Introduction
"The Sparrow" has two eight-line stanzas in which the poet first
presents a specific occurrence and then offers an analogy between
that incident and larger social issues. Both stanzas use the same
rhythm and rhyme scheme. In the first stanza, the speaker tells of
one chirping bird that they ignored. In the second stanza, the
speaker explains the metaphorical meaning of birds.
About the Poet
Paul Laurence Dunbar
Paul Laurence Dunbar was born on June 27, 1872, to two formerly enslaved people from
Kentucky. He became one of the first influential Black poets in American literature and was
internationally acclaimed for his dialect verse in collections such as Majors and Minors
(Hadley & Hadley, 1895) and Lyrics of Lowly Life (Dodd, Mead and Company, 1896
Dunbar’s writing is recognized as providing the most authentic
representations of African American life in the United States during the
late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
Birds Appearance:
“Beside my window flutters down”
The bird descends near the speaker’s window, suggesting a close proximity to
the speaker and creating a sense of immediacy.
“A moment chirps its little strain”
The bird chirps a brief, melodic tune, expressing its song or call. The use of
the word “strain” implies that the song is simple and sweet.
“Then taps upon my window-pane”
After chirping its tune, the bird lightly taps on the speaker’s windowpane. This
action can be seen as an attempt to capture the speaker’s attention.
“And chirps again, and hops along”
The bird chirps once more, potentially repeating its previous melodic phrase,
and then continues its movement by hopping along. These actions serve as
further attempts to engage the speaker’s notice.
“To call my notice to its song”
The purpose of the bird’s chirping and hopping is to attract the speaker’s
attention and draw notice to its song. It seeks acknowledgment and
recognition.
“But I work on, nor heed its lay”
Despite the bird’s efforts to gain the speaker’s attention, the speaker remains
focused on their work and does not pay attention to the bird’s song. The word
“lay” refers to the bird’s musical composition or performance.
“Till, in neglect, it flies away”
Due to the speaker’s indifference, the bird eventually flies away, suggesting
that the lack of recognition or response leads it to move on to other pursuits.
The speaker’s neglect causes the bird to abandon its attempts to engage with
them.
Symbolization of the bird
“So birds of peace and hope and love”
The speaker introduces the metaphorical birds of peace, hope, and love.
These birds symbolize positive and uplifting elements that can bring joy and
comfort to our lives.
“Come fluttering earthward from above”
The birds are depicted as descending from above, suggesting a sense of
heavenly or divine origin. Their arrival brings a sense of grace and beauty to
the earthly realm.
“To settle on life’s window-sills”
The birds metaphorically settle on the window-sills of life, representing their
presence and potential influence on our daily existence. They offer solace and
relief from the burdens and challenges we face.
“And ease our load of earthly ills”
The birds’ presence and the qualities they represent, such as peace, hope,
and love, alleviate the hardships and troubles we experience in our earthly
lives. They provide a sense of comfort and respite.
“But we, in traffic’s rush and din”
The speaker acknowledges that despite the presence of these uplifting
elements, people are often preoccupied with the hustle and bustle of daily life.
The “traffic’s rush and din” symbolize the distractions and busyness that
prevent us from recognizing and embracing the positive influences around us.
“Too deep engaged to let them in”
The speaker suggests that due to our deep engagement with the demands
and pressures of life, we often fail to allow the birds of peace, hope, and love
to enter our hearts and minds. We are too consumed by our daily routines to
fully appreciate their presence and impact.
“With deadened heart and sense plod on”
The speaker laments that our hearts and senses have become dulled and
desensitized. We continue to trudge through life, unaware of the beauty and
blessings that could uplift us if we were more receptive.
Conclusion
“Nor know our loss till they are gone”
The poem concludes by emphasizing that we often fail to recognize the
significance of these positive influences until they are gone. Only in their
absence do we realize the loss and the impact they could have had on our
lives.
