Question

Part A

In the third stanza of the poem "Sympathy," what can be inferred about why the bird sings?

Responses

to send a prayer to be released from its cage
to send a prayer to be released from its cage

to keep time to the music in its heart
to keep time to the music in its heart

to try to signal its owner to release it
to try to signal its owner to release it

to attempt to make itself feel better
to attempt to make itself feel better
Question 2
Part B - Points depend on a correct response in Part A.

Which line from the third stanza in the poem best supports the answer in Part A?

Responses

"When he beats his bars and he would be free;"
"When he beats his bars and he would be free;"

"It is not a carol of joy or glee,"
"It is not a carol of joy or glee,"

"But a plea, that upward to Heaven he flings—"
"But a plea, that upward to Heaven he flings—"

"When his wing is bruised and his bosom sore,—"

Answer 1

Bird sings refers to:

Step-by-step explanation:

When he beats his bars and he would be free; It is not a carol of joy or glee, This is the first time that the speaker tells us explicitly why the caged bird is singing: it wants to be "free." This sets up freedom as an important idea in the poem.