Final answer:
The theme of Paul Laurence Dunbar's 'Sympathy' is the suffering of African Americans and their desire for freedom, using the metaphor of a caged bird to symbolize the struggle for civil rights and equality.
Step-by-step explanation:
The theme of "Sympathy" by Paul Laurence Dunbar can best be described as the suffering of African Americans and their yearning for freedom. Dunbar uses the metaphor of a caged bird beating its wings against the bars as a powerful symbol for the African American experience during the era of segregation and systemic oppression. It captures the pain and frustration of being imprisoned and the desperate, often futile longing for liberty.
Through his evocative imagery and poignant emotional landscape, Dunbar expresses a universal empathy for those who are oppressed. The poem is not only a reflection on the specific hardships faced by African Americans, but also a broader commentary on the human desire for autonomy and self-determination. Dunbar's work invites readers to engage with these themes on a deep, personal level, fostering a sympathetic understanding of the struggle for civil rights and equality.