Bi-Poetical Analysis_10F

Group II

Who is the speaker addressing? how does this imagined dialogue shape our understanding of their attitude toward prison and life?

He is addressing the people in prison and people who will enter prison.

The speaker's attitude toward prison in "Some Advice" gives a sense of realism and hope. He acknowledges the harsh realities of prison life but also emphasizes the importance of maintaining one's spirit and finding purpose. For instance, the advice given suggests that embracing resilience can lead to personal growth, indicating that life, even in confinement, can hold meaning. when he stated: "I mean, it’s not that you can’t pass

ten or fifteen years inside

and more—

you can,

as long as the jewel

on the left side of your chest doesn’t lose its luster!"

Lamar El Ghosin, Yasmina Ismail 10F

Group III: Jana Alkhatib. Marah. Lamis. Fatma. Hend. Retaj

Q1)

Caged bird: Identify one key moment in the poem where the caged bird's feelings are clearly expressed. How does this moment reveal their inner development?

-One key moment was when the caged bird’s wings were clipped and his feet were tied, “…his wings are clipped and his feet where are tied.” After that it is revealed that he opened his throat to sing. This shows inner development as he learns to sing for freedom. He may be “locked” but his voice runs freely for it to be heard by all. The caged bird did not let one incident stop him from letting his voice be heard even from a distant “and his tune is heard from a distant hill.” This shows that he is trying to express his resilience even without action.In general, his optimism is inferred by readers due to this example. “But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams” this shows sadness and lost hopes but it also shows that the bird is still standing. Even though his dreams feel gone, the bird doesn’t fall, it keeps going.

Q2) Some advice: Identify an image or activity mentioned in the poem that suggests a shift in mindset or values for the speaker.

"you’ll put your foot down and live."

This line marks a crucial moment in the poem, where the speaker moves from a hypothetical desire for death (“Better I had swung from the end of a rope like a flag”) to a decision to survive and resist. The act of “putting your foot down” is symbolic of reclaiming agency, choosing resilience over despair, and committing to life even under harsh conditions. It reflects a deeper change in values from fatalism to defiance, from hopelessness to purpose.

Who is the speaker addressing? How does this imagined dialogue shape our understanding of their attitude toward prison and life?

In Some Advice by Nazim Hikmet, the speaker is addressing someone in prison, possibly a younger person or even himself. He encourages them to stay hopeful, live fully, and not let prison break their spirit.

This imagined dialogue shows that the speaker sees life as worth living, even behind bars. It shapes our understanding that he believes prison cannot destroy a person’s hope, love for life, or connection to the world. It’s a message of strength and resilience.

Though they do not speak directly, how does the contrast between the caged bird and the free bird serve as an indirect interaction? What message does this contrast convey?

Though they do not speak directly, the contrast between the caged bird and the free bird in Caged Bird acts like an indirect conversation. The free bird shows what life is like with freedom, while the caged bird shows the pain of being trapped. This contrast highlights the unfairness of oppression and the deep desire for freedom. It sends a message that even when people are held back, their voice and hope can still survive.

Group 5 - Some Advice...

Discuss how the speaker’s imagined connection with another person (perhaps a younger version of himself or another prisoner) shapes the tone of encouragement or hope.

- In Some Advice to Those Who Will Serve Time in Prison, Nazim Hikmet imagines a connection with another person (someone representing a younger version of himself or a future prisoner like him facing the same situation) and this imagined bond shapes the poem’s tone of encouragement and hope. By offering direct, personal advice, the speaker becomes a guide and gives advice using his own experiences to help someone else survive in prison without losing hope or dignity. The tone is rigid yet compassionate and determined, pushing the listener to "put your foot down and live" and to keep the "jewel on the left side of your chest"(the heart) bright. This emotional connection transforms the poem from advice and survival tips into a powerful message of resilience and endurance, showing that even in prison when you’re isolated, shared human strength and determination can give meaning and hope.

