Question

Sympathy
BY PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR

I know what the caged bird feels, alas!
When the sun is bright on the upland slopes;
When the wind stirs soft through the springing grass,
And the river flows like a stream of glass;
When the first bird sings and the first bud opes,
And the faint perfume from its chalice steals—
I know what the caged bird feels!

I know why the caged bird beats his wing
Till its blood is red on the cruel bars;
For he must fly back to his perch and cling
When he fain would be on the bough a-swing;
And a pain still throbs in the old, old scars
And they pulse again with a keener sting—
I know why he beats his wing!

I know why the caged bird sings, ah me,
When his wing is bruised and his bosom sore,—
When he beats his bars and he would be free;
It is not a carol of joy or glee,
But a prayer that he sends from his heart’s deep core,
But a plea, that upward to Heaven he flings—
I know why the caged bird sings!

PART A: Which of the following identifies the central theme of the poem?

A) Freedom can be achieved as long as you fight hard enough for it.

B) No one can live a full or happy life if they are denied freedom.

C)Birds specifically cannot be denied freedom due to their need to fly.

D)With enough time, any person will lose the pull they feel towards freedom.

PART B: Which section from the text best supports the answer to Part A?

A) “I know what the caged bird feels, alas! / When the sun is bright on the upland slopes;” ( Lines 1-2)

B)“When the first bird sings and the first bud opes, / And the faint perfume from its chalice steals” ( Lines 5-6)

C)“I know why the caged bird beats his wing / Till its blood is red on the cruel bars;” ( Lines 8-9)

D)“It is not a carol of joy or glee, / But a prayer that he sends from his heart's deep core, / But a plea, that upward to Heaven he flings — ” ( Lines 18-20)

Answer 1

Answer:

PART A: B). No one can live a full or happy life if they are denied freedom.

PART B: A). “I know what the caged bird feels, alas! / When the sun is bright on the upland slopes;” ( Lines 1-2)

Explanation:

The central idea that Paul wishes to convey through this poem is that 'no individual can live a contented and joyous life when they are denied their due liberty.' The poet sympathizes with the caged birds as he could feel their pain of inability to live their life independently and express their emotions or feelings. Thus, option B is the correct answer.

The quotation 'I Know...slopes' supports the above idea as it reflects that how the caged birds feel when they could see the bright sun rising above the slopes which reinforces the idea of significance of freedom in one's life and the reluctance to live when they are neglected liberty as it not only snatches their ability to live but also their freedom of expression. Thus, option A is the correct answer.