Write four to six sentences explaining the use of extended metaphor in the poem "Caged Bird” by Maya Angelou.

Answer:

In Maya Angelou’s poem "Caged Bird," the author uses an extended metaphor to contrast the lives of free and oppressed people. The free bird represents individuals who enjoy liberty and opportunity, illustrated by its ability to "leap on the back of the wind." In contrast, the caged bird serves as a metaphor for people who are marginalized and confined by systemic barriers and inequality. By describing the bird's "clipped wings" and "tied feet," Angelou emphasizes the physical and legal constraints of oppression. This metaphor is further extended through the bird's song, which symbolizes the enduring hope and resilience of the human spirit even in captivity.