Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

“Bound” is a poem by Theodore Roethke, which was published in his collection “Words for the Wind” in 1957. The poem speaks to the nature of human freedom and how it is limited by the physical and emotional boundaries we face in our lives.

The poem begins with the speaker describing a bird that is trapped in a cage. The bird, which is a metaphor for human beings, is unable to fly freely due to the confines of the cage. The speaker notes that the bird “goes nowhere” and that it is “bound to this place.”

As the poem progresses, the speaker shifts from the image of the caged bird to other examples of human bondage. He speaks of the “root-bound” plant that cannot grow due to its limited space, and the “heart-bound” person who is unable to love due to emotional constraints.

Despite these limitations, the poem ends on a hopeful note. The speaker suggests that even though we may be bound in various ways, we can still strive for freedom. He notes that the bird in the cage still sings, the plant still blooms, and the heart-bound person still yearns for love. The poem suggests that even though we may be limited, we can still find ways to express ourselves and strive for greater freedom.

Overall, “Bound” is a poignant meditation on the nature of human freedom and the various constraints that we face in our lives. Through its use of vivid imagery and metaphor, the poem speaks to the universal human experience of feeling bound in one way or another.

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