#CagedBird

The Deeper Meaning

maddyl222 20-1D, Personal Response, Writing , , , , , , , , , 5 Comments
The Deeper Meaning

“A Child Before A Mirror Of Strangers”

 

When reflecting on the poem “A Child Before A Mirror Of Strangers”, written by poet Wole Soyinka, childhood is a major theme that comes to mind. More specifically, how adults tend to neglect their childhoods all together. I have come to the realization that this is something I have become victim to, as I too look past my childhood. Reminiscing on this time in my life has become irrelevant and I have pushed aside fun for responsibility. Sometimes it seems as if there is no other option. With the constant repetition of the words “as if”, in this piece of literature, this feeling begins to intensify. Soyinka creates an almost accusatory tone that made me feel as if I was the cause for the loss of my own childhood and the memories obtained from it, which in some cases can be considered true.

 

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I remember being young and wishing I was older. Wanting to do everything I saw the bigger kids doing and wanting to be grown up. It wasn’t until I grew up that I realized how precious my childhood really was. After investigating even further, I have come to notice that this is a trend in kids’ behaviours: the feeling of wanting to grow up. It can be suspected that, for a lot of kids, this way of thinking is caused by social media. This was a huge factor when it came to my own development. I was raised in the time when apps like Instagram, Youtube, and other streaming platforms became popular. I was exposed to expectations and social standards at a very young age, a lot like the majority of us. When you’re young and still developing mentally, exposure to these types of sources are sure to have an impact on how one sees the world and themselves. We force ourselves to believe that we should act more “mature” or make ourselves look older just so we match what we see on a screen.

 

It is funny to think about how things have changed. Instead of wishing to be older, I wish I could go back in time and do it all over again. I want to have the privilege of being free from responsibility and just allow myself to be a kid. I had so much more time to be a child than what I gave myself and this is something I will regret for years to come. This poem made me understand the importance of childhood and how it is something that must be cherished rather than neglected. Our childhood is what shapes us as people and overlooking these principle years of our lives is only a mistake. Growing up is a part of life but it is not something that should be rushed.

 

 

“Caged Bird”

 

Caged Bird, a poem written by Maya Angelou, depicts the differences in two birds’ lives. One is free to do as it wishes, flap its wings into the sun’s light, and enjoy the sky, when the other is confined to a cage. However, despite this one bird’s anger towards his “wings being clipped” and his “feet being tied” he sings a song. He sings while fearing the unknown but at the same time desiring it so deeply. He longs for freedom and although his song is heard, he knows that it is only even noticed as a background noise. Such contrast between the two birds and their lives makes one wonder, why does only one bird deserve freedom? What is the difference? 

 

Maya Angelou, a woman of colour, wrote this poem to display how her wings have been clipped and her feet have been tied in the real world. Her own cage and confinement stems from discrimination and racism that she has faced all of her life and all because of the shade of her skin. No matter how hard she sings or cries her voice is overlooked and her desire for true freedom is never achieved. Though her “song” may not be heard she has such a desperation for freedom that her voice continues to sing, for freedom is something every individual deserves no matter the colour of their complexion.

 

I too understand this feeling of not being listened to. Even when in a room filled with people it can feel as if your mouth fails to make a sound. However, I have not experienced this to the same extent that a large number of the world’s population has. I am not a victim to racial adversity but hearing the perspectives of someone who has experienced things that I will never have to go through is very enlightening. The amount of strength needed to speak out against discrimination demonstrates Angelou’s hunger for freedom and how necessary it really is in our society.

 

 

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