Melinda and the Caged Bird

I think Melinda is a lot like the caged bird. Both of them want to be free, but somethings holding them back. They are not truly happy because they fear everything. At the same time they are different. Melinda was sexually assaulted and was uncomfortable telling anyone. She believed that no one would believe her because everyone hated her. The caged bird on the other hand is just singing sadly and not really trying to free. The caged bird pretty much accepted his fate. Melinda didn't.