Corrected stanza: I know what the caged bird feels, alas! When the sun is bright on the upland slopes; When the wind stirs softly through the springing grass, And the river flows like a stream of glass; When the first bird sings and the first bud opens, And the faint perfume from its chalice steals— I know what the caged bird feels! A central idea in the first stanza of the poem "Sympathy" is: C. The caged bird does not get the chance to experience the sights, sounds, and feelings of nature.
English · High School · Thu Feb 04 2021
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Option C is correct. The central idea in the first stanza of the poem "Sympathy," written by Paul Laurence Dunbar, reflects the poignant contrast between the free, vibrant life outside the cage and the restricted experience of the caged bird. The poet uses imagery associated with nature – the bright sun, the soft wind, the flowing river, the singing bird, the budding flower, and the subtle fragrance – to depict the richness and beauty of the natural world. The use of the word "alas" suggests a sense of sorrow or regret, indicating that the caged bird is unable to participate in or enjoy these experiences due to its confinement. Dunbar’s vivid descriptions stir up a sense of empathy in the reader, as they are made to feel the bird's longing for freedom and its anguish at being trapped.