THE PARROT IN THE CAGE | Four Levels

Four levels of the poem "The Parrot In The Cage". "The Parrot In The Cage" is written by Kabi Siromani Lekhnath Poudyal (1885-1966). Lekhnath Podyal is regarded as the founding father of modern Nepali poetry literature (Kabi Siromani) in twentieth-century. His most important contribution is believed to enrichment and refinement of its language rather than to its philosophical breadth. The best of Lekhnath's poems adhered to the old-fashioned conventions of Sanskrit poetics (kavya). Lekhnath, the first modern Nepali poet, wrote most valuable classical style of Nepali Poems. His poems are very much popular until today which often mentioned contemporary social and political issues as well. It is believed there were the first glimmerings of the poetic spirit that was to come after him.

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Summary Of "The Parrot In The Cage"

Four Levels Of "The Parrot In The Cage"

1. Literal Comprehension: A parrot is in a cage, and he thinks it is his fate. He finds neither peace nor rest in the cage. Eve in his dream, he finds himself oppressed. The parrot's parents and relatives are in jungle, which is his real home. From the cage, he cannot express his pain to them.
He thinks that he might have flown to different countries. But, now his fate has put him in the hell, the cage, to forest wondering child. Cool waters and shades are in the green jungle and the fruits are delicious there. All those things are vanished dreams today and only he has is fear in his mind. Delightful shades of the green forests, affections of the friends and family in eating and wandering together has all gone away. They are only his dreams now.
He thinks that his parent might have been longing for him and that they might have tears in their eyes. The fate has separated the parrot with his parents. The bird sees his enemies all around. He finds no one to believe in. He is in confusion.
He desires to break the hell, cage, which has debarred his freedom. His pointed beak has been blunted and his wings and feet are restricted by the cage.
When he remembers what his fate has given him, he passes his days madly. Before the pains become unbearable, he thinks, he must die. He thinks that his fate has conspired against him.
His throat is dry, the cage is sharp and tight. People compel him to speak which he hates. When he refuses to speak, they poke him with a stick. His life is imprisoned and forced to talk with the people around him. He curses his fate for such cruel pleasure. Then, he tells god that he did not just provide him speech, reasoning but also scolding threats and an enclosure.
People enjoy anguishing him in the cage. He tells that human activities are sinful, they are doing crime. He requests god to make him free. Humans are careless towards right things, and exploit till the end. And how can this be said kind. He requests got to give this earth to human only. Do not create parrot or give him a place in heaven.

2. Interpretation: The poem advocates freedom to all the creatures. The parrot is metaphorically used, which can be compared to all the Nepalese people living in the Rana period. The poem portrays the situation of Rana regime. The poem symbolically shows the sorrowful description of human life, injustice done to them and their desire to get freedom. The poem also reveals that in difficult situation, they think of god. In this way, the poem also exhibits that Nepalese people are fatalistic.

3. Critical Thinking: The poem has taught that people should be fatalistic. In its difficult situation, the parrot is presented as a passive creative which is not a good moral-people should revolt against oppression and injustice over them. Simply worshiping god cannot make people free from domination, the cage. Thus, the poem lacks this vigour. It teaches the classiest ideology.

4. Assimilation: So far I am taught that you yourself is responsible for your situation. If we continuously hope for miracle to happen, it is simply a day dream which is not going to happen. The poem has compelled people to think about other options to get freedom and to end this injustice.

See Complete Four Levels :-

FOUR LEVELS OF "THE PARROT IN THE CAGE"