Analyzing the poem "Sympathy" by Paul Lawrence Dunbar I wondered, "How did the main character follow his heart?" And "Was he successful in doing so?"
Generally speaking, most main characters appear successful in achieving their heart's desire. Only in this poem, from a material point of view, did the attempt appear futile, thus worthy of "sympathy" . The bird is beating its wings against the cage seemingly in vain. But a closer study reveals what I think is a greater kind of success. In its adversity and suffering, the bird lifts its voice in prayer to God, calling upon the Lord from the core of its heart.
This is in line with the most confidential sections of the Vedas. If the inevitable troubles of life can turn one towards God, gaining His ecstatic audience through fervent prayer (SB 1.8.26), then one's mission of human life is considered successful.
Generally speaking, most main characters appear successful in achieving their heart's desire. Only in this poem, from a material point of view, did the attempt appear futile, thus worthy of "sympathy" . The bird is beating its wings against the cage seemingly in vain. But a closer study reveals what I think is a greater kind of success. In its adversity and suffering, the bird lifts its voice in prayer to God, calling upon the Lord from the core of its heart.
This is in line with the most confidential sections of the Vedas. If the inevitable troubles of life can turn one towards God, gaining His ecstatic audience through fervent prayer (SB 1.8.26), then one's mission of human life is considered successful.
I know what the caged bird feels, alas!
When the sun is bright on the upland slopes;
When the wind stirs soft through the springing grass,
And the river flows like a stream of glass;
When the first bird sings and the first bud opes,
And the faint perfume from its chalice steals—
I know what the caged bird feels!
I know why the caged bird beats his wing
Till its blood is red on the cruel bars;
For he must fly back to his perch and cling
When he fain would be on the bough a-swing;
And a pain still throbs in the old, old scars
And they pulse again with a keener sting—
I know why he beats his wing!
I know why the caged bird sings, ah me,
When his wing is bruised and his bosom sore,—
When he beats his bars and he would be free;
It is not a carol of joy or glee,
But a prayer that he sends from his heart’s deep core,
But a plea, that upward to Heaven he flings—
I know why the caged bird sings!
