“Sympathy” by Paul Laurence Dunbar: Inspiration of the Award-Winning Novella “You Are a Bird” by Breezy Van Lit

The Shimmer Tree Books award-winning novella You Are a Bird by Breezy Van Lit was inspired by “Sympathy,” by Paul Laurence Dunbar. You can read about how the author discovered this poem and how that led to his writing of You Are a Bird in this blog post.

The following is the text and a discussion of the meaning of the poem, “Sympathy.”

“Sympathy” by Paul Laurence Dunbar is a poignant and deeply moving poem that explores the theme of racial oppression and the yearning for freedom. Written in the late 19th century, Dunbar, an African American poet, uses vivid imagery and metaphorical language to convey the harsh realities of slavery and the desire for liberation.

The poem opens with the speaker expressing his empathy for a caged bird, using the metaphor of a “caged bird” to symbolize the African American experience during the era of slavery and racial segregation. The bird is described as singing a “doleful tune,” highlighting the sorrow and despair that accompany a life of captivity and oppression. The caged bird’s song becomes a powerful metaphor for the artistic expression and resilience of the African American community despite the constraints placed upon them.

Dunbar skillfully employs sensory imagery to convey the visceral impact of the bird’s captivity. He writes of the bird’s “barred” wings and “scarred” feet, emphasizing the physical and emotional wounds inflicted upon the oppressed. The image of the caged bird beating its wings against the bars is a poignant representation of the struggle for freedom and the yearning to break free from societal constraints.

As the poem progresses, the speaker’s empathy intensifies, and he expresses a profound desire to understand the caged bird’s feelings. He writes, “I know why the caged bird beats his wing / Till its blood is red on the cruel bars.” This line suggests a shared experience of pain and suffering between the speaker and the bird, drawing a parallel between the oppression faced by African Americans and the confinement of the caged bird.

The poem takes a turn as the speaker extends the metaphor to his own experience as an African American, stating, “It is not a carol of joy or glee, / But a prayer that he sends from his heart’s deep core.” Here, the speaker highlights the transformative power of art and expression, suggesting that the caged bird’s song is not merely a song but a heartfelt prayer for freedom and equality. The use of the word “core” underscores the sincerity and depth of the bird’s emotions, reflecting the profound longing for liberation.

Dunbar’s choice of the word “sympathy” in the title is significant. The speaker does not just feel pity or compassion for the caged bird; he experiences a profound sympathy that stems from a shared history of oppression. The poem becomes a powerful commentary on the dehumanizing effects of enslavement and the universal human longing for freedom and dignity.

Author Breezy Van Lit taps into Dunbar’s theme very literally by placing You Are a Bird‘s protagonist into a cage. The story is written in 2nd person perspective, so YOU are the bird in the cage, coming to the realization that you are a captive, clinging to a perch, though you were meant to be free.

Launch into a flight of imagination and insights, into a world inspired by Paul Laurence Dunbar’s classic “Sympathy,” and read You Are a Bird today!