I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings?

Primary charactersMarguerite Johnson (“Maya”)Annie Henderson (“Momma”)Bailey Johnson Jr.Uncle Willie.Vivian Baxter Johnson (“Mother Dear”)Bailey Johnson Sr.Mr. Freeman.Mrs. Bertha Flowers.

What is the caged bird a symbol of?

The caged bird of the book’s title symbolizes Maya, caged in by bars of racism, self-doubt, and lack of opportunities. In the Dunbar poem, “the caged bird sings for freedom,” just as Maya seeks freedom to follow her dreams.

What is the theme of the caged bird?

The principal theme of “Caged Bird” is freedom. Closely related to this theme are imprisonment and confinement—in other words, a lack of freedom.

What poetic devices are used in caged bird?

Poetic devices used in Maya Angelou’s poem “Caged Bird” include allegory, anthropomorphism, rhyme, metaphor, personification, mood, imagery, alliteration, and repetition.

Why does the caged bird sing unknown?

The caged bird is singing of freedom and hope. ‘Things unknown’ refers to the fact that the bird has never enjoyed freedom before and so has no idea as to what it tastes like. Though he is singing of freedom that he has longed for all his life, it is something completely unknown to him.

How does a free bird live his life?

As the poet depicts in the poem, the free bird floats on the back of the wind, dips his wings in the orange sun rays and claims the sky as his own. He thinks of another breeze through the trees and dreams of good eatables like fat worms waiting on bright lawn. He lives in a colourful, bright and dreamy world.

What is the difference between caged bird and free bird?

The caged bird, unlike the free bird, is completely immobilized—not only is the bird held captive in a cage, but its wings are clipped and its feet tied; thus, even if the bird were to escape his cage, he would still be unable to move or fly.

What type of poem is I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings?

This type of poem is more of a free verse poem or a ballad poem where a poem that tells a story and is meant to be sung or recited. This poem isn’t meant to be sun Because, but it has that effect on us. It helps the reader remember and helps get the meaning of the poem across.

Why does his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream?

By ‘his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream’, she wants to portray how pitiable and worse than any nightmare is the condition of a caged bird.

What is the meaning of grave of dreams?

Its dreams of being free and flying in the sky have been given up by it. This means its dreams are dead and the cage is the grave of its dreams. Grave which is symbolic to death shows that the caged bird has no scope in life of pursuing its dreams. The dreams are now looking as if they are unachievable.

What does his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream mean?

The caged bird’s “nightmare scream” gives an other worldly sense that, again, the cry will not be heard. The words “shadow” and “nightmare” evoke a dark outlook, where only the bird’s shadow or nightmares may escape the confines of the cage.

Why does the free bird thinks of another breeze?

The free bird thinks of another breeze because he is used to leading a life of ease. (ii) The caged bird had aspirations and desires to achieve something. But on account of his captivity, he was helpless. His dreams were sniffed and stifled.