Sympathy

by Paul Laurence Dunbar

The famous poem "Sympathy" by Paul Laurence Dunbar, which begins with the line: "I know what the caged bird feels, alas!"

Genres: Poetry, Classics, School

1 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 28, 2012

About the author

Paul Laurence Dunbar (June 27, 1872 – February 9, 1906) was a seminal American poet of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Dunbar gained national recognition for his 1896 Lyrics of a Lowly Life, one poem in the collection Ode to Ethiopia. In 2002, scholar Molefi Kete Asante listed Paul Laurence Dunbar on his list of 100 Greatest African Americans.

Dunbar was born in Dayton, Ohio to parents who had escaped from slavery; his father was a veteran of the American Civil War, having served in the 55th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment and the 5th Massachusetts Colored Cavalry Regiment. His parents instilled in him a love of learning and history. He was a student at an all-white high school, Dayton Central High School, and he participated actively as a student. During high school, he was both the editor of the school newspaper and class president, as well as the president of the school literary society. Dunbar had also started the first African-American newsletter in Dayton.

He wrote his first poem at age 6 and gave his first public recital at age 9. Dunbar's first published work came in a newspaper put out by his high school friends Wilbur and Orville Wright, who owned a printing plant. The Wright Brothers later invested in the Dayton Tattler, a newspaper aimed at the black community, edited and published by Dunbar.

His first collection of poetry, Oak and Ivy, was published in 1892 and attracted the attention of James Whitcomb Riley, the popular "Hoosier Poet". Both Riley and Dunbar wrote poems in both standard English and dialect. His second book, Majors and Minors (1895) brought him national fame and the patronage of William Dean Howells, the novelist and critic and editor of Harper's Weekly. After Howells' praise, his first two books were combined as Lyrics of Lowly Life and Dunbar started on a career of international literary fame. He moved to Washington, D.C., in the LeDroit Park neighborhood. While in Washington, he attended Howard University.

He kept a lifelong friendship with the Wrights, and was also associated with Frederick Douglass and Booker T. Washington. Brand Whitlock was also described as a close friend.[2] He was honored with a ceremonial sword by President Theodore Roosevelt.

He wrote a dozen books of poetry, four books of short stories, five novels, and a play. He also wrote lyrics for In Dahomey - the first musical written and performed entirely by African-Americans to appear on Broadway in 1903; the musical comedy successfully toured England and America over a period of four years - one of the more successful theatrical productions of its time.[3] His essays and poems were published widely in the leading journals of the day. His work appeared in Harper's Weekly, the Saturday Evening Post, the Denver Post, Current Literature and a number of other publications. During his life, considerable emphasis was laid on the fact that Dunbar was of pure black descent, with no white ancestors ever.

Dunbar's work is known for its colorful language and use of dialect, and a conversational tone, with a brilliant rhetorical structure.

Dunbar traveled to England in 1897 to recite his works on the London literary circuit. He met the brilliant young black composer Samuel Coleridge-Taylor who some of his poems to music and who was influenced by Dunbar to use African and American Negro songs and tunes in future compositions.

After returning from England, Dunbar married Alice Ruth Moore in 1898. A graduate of Straight University (now Dillard University) in New Orleans, her most famous works include a short story entitled "Violets". She and her husband also wrote books of poetry as companion pieces. An account of their love, life and marriage was depicted in a play by Kathleen McGhee-Anderson titled Oak and Ivy.

Dunbar took a job at the Library of Congress in Washington. In 1900, he was diagnosed with tuberculosis and moved to Colorado with his wife on the advice of his doctors. Dunbar died at age 33.

