Word Choice and Extended Metaphor in a Poem by Maya Angelou

Question 1

Consider the extended metaphor of the caged bird. Then, choose the figurative meaning of each quotation from the poem.

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“But a bird that stalks / down his narrow cage / can seldom see through / his bars of rage”: The caged bird is so angry about his lack of freedom that it is all he can think about.; “The caged bird sings / with a fearful trill / of things unknown / but longed for still”: The caged bird desires freedom, even though he has never experienced it.

Question 2

What did you include in your response? Check all that apply.

Revolt · Accepted Answer

The free bird is a metaphor for a free person.; The caged bird is a metaphor for an oppressed person.; Angelou supports each extended metaphor by comparing the birds.; Angelou uses the metaphors to create strong feelings in the reader.

Question 3

✔ limitlesssmalllonely

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✔ limitless; The connotative meaning of sky is “ .”: limitless; The connotative meaning of narrow is “ .”: limited; The connotative meaning of dreams is “ .”: hopes and desires; The connotative meaning of shadow is “ .”: who a person once was

Question 4

expansivecomfortable✔ limited

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✔ limited

Question 5

fears and worries✔ hopes and desiressorrows and aspirations

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✔ hopes and desires

Question 6

✔ who a person once waswho a person wants to bea person’s nightmares

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✔ who a person once was

Question 7

fearfultune✔ distant

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✔ distant; Which word has a connotative meaning of “sad and lonely”?: distant; The connotative meaning of this word gives the poem a feeling of .: hopeless yearning

Question 8

cheerful ambition✔ hopeless yearningendless energy

Revolt · Accepted Answer

✔ hopeless yearning

Question 9

he wants to own the skyhe thinks the sky can be bought✔ he says the sky belongs to him

Revolt · Accepted Answer

✔ he says the sky belongs to him; The literal meaning of “he names the sky his own” is “ .”: he says the sky belongs to him; The figurative meaning of “he names the sky his own” is “ .”: he can go anywhere he wants; The figurative meaning helps the reader understand that people who have freedom can .: achieve whatever they want

Question 10

run away from problems✔ achieve whatever they wantlive without regard for others

Revolt · Accepted Answer

✔ achieve whatever they want

Word Choice and Extended Metaphor in a Poem by Maya Angelou Answers

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