3. “Caged Bird” (1983)

A free bird leaps
on the back of the wind
and floats downstream
till the current ends
and dips his wing
in the orange sun rays
and dares to claim the sky.
But a bird that stalks
down his narrow cage
can seldom see through
his bars of rage
his wings are clipped and
his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing.
The caged bird sings
with a fearful trill
of things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged bird
sings of freedom.
The free bird thinks of another breeze
and the trade winds soft through the sighing trees
and the fat worms waiting on a dawn bright lawn
and he names the sky his own.
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.
The caged bird sings
with a fearful trill
of things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged bird
sings of freedom.
Maya Angelou, “Caged Bird” from Shaker, Why Don’t You Sing? Copyright © 1983 by Maya Angelou.  All rights reserved. (Fair Use Exception)
Read the information about Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome below. Then apply this critical theory to “Caged Bird” by Maya Angelou.
In their essay, ““Addressing the Trauma of Racism from a Mental Health Perspective within the African American Community,” Angela Grayson et al. share the following:
Dr. Joy DeGruy, author of Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome, developed a theory that explains the etiology of many of the adaptive survival behaviors in African American communities throughout the United States. She explains that it is a condition that exists as a consequence of multigenerational oppression of Africans and their descendants resulting from centuries of chattel slavery, a form of slavery which was predicated on the belief that Africans were inherently genetically and biologically inferior to White people. As such, Africans were dehumanized as being without spirit, emotions, soul, desires and rights. However, once chattel slavery was abolished and dismantled, African Americans became the targets of institutionalized racism which continues to perpetuate injury today. DeGruy’s research lead her to the acronym M.A.P. which concludes that 1) Multigenerational trauma together with continued oppression leads to 2) Absence of opportunity to heal or access the benefits available in the society which ultimately leads to 3) Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome or PTSS. She also proposed that the ability to identify a shared cultural experience and have a descriptive term—Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome—allows for individuals to identify the experience, articulate it, and express it without guilt, fear, blame, or anger and is a source of healing and strengthening within the African American Community (Grayson et al.).
Grayson, Angela M et al. “Addressing the Trauma of Racism from a Mental Health Perspective within the African American Community.” Delaware Journal of Public Health vol. 6,5 28-30. 7 Nov. 2020, doi:10.32481/djph.2020.11.008

Theoretical Response Assignment Instructions

For each of the critical approaches we study in Critical Worlds, you will write a short response that demonstrates your beginning understanding of the concept by applying the approach to a text. Treat these responses as short essays. The responses are intended to help you find what you do and don’t understand about the critical approach so that we can discuss the approach as a class.

Instructions

Step One: At the end of each section in Critical Worlds, you will find a chapter called “Practicing [Theoretical Approach].” (For example, “Practicing New Criticism”) Read all the works in this section and be prepared to discuss them on our class discussion board or in class.
Step Two: Choose one of the works to write about in your response. For example, you will read all four of the short works in the New Criticism section, but you will only respond to one, perhaps “Recuerdo” by Edna St. Vincent Millay. Refer to our course schedule for due dates.
Step Three: Use the questions that follow the one work you’ve chosen to prompt your response. Your final response should be written as a short essay that considers the key elements of each question, 500-750 words in length (3-4 complete paragraphs). When you directly quote the text, use MLA style and include page or line numbers in parenthetical citations for later reference. Do your best, and please reach out if you need help.
Step Four: Submit your response by copying and pasting it into the discussion board forum designated for this assignment. Do not attach your response as a Word document. Refer to the course schedule for due dates. I strongly recommend that you draft your response in Word of another software program that includes a grammar and spelling checker.
Step Five: Online students are required to respond to two classmates who chose different texts from the one you chose for your response. These responses should both be 100-150 words in length (200-300 words total) and are due by Sunday. Students who attend class in person are not required to post responses to classmates because we will discuss the works in class together. 

Grading

Each short response is worth 25 points.
  • 15 points: theoretical response
  • 10 points: online discussion (5 points per response) OR class attendance.
Responses will be graded on adherence to requirements and thoroughness and thoughtfulness of work—not simply on completion. A response that meets the requirements but is perfunctory in manner may receive a “C.”
Note: I do not expect you to apply the theory perfectly to earn a high grade. These responses are about practicing an approach, not mastering it.