Final answer:
The main conflict in Maya Angelou's "Caged Bird" is that the caged bird longs for the freedom of the free bird. The metaphor of the bird encapsulates the themes of freedom and confinement which are central to the poem.
Step-by-step explanation:
The main conflict in Maya Angelou's poem "Caged Bird" is captured in option (c): The caged bird wants the life of the free bird. The poem employs the metaphor of a bird to draw a distinction between those who are free and those who are oppressed. The caged bird, despite its attempts to sing for freedom, remains trapped and yearns for the same liberties the free bird takes for granted. The poem serves as an allegory for the human struggle against oppression and the desire for freedom that is innate in every individual.
In the context of this poem, the bird conveys connotations of freedom when considering the free bird, and of confinement when considering the caged bird. The caged bird represents individuals who are restrained by societal, physical, or ideological barriers, longing for the same freedom that the free bird symbolizes. This imagery reinforces the poem's significant theme of contrasting experiences of freedom and confinement, associated with broader topics such as civil rights and the fight for equality.