Sympathy
The poem "Sympathy", by Paul Laurence Dunbar suggests to the reader a comparison between the lifestyle of the caged bird, and the African American in the nineteenth century. Paul Laurence Dunbar's focus of "Sympathy" is how the African American identifies and relates to the frustrations and pain that a caged bird experiences. Dunbar begins the poem by stating, "I know what the caged bird feels, alas!" which illustrates the comparison of a caged bird to an African American. Dunbar writes a poem with vivid and descriptive language throughout. Dunbar uses this to emphasize his point that someone tied up in bondage and chains figuratively is not fortunate enough to enjoy the finer things in life. Sadly, "springing grass", a flowing river, and budding flowers are things that unoppressed people might take for granted (For a slave or someone struggling to get on their feet post slavery, could not take the time to enjoy life's pleasures in which Dunbar symbolically uses nature.) Dunbar uses language that reaches out, striking a personal chord with the reader. Grass, river, or flowers may be objects we enjoy, but underprivileged people, not necessarily minorities, cannot enjoy because of social or economic circumstances. Underprivile
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Some common words found in the essay are:
African Americans, African American, American Dunbar, Interpretivly Dunbar, caged bird, Meaning Dunbar, african americans, Sympathy Singing, Laurence Dunbar, african american, Dunbar's Sympathy, dunbar writes, bird sings, caged bird african, Laurence Dunbar's, bird african american, bird african, Paul Laurence, caged bird feels, bird feels, life caged, caged bird sings, paul laurence, life caged bird, bird life,
Approximate Word count = 1129
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
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