Question

Which lines from "Sympathy" best convey the idea that physical pain is part of the anguish of imprisonment?
“I know what the caged bird feels, alas!
When the sun is bright on the upland slopes;”
“For he must fly back to his perch and cling
When he fain would be on the bough a-swing;”
“I know why the caged bird sings, ah me,
When his wing is bruised and his bosom sore,—”
“But a plea, that upward to Heaven he flings—
I know why the caged bird sings!”

Answer 1

The lines that most directly show physical pain are:

“I know why the caged bird sings, ah me,
When his wing is bruised and his bosom sore,—”

They explicitly name a bruised wing and a sore bosom, making physical injury part of the bird’s (and thus the imprisoned person’s) anguish. The lines about being forced back to his perch also convey restriction and frustration but not explicit physical pain.