In the poem “Sympathy” by Paul Laurence Dunbar, the poet uses the image of himself as a caged bird to symbolize feeling trapped in an undesirable situation. In the first stanza, Dunbar paints a cheerful picture of “the sun bright on the upland slopes” (Dunbar 2), perhaps reflecting his hopeful outlook after graduating high school and believing in countless opportunities. However, as the poem progresses into the second stanza, the tone becomes somber and dark.
The author shares the sentiment of feeling trapped like the bird described in the poem. The bird desperately beats its wings against the bars, causing its blood to turn red. This parallels Dunbar’s own experience of being held back in various aspects of his life, including his career, due to racial profiling during the civil war. The author empathizes with the caged bird, understanding its feelings all too well. In the final stanza, Dunbar depicts the bird singing and longing to escape the confines of its prison. The bird’s desire to be free is so strong that it sends a heartfelt prayer from the depths of its being.
The author’s longing for an escape from his lonely life as a poet working at a hotel is represented in this symbol. The literature book provides insights into the poem’s meaning by offering information from the author’s biography. According to the book, Paul Dunbar’s first job after high school was opening elevator cages. In my view, the author felt confined in this position due to racial discrimination and the time period. Dunbar had been denied opportunities in desired fields such as business and journalism.
The author’s feelings of being held back are evident in the poem where he describes himself as a caged bird beating his wings (Dunbar 8). With vivid descriptive language, Dunbar portrays the bird trapped and bleeding in its cage. The author’s desperation to break free from this confinement is palpable, as he longed to achieve greatness in life but found himself limited by the prejudices of his era. Throughout the poem, the author repeatedly identifies himself as the bird, acknowledging that he now understands firsthand the plight of the caged bird (Dunbar 1).
Part 2: Author Biography
During the 1900s, Paul Laurence Dunbar emerged as a highly esteemed poet. He holds the distinction of being the first African American to gain recognition not only in his own country but also worldwide. (Paul Laurence Dunbar 1). Dunbar encountered numerous obstacles on his journey to becoming a renowned writer. However, he possessed an abundance of intellect and literary talent. At the tender age of sixteen, he had already authored and published a collection of his poems called “Dayton Herald” (Paul Laurence Dunbar 3).
Dunbar achieved success in high school with the belief that he would pursue greater opportunities after graduation. Although he aspired to become a journalist, he faced rejections for entry-level positions. Eventually, he secured a job as an elevator operator, earning a mere four dollars per week (Paul Laurence Dunbar 3). Dunbar found inspiration in the works of renowned authors and poets such as Williams Shakespeare, John Keats, and Alfred Tennyson. He used his free time to write and publish his own poetry and articles, which gained attention from numerous readers (Paul Laurence Dunbar 3).
Paul Laurence Dunbar gained attention and support for his poetry after delivering the opening statement to the Western Association of Writers in 1892. Newton Matthew was one of his greatest supporters who was captivated by Dunbar’s twenty-six-line poem (Paul Laurence Dunbar 3). Moreover, Dunbar was recognized by renowned authors from past times, including Booker T. Washington, who referred to him as the “Poet Laureate of the Negro Race” (Paul Laurence Dunbar 1). The popularity of Dunbar’s poetry stemmed from its incorporation of humor, pathos, and the genuine struggles experienced by the African American population, both during and after slavery (Paul Laurence Dunbar 1).
Paul Laurence Dunbar became well-known in American literature for writing poetry in a Negro dialect (Dunbar’s Poetry in Literary English 1). In countries like Israel and Egypt, women face severe discrimination and are treated as inferior to men. This has been the religious norm for centuries. The article “Women on the Front Lines of Faith vs. State” by the Monitor’s Editorial Board addresses the torture women have endured and Hillary Clinton’s efforts to distinguish between faith-based bias and human rights (Monitor’s Editorial Board 1). In Israel, signs were posted at religious synagogues prohibiting women from passing by the holy sanctuaries, but the government swiftly removed such signs and condemned the discrimination (Monitor’s Editorial Board 2). In this country, Israeli women are not allowed to show their heads in public and do not enjoy equal rights and privileges as men.
