Sympathy

Introduction

“Sympathy” by Paul Laurence Dunbar is a powerful poem that touches the depths of the struggle for freedom and the pain of captivity. Written by Dunbar, an African American poet at the turn of the 20th century, this poem is often interpreted as a metaphor for the racial discrimination and oppression that African Americans faced during his time. The genre of the poem is lyrical, with a rich use of symbolic and emotional language that conveys a deep sense of empathy and understanding.

Dunbar, born in 1872 in Dayton, Ohio, was one of the first African American poets to gain national recognition, using both standard English and dialect to express the pain, beauty, and the complexity of the black experience in America. “Sympathy,” from his 1899 collection “Lyrics of the Hearthside,” remains a seminal work in American literature, often resonating with themes similar to those found in the writings of later figures during the Harlem Renaissance and beyond. 📜✨

Meaning of Sympathy

Opening section “Sympathy” begins with the lines:

I know what the caged bird feels, alas!
When the sun is bright on the upland slopes;

These opening verses set the tone for the poem, introducing the central metaphor of a caged bird. This bird represents those who are confined, whether physically or metaphorically, experiencing a longing for freedom.

Mid section The middle part of the poem deepens the exploration of the bird’s suffering:

When the wind stirs soft through the springing grass,
And the river flows like a stream of glass;

Here, Dunbar uses vivid imagery to contrast the natural beauty of the world outside with the harsh reality of captivity, emphasizing the bird’s pain through the beauty it cannot enjoy.

Concluding section The poem concludes with a poignant cry for liberation:

I know why the caged bird beats his wing
Till its blood is red on the cruel bars;

This section powerfully conveys the desperation and intense struggle for freedom, with the bird’s self-destructive behavior underscoring its immense suffering and desire to escape.

In-depth Analysis

Stanza One —

• Imagery and Symbolism: The opening stanza introduces the caged bird and sets the stage with vivid natural imagery that contrasts sharply with the bird’s confinement. The “bright” sun and “upland slopes” symbolize freedom and unattainable desires.
• Mood and Tone: The tone is melancholic and reflective, evoking a strong sense of empathy from the reader towards the bird’s plight.

Stanza Two —

• Symbolism: The second stanza continues to use nature as a symbol of what is freely available yet inaccessible to the caged bird, heightening the sense of injustice and imprisonment.
• Literary Techniques: The use of alliteration in “wind stirs soft” and the simile “river flows like a stream of glass” enhance the lyrical quality of the poem, creating a stark contrast between the bird’s reality and the world outside.

Stanza Three —

• Figurative Language: The final stanza uses powerful imagery to depict the bird’s struggle, symbolizing not just physical but emotional and spiritual resistance against the constraints that bind it.
• Themes: The recurring themes of freedom, struggle, and oppression reach their climax here, with the bird’s desperate actions reflecting the intense desire for liberation.

Poetic Devices used in Sympathy

Device	Example
Metaphor	The “caged bird” is a metaphor for individuals experiencing oppression.
Alliteration	“When the wind stirs soft” — enhances the auditory quality of the verse.
Simile	“And the river flows like a stream of glass;” — compares the river’s smooth flow to glass, emphasizing peace and clarity outside the cage.
Imagery	Descriptions of the sun, river, and grass invoke strong visual and emotional responses.
Personification	The sun is given human-like qualities, brightening and affecting the landscape.
Symbolism	The “caged bird” symbolizes trapped and oppressed beings.
Repetition	The phrase “I know why” repeats to emphasize understanding and empathy towards the bird’s condition.
Anaphora	Repetition of the word “When” at the beginning of lines in the second stanza creates a rhythmic pattern.
Onomatopoeia	“Beats his wing” uses sound to emphasize the violence of the bird’s action.
Consonance	The repetition of the ‘s’ sound in “stirs soft” adds a musical quality to the reading.

FAQs

What is the main theme of “Sympathy” by Paul Laurence Dunbar? The main theme of “Sympathy” is the struggle for freedom experienced by the oppressed, symbolized through the metaphor of a caged bird.

Why does Paul Laurence Dunbar use the metaphor of a caged bird? Dunbar uses the caged bird metaphor to represent the emotional and physical constraints placed on African Americans during his time, emphasizing their pain and longing for freedom.

How does the structure of “Sympathy” contribute to its overall impact? The poem’s structured in three stanzas, each building on the bird’s plight, which effectively mirrors the escalating intensity of the struggle for freedom and the desperation felt by the oppressed.

What literary techniques does Dunbar use to enhance the poem’s message? Dunbar uses a variety of literary techniques including metaphor, alliteration, simile, imagery, and repetition, all of which contribute to a deeper emotional impact and enhance the thematic expression of the poem.

Sympathy Study Guide

Study Guide — Exercise: Analyze the following verse from “Sympathy” and list all the poetic devices used:

plaintextCopy codeI know why the caged bird beats his wing
Till its blood is red on the cruel bars;

Answer:

• Metaphor: The caged bird represents people confined by societal restrictions.
• Imagery: “Blood is red on the cruel bars” vividly portrays the bird’s suffering.
• Symbolism: The “caged bird” symbolizes trapped and oppressed beings.
• Onomatopoeia: “Beats” captures the sound of the bird’s wings hitting the bars.