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

The connotative meaning of sky is “[___] .”

expansivecomfortable✔ limited

fears and worries✔ hopes and desiressorrows and aspirations

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

fearfultune✔ distant

The literal meaning of “he names the sky his own” is “ .” The figurative meaning of “he names the sky his own” is “ .” The figurative meaning helps the reader understand that people who have freedom can .

The caged bird does not see very well, especially when he is angry.✔ The caged bird is so angry about his lack of freedom that it is all he can think about.The caged bird wants to sing instead of being locked in a cage.

What can the reader better understand about the caged bird after having read about the free bird?

cheerful ambition✔ hopeless yearningendless energy

he is alonehe has nowhere else to go✔ he can go anywhere he wants

The caged bird prefers singing to being free.The caged bird fears freedom because he only knows oppression.✔ The caged bird desires freedom, even though he has never experienced it.

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

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

✔ limitlesssmalllonely

cheerful ambition✔ hopeless yearningendless energy

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

he is alonehe has nowhere else to go✔ he can go anywhere he wants

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

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

The caged bird prefers singing to being free.The caged bird fears freedom because he only knows oppression.✔ The caged bird desires freedom, even though he has never experienced it.