Final answer:
In Maya Angelou's "Caged Bird," the cage is a symbol representing confinement and a lack of freedom, contrasting with the desire for liberty.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the poem "Caged Bird" by Maya Angelou, the cage is a symbol that represents confinement and a lack of freedom. This metaphorical cage illustrates the struggle for freedom experienced by the bird, which can also be an allegory for human struggles against oppression and confinement. The cage restricts the bird's movement, contrasting with the free bird that experiences liberty and the openness to fly wherever it wishes, as portrayed in the poem. Maya Angelou uses this powerful imagery to evoke the intense desire for freedom and the impacts of captivity.