Paul Laurence Dunbar's poem "Sympathy" is about having a deep knowledge of and empathy for individuals who are oppressed, limited, or marginalized. The poem examines issues of yearning for liberation, the lingering sorrow of imprisonment, and the determined human spirit in the face of difficulty thrRead more
Paul Laurence Dunbar’s poem “Sympathy” is about having a deep knowledge of and empathy for individuals who are oppressed, limited, or marginalized. The poem examines issues of yearning for liberation, the lingering sorrow of imprisonment, and the determined human spirit in the face of difficulty through the metaphor of the caged bird. It emphasizes the desire for independence and the pursuit of a fulfilling life while also noting the psychological and physical damage that may be caused by confinement. The primary idea encourages the reader to consider the value of compassion and the necessity of social justice by focusing on the strength of empathy and the acknowledgment of common human experiences.
See less
Imagery: Imagery is used to make the readers perceive things involving their five senses. For example, “When the sun is bright on the upland slopes”, “And the river flows like a stream of glass” and “I know why he beats his wing.” Assonance: Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds in the same liRead more
Sympathy Summary
See less