Reviews

[Lamar · Rating 1 out of 5]

4 school

[Tristan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would have to say that his poem quality is very high, I don't see any grammatical errors or misused works. I believe that the message of the text is that during the time he wrote this Paul Laurence Dunbar was metaphorically imprisoned due to the time he was in slaves were recently freed which made it hard for former slaves, & children of former slaves to belong in society. I believe this because he says in the poem, "I know why the caged bird beats his wings 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." this to me helps illustrate that the caged bird is an allegory for himself at the time because he wasn't literally trapped, but he was trapped metaphorically by social norms, & standers.
I find the metaphor somewhat easy to understand due to his saying, "I know that the caged bird feels." this to me was a very clear way of telling the reader that the caged bird was a metaphor for himself, & how he felt during this life while writing this. In conclusion I think that the poem known as "sympathy" by Paul Laurence Dunbar was a high quality poem what illustrated the message that he felt like a caged bird in society due to the recent freeing of the slaves which made it hard for African Americans to fit into society which lead to him feeling trapped like a caged bird.

[Ariana C · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the poem, Paul Laurence Dunbar uses the image of a trapped bird to express feelings of pain and the desire for freedom. One of the most powerful lines in the poem is " I know why the caged bird beats his wing," which symbolizes the struggle of people who feel trapped by society and discrimination. Dunbar's vivid imagery helps readers understand the bird's suffering and desperation as it repeatedly hurts itself trying to escape. The poem's emotional tone makes the reader sympathize deeply with the bird and recognize the larger message about freedom and injustice.

Another important quote from the poem is "It is not a carol of joy or glee,
But a prayer that he sends from his heart’s deep core." This line reveals that the bird's song is not happiness, but a cry for freedom and hope. Dunbar uses symbolism and repetition throughout the poem to emphasize the emotional pain caused by confinement. The poem is especially meaningful because it reflects the struggle faced by African Americans during Dundar's time while also connecting to anyone who has ever felt restricted or unheard. Overall, "Sympathy" is a moving and powerful poem that uses strong imagery and emotional language to explore themes of freedom,suffering,and hope.

[Greidys M · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this poem. Even though the poem was kind of repetitive, it was really emotional and I feel everyone is able to connect in a way. One quote I think is really good is, "I know why the caged bird sings." This quote is important to me because it shows the connection the author feels to the way the bird feels. To me it represents someone hurting but still hopeful things can still change. It's a reminder that you should never give up and continue to push through hard times.
I liked how Dunbar used descriptive language to help us imagine the bird’s pain and frustration. He makes it clear all the effort the bird is making to escape the cage. I also liked the quote," When he bears 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." This quote is also significant because it shows how the author realized the true meaning of being a caged bird. To feel like a caged bird is to continue to fight even when you don't think it will help any longer. Everyone is going to have a moment where they feel like a "caged bird" but like the bird they can never lose hope.

[Paola · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this poem fairly well. While reading this poem it got repetitive but I could see why they had to repeat the phrases. The repeating phrase of, "I know why the caged bird," sings, feels, and beats his wing added to the severity of that statement. He knows all these reasons and for that he is able to sympathize with the people who are in pain.
The part that I enjoyed the most would be when he says, "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 find this quote to be the most significant quote and truly shows how the writer has realized the real meaning of being a caged bird. To be a caged bird Is to want more for yourself so you fight even when you don't think it will help any longer.
The reason I rated it at a three is because it didn't leave a remarkable mark on me and is easily forgettable in my opinion. But I think its main topic on sympathy, like the title suggest, is a breath of fresh air when all around you in media is blinded by cruel agendas and disheartening actions our government does onto its people.

[Abigail Barrera · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sympathy was a really good book. I enjoyed reading it in my class and it should be the difference between empathy and sympathy. Sympathy is about knowing how a bird feels like being caged and it shows that they're not able to be free and the book is showing how slaves feel like because they don't have that freedom. It was a good idea to use a bird to show how a slave feels like. Birds are such free animals because they can fly and just be free so they shouldn't be caged up same goes for a slave.

The author really made it clear on how he related with the bird on how it felt caged and didn't feel free. Paul went into full detail on how a bird feels like being caged and he kept saying "I know" which shows he understands. He starts the story with "I know what the caged bird feels, alas!" and after that he explains how the bird beats itself down because it's not free as it should be it can't fly anywhere. The "I know" makes this a good story because Paul knows the reasons on how the bird feels and for that he is able to sympathize with the birds pain which hints at he sympathizes when people are in pain.

