Not Quite Free: The Theme of Persistent Discrimination in "Sympathy" Anonymous College

Paul Laurence Dunbar’s “Sympathy” is a twenty-one line, three-stanza poem that metaphorically compares African-American life to that of a caged bird. The author suggests that African-Americans are trapped in an inescapable cage. It is interesting to note that Dunbar was never a slave because he was born after the Union’s victory in the American Civil War. He did, however, experience the racism that existed in its aftermath. These facts prove that the poem is not only about slave life but what life was like for supposed “free” African-Americans after the Emancipation Proclamation. Dunbar’s use of figurative language in “Sympathy” illustrates the fact that even though slavery is nonexistent, African-Americans are still treated as second-class citizens.

“Sympathy” is a very lyrical poem as it follows a consistent rhyme scheme and is very easy to read. Since it is written in formal English, rather than in dialect, readers have an easier time seeing what the author is trying to say. Poems written in dialect help preserve authenticity by showing the audience the accents that the people spoke in at the time and region. However, it is hard for the audience to read and understand it the first time through. Rhyme schemes tend to make...