We Wear the Mask By Paul Laurence Dunbar Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

We Wear the Mask By Paul Laurence Dunbar - Essay ExampleThis paper get out present an analysis of the poem highlighting its meaning and some of the devices used by Dunbar to enhance the newspaper he developed throughout the poem.From the title of the poem, We Wear the Mask, Dunbar introduces the theme that he wishes to discuss in his poem. In the first stanza, he highlights that the pretend they wear serves to help them smile, and deceive the world that they are happy. The same mask serves to keep away their cheeks and eyes from the worlds closer analysis. However, beneath the mask, they are pitiful intense pain and mourning because of the human guile mentioned in line 3 of the first stanza. Evidently, Dunbar speaks in reference of African Americans suffering from the exploitation of slavery and other evils perpetrated by slave masters hurting the slaves. Despite their suffering, they mask their original feelings and pretend that they are content with the situation just as it i s (Dunbar).The second stanza begins with an ironing tone because Dunbar asks wherefore the world should make efforts of being over-wise. This is a pure irony because Dunbar makes it look like considering the grievances of African Americans is release overboard in the realm of wisdom. In his opinion, the world should only remain wise enough to be able to see their smiling faces because they wear the mask. This means that the world will never recognize the ample suffering experienced by the African Americans and will always consider them satisfied with their position as slaves. This also brings in the aspect of racism and the negative effects suffered by the minority groups specifically the African Americans. Although they are discriminated against, they are not allowed to voice out their suffering or even their ideas. In the experience stanza, Dunbar highlights that African Americans seek intervention from Jesus Christ, who is the only one who can perceive their true suffering. O n the other hand, the world never recognizes their cries