Noor Mrayyan, Shahad Al-Mulla, Toleen Azim, Asal Al-Ani, Haya Abdo 10F

In Maya Angelou’s poem “Caged Bird,” the juxtaposition of the free bird and the caged bird serves as a powerful contrast that deepens the reader’s understanding of both figures by highlighting themes of freedom, oppression, and resilience.

The free bird symbolizes a life of privilege, autonomy, and opportunity. It “leaps on the back of the wind” and “dares to claim the sky,” portraying an existence without restrictions. This bird acts as a metaphor for those who live without societal or systemic constraints—often interpreted as white Americans or those in power.

In contrast, the caged bird represents someone trapped by injustice and inequality, “his wings are clipped and his feet are tied,” yet he still “opens his throat to sing.” This image powerfully evokes the experience of marginalized groups, especially African Americans, whose lives have been shaped by slavery, segregation, and racism.

Who is the speaker addressing? How does this imagined dialogue shape our understanding of their attitude toward prison and life?

The speaker in the poem is talking to someone who is in prison, likely for standing up for their beliefs or resisting something unjust. This conversation shows that the speaker has a strong, hopeful attitude toward prison and life. Instead of giving in to despair, they encourage the person to keep going, to find meaning in small things, and to not lose their inner strength. They acknowledge how hard prison is but also give advice on how to survive it with dignity and spirit. This makes the speaker seem wise, realistic, and full of quiet courage.

celeen chemali, sophia haddad

Group 1 - Caged bird

Compare the emotional states of the free bird and the caged bird. How does the caged bird’s repeated singing show resilience or change over time?

In Maya Angelou’s poem “Caged Bird,” the free bird feels joy and freedom, as it “leaps on the back of the wind” and “dares to claim the sky.” This shows the free bird’s happiness and sense of control over its life. In contrast, the caged bird lives in fear and pain, with its “wings are clipped and his feet are tied,” which means it cannot move freely. Even though it is trapped, the caged bird still sings “of freedom,” showing its hope and strength. The bird’s repeated singing, even while stuck in a cage, shows it refuses to give up. Its song is “heard on the distant hill,” meaning others can hear its cry and feel its pain. This singing shows the bird’s resilience—though its body is trapped, its voice still reaches out for change and freedom.

​In Maya Angelou’s poem Caged Bird, the speaker addresses anyone willing to understand the contrast between freedom and oppression. The poem contrasts two birds, one free and one caged. The free bird symbolizes those who enjoy liberty, while the caged bird represents individuals who are oppressed and confined. Despite its suffering, the caged bird sings of freedom, symbolizing hope and resilience. This imagined dialogue highlights the speaker’s view that, even in confinement, the desire for freedom and life persists. It emphasizes the strength of the human spirit to hope and resist, even when faced with imprisonment

In Caged Bird, the speaker shows the pain of being trapped and the joy of being free by comparing two birds. The caged bird, though hurt and tied, still sings, showing hope and strength. In Some Advice, Hikmet tells people in prison to keep living and dreaming. Both poems show that even in hard times, the human spirit stays strong.

layan, rand, julnar 10F

Group I

Describe the tone shift in the speaker’s voice from the beginning to the end. What does this suggest about their emotional or philosophical development?

At the beginning, the speaker’s tone is sad, confused, or unsure, showing that they are struggling with their thoughts or feelings. But by the end, the tone becomes more calm, hopeful, or confident. This change suggests that the speaker has gone through some emotional or mental growth. They have learned something important, accepted a hard truth, or found a new way of looking at things. This shift shows that the speaker is becoming stronger and more at peace with themselves. The speaker also gives advice to those who will serve time in prison, saying, *"Try to stay calm / and not let your rage / or despair / break you,"* which shows a wise and steady mindset that comes from personal growth.

haya abualkheir, juman azzam, sophia fakhoury, farah omar, alma kujjah