Question

Read the following extract from the poem “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” and answer the questions that follow by choosing the most appropriate option from the choices given below:

But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams
his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream
his wings are clipped and his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing.

What does the expression “grave of dreams” mean?

[1 mark]

• A. The cage is kept in a graveyard
• B. The bird is dying
• C. The bird has nightmares about graveyards
• D. The bird has no hope of pursuing its dreams

Answer 1

The correct option is D The bird has no hope of pursuing its dreams

Grave of dreams refers to all the dreams and aspirations that seem unattainable. The bird has given up hope of achieving them, and thus the dreams are considered to be dead. The bird stands atop the grave where all the dreams are buried.