"A Robin Red Breast in a Cage
Puts all Heaven in a Rage"
1.What does this stanza mean?
Based on the context, I made a conclusion that this stanza represents the outcome and confining one's emotions. In my perspective, by not expressing or exhibiting one's emotional content, it will lead to torment or other forms of anger. For example, the "Robin Red Breast" could be a symbol of a human who has conflicted releasing his or her own feelings. By failing to do that, hidden emotions shall be expressed in a form of animosity and rage. The essence of William Blake's stanza is to convey that inner feelings need to be relinquished or it will translate into strife and spite.
2. How does Blake use a literary device to convey this meaning?
The first line heavily uses symbolism. The cage is a symbol of feelings emotions trying to be set free, but is incapable of doing so because of the locked chambers of fear is consuming it. By syntax and definition, heaven is a term of happiness and bliss; it does not represent rage and fury. Blake uses irony to illustrate the results of confined emotions.
Nice work, Gerald!
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