Final answer:
The use of figurative language in "The Caged Bird," such as "his wings are clipped; his feet are tied" and "the caged bird sings; the free bird thinks," underscores the extended metaphor of freedom versus oppression, with clipped wings symbolizing constraints and singing as an expression of spirit and hope.
Step-by-step explanation:
Within the poem "The Caged Bird," the use of figurative language plays a crucial role in drawing the extended metaphor of freedom versus oppression. In particular, two pairs of figurative language that support this metaphor are "his wings are clipped; his feet are tied" and "the caged bird sings; the free bird thinks." The former vividly portrays the physical constraints that prevent the bird from taking flight, signifying oppression, while the latter juxtaposes the reactions of the oppressed and the free, with singing symbolizing the bird's spirit of hope or resistance despite confinement, and thinking representing the free bird's contemplative liberty.
These images are effective because they tap into the readers' senses and emotions, creating a vivid picture of the struggle between the desire for freedom and the reality of confinement. The metaphor of being clipped and tied down resonates deeply with the human experience of being held back, and the contrasting behaviors of the birds (singing versus thinking) convey the internal versus external freedoms.
The downstream flow in the poem can also be symbolic of the effortless freedom the free bird experiences, in contrast to the caged bird's stagnant position. Symbolism and metaphors intertwine to enhance the poem's theme and message, offering rich terrain for analysis and introspection.