[Mariah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sympathy is a great poem with an amazing metaphor that I really love. Dunbar uses the repeated rhetoric of "I know why the caged bird..." to show how similar him and the trapped bird are. Using a bird instead of any other animals has layers as well, because a bird is meant to soar and be free. It's so beautiful to think about it in that way because just like a bird, black people were meant to be free and be successful, "flying" to heights that no white person could imagine. On top of that, I believe the cage is a metaphor for slavery and systemic oppression that keeps African Americans trapped in a cycle of poverty, self hate, and discrimination. Though it could be something else, I like to interpret it as this.
I also love that Dunbar describes the bird hurting itself on this cage, just trying to get out. Millions of African Americans have died due to slavery, whether they were trying to escape, or their master was just mad and decided to take a precious life. Even in today's society, African Americans are harmed by this "cage" of racism that boxes them into stereotypes and limits. It's crazy and disappointing that a poem from over a century ago still applies to today's society.

[Emanuel · Rating 4 out of 5]

The poem "Sympathy" by Paul Laurence Dunbar is very emotional in my opinion. I personally believe its him trying to express his feelings, his emotions, but mostly his state in which he feels he's able to relate to the caged bird. Throughout the poem he emphasises how he relates/knows how the bird feels while also describing the nature and reasoning as to why the bird does what it does. I believe that in this poem he is trying to relate this to slavery. For example the quote, "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!" really shows how during the time slaves would sing not only to past time but to describe the hardships of what they are going through. They would often sing but also like how in the poem said "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" this helps better support that but I would definitely recommend for highschool

[Jeremiah Chandler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paul Laurence Dunbar has done amazing writings, with two of them being very substantial to me. The following is about Sympathy, a poem that describes the feeling of a black man in a post slavery America. The poem titled "Sympathy" goes with a caged bird, who despite his beautiful surroundings, constantly has the internal struggle of being trapped. In the text, the poem goes about this bird, suffering self-inflicted pain as a result of his imprisonment. "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;"

This, while not just being cruel imagery of a bird beating itself inside of a cage, also shows the emotional weight of being in a post slavery America. While safe, you're not exactly free from the dangers, as many threats may be posed onto you due to outside forces outside of your control. This poem does a great job, allowing the reader to fully understand the depth of the author's emotions and allowing them to realize the struggles they might have not felt or allow themselves to relate to the struggle with their own life.

[Alexa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I rate this poem a 5/5 because I think it accurately presents how the author feels just like a caged bird that is stuck there with no freedom at all. It shows us how a caged bird experiences abuse but still singing and resisting. The author uses this as a way to say he relates to the bird as he also experiences abuse and being forced to give up his freedom. We see that he also resists it too just like the bird.

This poem made me feel sad that people of color had to experience being locked up against their will and while also being abused. This shows how they were extremely dehumanized and treated as props just how animals get treated. It's sad that a human relates to how an animal is being treated.

A quote from the poem that showcases this is "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!". This quote from the poem shows how they still had many scars from the abuse that they experienced against their will, feeling like just a abused animal.

[Dayanara · Rating 5 out of 5]

The poem "sympathy" by Paul Laurence Dunbar shows a deep form of sympathy and how he can relate to the feelings of a trapped bird in a cage, desperately wanting to be freed. Paul Laurence Dunbar showed an amazing way towards paving the deep emotions he sometimes may feel and connects those feelings by showing in an expression of a trapped bird in a cage. Paul Laurence Dunbar references these harsh emotions he feels by stating;"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!" This quote shows how desperate Paul Laurence Dunbar relates to the cage bird, beating its wings till it bleeds, desperately trying to be free, the same way Paul is too. This poem is not just symbolizing a caged bird, but the sympathy of it, not being able to be free also means not to be flying freely, which symbolizes desperate and negative emotions.

[Michael Womack · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sympathy a poem about how our author relates to the caged bird which I think relates to how the author felt during or in past moments trying to relate to the "caged bird". At the end of ever paragraph the author reminds us that he knows how the caged bird feels for example "I know how the caged bird feels" and "I know why he beats his wing" and last "I know how the caged bird sings" all three talk about how the author relates to the caged bird which can be a positive or negative. A positive is when he author says "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;" referring to positive time understanding how the caged bird feels. A negative is when the author says "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!". Which I think refers to the past pain the author had to go through. The poem has good means and overall is good.

