What does a Panther even look like?

But really, I don't even know what a panther is. So that got me thinking about the symbolism of the poem. Without the title, I never would've thought of a Panther, so why should it be about a panther? It shouldn't. The whole poem is an extended and almost implied metaphor comparing an imprisoned or confined man to a caged panther. Both ave lost the will to escape what is confining them, but dream of the life outside the bars, figuratively or metaphorically.

Then that got me to thinking that maybe the panther was chosen because it is unknown. The reader will assume that a panther is similar to a lion or tiger, but really has no idea. Similarly, a man chained down by racism or an innocent man that is put in jail for life may seem like every other different racial man or convict in the world, so people are quick to stereotype. These men lose hope in letting the truth be known, and only find comfort in their dreams.