In Israel, women are often treated differently, specifically in public, as if they are solely sexual objects (Monitor’s Editorial Board 3). These countries view women as less than human. This poem, “sympathy” by Paul Laurence Dunbar, shares similarities with the article. Dunbar personally experiences discrimination due to his skin color, which hindered his writing career. Although the discrimination faced by Israeli women stems from a different reason, they are subjected to the same hatred that accompanies all forms of prejudice.
In his writing, Dunbar sought to convey the sensation of confinement, analogous to that of a bird, wherein one’s potential for progress and triumph is hindered by societal limitations that confine them to a certain place deemed appropriate by others. Both these women and Dunbar himself encounter similar obstacles in their pursuit of greater accomplishments, as they are restrained and suppressed by the oppressive force of prejudice. Part 4: Interviews Shedding light on the perspectives of others regarding your poem appeared to hold significance within the research procedure.
Both Amanda Porter, age 17, and my older father, Greg Williams, had differing opinions on the meaning of the poem “sympathy” by Paul Laurence Dunbar. The disparity in their perspectives can be attributed to differences in education and age. Despite both interviewees sharing their views on the poem, Porter expressed a deeper understanding and emotional connection to the underlying message, while Williams offered a more surface-level interpretation. Interestingly, Porter emphasized the significance of Dunbar himself as the main speaker of the poem.
After inquiring about her interpretation of the poem, Porter concluded that the poem aimed to illustrate the similarities between humans and animals. The elements that caught her attention were the metaphors used throughout, likening the man to a “trapped bird”. These responses only scratched the surface of the profound depths of this poem. When questioned, my father Greg Williams responded with intense emotion, conveying a profound depth of feeling.
Williams interpreted this poem as conveying the idea that the man depicted, like the bird, is experiencing pain, as Dunbar describes the bird as having “pain that still throbs in the old, old scars” (12). The man is currently in pain but is attempting to “release his heart and the pain in his life for freedom to gain release [from the pain]”. When asked about the purpose of the poem, Williams suggests that it appears to him as a message that regardless of whether one is feeling good or bad, they should seek release from heaven. Williams provides further insights upon being asked additional questions, which greatly aided in uncovering a deeper meaning within the poem.
Both of my interviewees were instrumental in uncovering the perspectives of others regarding this poem by Dunbar. Both individuals expressed a sense of sorrow for the bird and empathy for the man depicted in this poignant portrayal of suffering, where he truly comprehends the anguish experienced by the captive bird (Dunbar 1). While there were similarities in their viewpoints, numerous differences emerged. The younger participant believed that the poem reflects a form of cruelty towards animals, whereas the other interviewee interpreted it as the author using the bird metaphorically to represent himself. These disparate perspectives were evident in their respective responses. Part 5: Reflection
After analyzing the poem “Sympathy” by Paul Laurence Dunbar and conducting extensive research, I have gained a deeper understanding of the underlying message conveyed by Dunbar. Through the usage of metaphors, similes, and other figurative language, he effectively highlights the intense anguish experienced by the protagonist, allowing the readers to empathize with their pain. This research process has provided me with a more profound comprehension of the poem. Furthermore, by seeking out an article that relates to the themes presented in my poem, I have discovered that discrimination is prevalent worldwide.
Women in Israel face similar mistreatment as African Americans did during Dunbar’s era. It was also highly beneficial to witness others’ interpretations of my poem, providing a fresh perspective that enhances its meaning. Overall, delving into the depths of this poem was a captivating journey full of insight and intrigue.
Works Cited
Burch, Charles Eaton. “Dunbar’s Poetry in Literary English.” The Southern Workman 50.10 (Oct. 1921): 469-473. Rpt. in Twentieth-Century Literary Criticism. Ed. Dennis Poupard. Vol. 12. Detroit: Gale Research, 1984. Literature Resource Center.
Web. 29 Feb. 2012. Dunbar, Paul L. “Sympathy. ” The Language of Literature. Evanston, IL: McDougal Littell, 2000. Print.
Editorial Board, Monitor’s. “Women on the Front Lines of Faith vs. State. ” Christian Science Monitor. 28 Dec 2011: n. p.
SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 29 Feb 2012.
Gerhard, Jane, and Cynthia McCown. “Paul Laurence Dunbar. ” American Decades. Ed. Judith S. Baughman, et al. Detroit: Gale, 2003.
Gale Biography In Context. Web. 29 Feb. 2012.
Porter, Amanda. Personal interview. 14 February 2012
Williams, Greg. Personal interview. 14 February 2012
