Throughout the poem, Angelou's speaker refers
primarily to the caged bird's desires and restrictions. Classifying the bird's attitudes or
emotions as privileges or obligations requires a shift in perspective.
It
could be argued that this bird has no privileges. Whoever has caged them has established the
conditions. Perhaps the bird's continued ability to sing could be called a privilege, but it is
a natural ability: it has not been bestowed by another.
The caged bird is
obligated to stay in the cage and not to fly, as his wings are clipped. Because his voice is
heard in the distance, reminding others that some birds are still not free, it might be
considered his obligation to warn others of that fact. He sounds a warning to others of the
value of their freedom.
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