What are the poetic devices used in the poem "Caged Bird"?

The "free bird" of the first stanza that "leaps" and "floats" and "dips" in the sun's rays and "dares to claim the sky" is a metaphor for white people, with their racial privilege that allows them to feel so entitled and free. A metaphor compares two unalike things, where one is said to be another; it does not have literal meaning, only figurative. Because these birds are anthropomorphic (given human traits, ambitions, and emotions), we would not necessarily read them as symbols (with both literal and figurative meanings). The free birds are not confined by their race, and they enjoy all the benefits that are conferred by such privilege. The "caged bird" of the second and third stanzas is a metaphor for persons of color. Rather than enjoying the same freedoms and opportunities as the free birds, they are held in a "narrow cage" with "clipped" wings and "tied" feet; they are only able to "sing of freedom" but not actually enjoy it. The "dreams" of the caged bird are personified, given the ability to die and be buried in a "grave" on which the bird stands. The trees are likewise personified as "sighing."

In the poem "Caged Bird," Maya Angelou uses many poetic devices, including anthropomorphism and metaphor. Anthropomorphism is when an animal, an inanimate object, or any other non-human entity is given human characteristics or emotions. The most notable example of anthropomorphism in this poem is Angelou's choice of pronouns for the birds. She uses "he/his" pronouns instead of the typical "it/its," a subtle tactic that often creates a more relatable character for readers. A metaphor is a figure of speech that, for rhetorical effect, directly refers to one thing by mentioning another. The entire poem is a metaphor for the differences between the lived experiences of white Americans and African Americans. The free bird is a metaphor for white Americans, who are free to live and move throughout the world as they please, while the caged bird represents the systemic oppression and imprisonment faced by African Americans within the United States.

In "Caged Bird," Maya Angelou uses several poetic devices including alliteration, imagery, and symbolism. Alliteration, the repetition of consonant sounds, is used for emphasis on phrasing. An example from the poem includes “his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream”.
Imagery is used throughout Angelou’s work. Imagery is the author’s use of words to create a sensory experience for the reader. For example, “the caged bird sings with a fearful trill” helps us almost hear the unpleasant sound of the bird’s cry. Another example from the poem is “and the trade winds soft through the sighing trees” provides a more pleasant auditory experience for the reader.
Symbolism is an object or event in a poem that represents something beyond itself. Symbolism is the most powerful poetic device used in “Caged Bird.” Angelou’s contrast of the “free bird” and the “caged bird” represents humans who are “free” as opposed to “caged” in some way. The “caged” individuals may be held back by beliefs or fears or even others who are holding them back or enslaving them in some way. Angelou portrays the “free bird” as one who has the confidence to “claim the sky." In contract, the “caged bird” is associated with “the grave of dreams” and “a nightmare scream”. Alliteration, imagery, and symbolism are all used by Angelou to create this classic poem.