[Precious · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really touched me. Specifically this quote from the book, "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." This quote gave an amazing example as to what it feels like when a person is stuck in a place where they don't have freedom and all they want to do is escape and they keep trying and trying to do their best to keep moving forward but its so difficult and almost feels impossible to do so because it feels like you are trapped. I have felt this way and talking about the caged bird really helped me sympathize with this book and I know that many other people who go through struggles will be able to as well. It helps you feel seen and know that there are other people out there that are stuck in a cage like that bird is and as much as you flap your wings to try to get out it seems like there is no use. I could sympathize with this book so well because of the way it was written and it was so relatable so I rated it 5 stars.

[Jayden Lopez · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book shows how the will to be free is strong but we people are in a cage where we could be never even do freedom is In front of us and yet we cant reach. This book highlights it by the quote given to us by Paul Laurence Dumbar "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!".As the author uses the bird to reflect his own current state were he feels caged even do he sees freedom. plus it could be referring to how the slaves were caged even do they saw the freedom in the north unable to reach for it. For me this book go me really thinking about how the slaves felt how they saw freedom but yet they could never reach it till the end of the civil war it made me wonder the true extent of the longing of freedom and plus other country's that don't have there freedom for people.

[Aiden Sajuan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just like previous works of Paul Laurence Dunbar, this poem holds a lot of emotion and really made me ponder. The poem is truly a work of art just from wordplay alone. This poem also holds a clear message and shows us how some people feel in life, like a caged bird. Paul Laurence says, "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." I believe this means that even though he is suffering right now, no matter what he will be in peace and free after everything aka death. Nothing in life is permanent and this made me realize that. You may feel trapped and enclosed your whole life but at the end of your life where would you be? Paul Laurence says, "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!" This tells me how everything the "bird" does is a plea to go to heaven so they don't have to suffer. This would show "Sympathy" towards the "bird" as it would take him out of his misery, rather than letting him live in pain.

[Sergio Diaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh to be a bird would be to experience true velocity within our lives. Oh to be a bird would allow me to take flight yet be able to retrace my steps with ease. Oh to be a bird would be so free that I could not see what was behind me. Oh to be a bird means there is no going back, only exploring. Oh to be a bird high and mighty through the trees, unable to be seen by those that dream.

To be a bird is freedom of expression, not held down or captivated by any superficial reasoning, but to be a caged bird represents the lack thereof. A caged bird feels its wings flap, it feels like it may be able to soar above all of the environment that ensnares it, but can't. A caged bird may never see true development and reach all the soaring heights it could reach if free. Then again, caged bird get used to their environment, they do not feel ensnared at all, they feel empowered and capable. They thrive within the environment presented to them as they do not know how it feels to have the wind flowing through their wings, to be able to bask in that sunlight, to roam freely.

[Brianna McDuffie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this poem during my class. While reading, the poem consistently repeats the phrase "I know what the caged bird..." which shows how Paul Laurence Dunbar is able to understand what other people feel and just have sympathy for others and their struggles (hence the poem title being called Sympathy). In the text, he also uses thoughtful descriptions to allow us to understand the struggles that the bird must go through.

I believe the cage symbolizes a type of restraint for people (particularly African American people) as they were the ones trapped within the cycle of slavery and had no freedom. Yet, they still had hope because within the stanzas, he states that "It is not a carol of joy or glee, / But a prayer that he sends from his heart’s deep core." In general, I felt this text is about sympathizing with others during slavery times, and how they are still hopeful for the day where that cage would be unlocked for the bird. And for the person, the day when slavery would finally be erased.

[Ella Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sympathy by Paul Laurence Dunbar is a strong and heavy poem. Paul Laurence Dunbar really used words that can make you picture what he's saying. The poem states "Knowing how a caged bird feels." You can interpret that in so so so many ways. In a moment of being stuck, Not being able to move on in life. Paul Laurence Dunbar in all his poems finds a way to speak to you through the poems. Feels how you feel and really read your life. The poem also states " When his wing is bruised and his bosom sore,—
When he beats his bars and he would be free;" Wanting out of this area in life wear your stuck. Stuck on a person, Stuck in a mindset, Stuck in a place you don't wanna be. You fight and fight and fight until you realize there's no way out. You're just stuck, trapped even. In Paul Laurence Dunbar's poems everyone can interpret them differently. Or maybe even in ways others just could see it. To me this poem represents being trapped in a cage and being aware you're trapped in that cage and as much as you may want out, You find peace in that cage.

[Dayanaris Ochoa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this poem because he uses a metaphor everyone can understand and connect with. Lots of people can feel trapped whether its at school, home, relationships with people and so much more. He uses the bird to show how it can feel to be trapped, in his eyes he sees it as being trapped as a slave and looking for freedom. This is very powerful to me because I can imagine how much confusion and sadness he might have like a bird trapped in a cage .

This quote "I know why the caged bird beats his wing, Till its blood is red on the cruel bars; " really sticks with me because I can understand being frustrated and just going a bit crazy, like a crash out. I can see Paul using this quote as the bird beating himself up because he knows he cant do anything about being stuck,or in Paul's case he cant do anything about being a former slave because that how the world worked back then. This poem shows lots of emotion and really connects with me because I can understand being the bird in a trapped cage and how lots of us put ourselves down and beat ourselves up.

[Janelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

The poem "Sympathy" by Paul Laurence Dunbar, shows the feeling of being trapped through using a cage bird as a metaphor. The book quotes such as,"I know what the caged bird feels," often through the book and what Paul Laurence Dunbar is telling readers is that he has an understanding of feeling stuck not being able to really express himself to his max potential, "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!" This quote shows how he has to relive that same pain over and over again, being stuck in one position his whole life, so Paul Laurence Dunbar, wants readers to understand this pain but uses it through metaphoric language. This stuck out to me, because it expresses himself in a way, that reaches out to people even if he feels that he's unable to.

[La'Niyah Bradin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Personally, I think The book Sympathy is a powerful poem. This is because Paul Lawrence uses strong imagery. Not only that, but Paul Lawrence uses emotions in a way to describe feeling of being trapped. Throughout The poem many emotions describe the feeling of wanting freedom. This poem includes a caged bird that helps the reader understand pain caused from being trapped in a way suffering. A weakness shown, is things like language which can be hard at times to understand. Dunbar's purpose was to show the struggles of feeling trapped and the desire for freedom. A good quote that explains the struggles of wanting freedom would be, "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, ." This shows the true feelings of being trapped. Therefore, overall Sympathy by Paul Laurence Dunbar, is a good book.

[Gisselle · Rating 4 out of 5]

To me "Sympathy" by Paul Laurence Dunbar showed me a bigger picture of what sympathy truly means, sympathy isn't to want to feel the pain of others or wanting to simply feel bad; sympathy is to relate a little, to be able to come together within each other because you too understand what is being felt within them. The text was short yet had so much of a deeper meaning it was a quantity type of thing it was about its quality, being able to show bigger pictures and meaning with such little expression. While reading this quote singled out to me "And they pulse again with a keener sting—
I know why he beats his wing! " there were many examples on knowing why the bird did what he did but this is the only one that didn't emphasize on knowing why the "caged bird" did something, at that point it wasn't just feeling sympathetic it was also about relating not just hypothetically but
theoretically.

[Alexander · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Sympathy" by Paul Laurence Dunbar demonstrates the strong determination of wanting to be free through the eyes of a caged bird. The way Paul Laurence Dunbar shares his experience through the comparison of a caged bird yearning to be free really touched me. His use of words and the way he tells the reader his position of inability really makes the reader understand and compare him, "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 really like how the author use of words and the way he describes his experience through the lens of the caged bird. Overall, and interacting read that leaves you thinking of how this author overcame adversity.

[Allyson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This poem was an amazing read in my class. It was a real and harsh reality that Dunbar and many others felt at the time. When reading I felt that I understood what he conveyed and I could feel the suspense rising as frustration grew throughout the poem. It's also important that I mention the imagery and his comparison to the bird, it highlights the raw emotions being portrayed like
"I know why the caged bird beats his wing
Till its blood is red on the cruel bars; "
"And they pulse again with a keener sting—
I know why he beats his wing!"
He repeats that he knows why the bird sings and struggles, I interpreted this as lack of happiness in any situation because he is always trapped. It can be physically or mentally, and he can fight as hard as he can to escape but the result will always be pain. I do have to mention that I personally just had to decipher to the best of my ability which is a place I lack in, regardless it was a great poem that I enjoyed reading in my class.

[Savanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sympathy by Paul Laurence Dunbar had really good quality. I think the poem is trying to touch on the way that the world and society holds down some more than others. The author is trying to give us a proper comparison so we can see just how trapped it truly makes you feel when you have to deal with others trying to hold you back every moment of every day.
A good quote from the poem that shows this is, "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!" This quote shows how the author is trying to explain the feeling of always being constantly trapped and held back because others don't let you progress. It is really good representation of communities or individual people who have do deal with this on a daily basis.

[Arianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Sympathy" by Paul Laurence Dunbar was a meaningful poem because it used the image of a trapped bird to show feelings of pain and lack of freedom. The poem explains how the bird keeps trying to escape its cage even though it gets hurt. One quote that stood out to me was, "I know why the caged bird beats his wing." I think this quote means that people who feel trapped or oppressed still fight for freedom and hope. I really liked the strong imagery and emotions in the poem.

Overall, I think "Sympathy" is a powerful poem because it sends an important message about freedom, suffering, and perseverance. Dunbar's purpose was to show how painful it is to feel trapped and unheard. Another quote that stood out to me was, "It is not a carol of joy or glee," because it shows that the bird's song comes from pain instead of happiness The poem was emotional and deep, and I thought it was very inpactful.

[Jada Miller · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed this poem once I finally understood it. The poem seems very repetitive and not easy to follow. I found myself very confused at times while reading this, Even needing further explanations from my teacher. I will say after learning more about what the words he was saying meant, It made it way easier to feel better about this poem. My favorite quote was "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!" I enjoy that specific part because I feel that's the deepest words of the whole poem.
I wont say this is my least favorite thing I've read, but it is very easily forgettable. The poem itself did not leave a permanent mark in my brain or leave a significant thought or view that is why I give it a 2 star rating.

[Anjelique · Rating 5 out of 5]

The text was a really high quality poem, the metaphors all have meaning behind them and they are meant to make you feel something. This poem was meant to make us feel exactly what the title is called: sympathy. The sympathy Paul Laurence Dunbar wanted us to feel was for the caged bird, but also the people that feel like the caged bird. The text states, "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.." (Dunbar) The use of the caged bird beating its wing on the caged was to signify that people fight to get out of situations they are stuck in. It is something we can all have related to at some point, which gets his point across for people needing to feel more sympathetic towards others.

[Anayeli Orellana · Rating 3 out of 5]

I personally think the poem is good. The poem does a really good job of conveying the title, sympathy, and creating visual imagery. An example of this is when Paul writes, "
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! "

Paul uses phrases like, "sun is bright", "wind stirs", and "river flows" to give the audience a visual when reading the poem. Paul also emphasizes the use of, "I know what the caged bird feels" to really sell the message of his poem, which is sympathy. Although I'm not fond of poems, I think this one is good.

[Christian Gideon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This poem is something that attempts to capture the feeling that many people from backgrounds have been put down. However, where this text falls short when compared to others lies in the fact that it explicitly lists the caged bird (person in struggle) as, "When he beats his bars and he would be free;
It is not a carol of joy or glee." It fails to mention the fact that many people who have been essentially caged by society don't always fight back in a way. Many people who are put down simply want to be left to live their life and are willing to live under, what the text lists as, caged conditions. To this extent, I believe that this text applies more to people with their own jobs and such. Although there are some people who actively fight to be free of the 'cage'; this text fails to recognize those who don't in a meaningful way.