Ralph Ellison’s Invisible Man, “We Wear The Mask” by Laurence Dunbar, and “Black and Blue” by Louis Armstrong have consistent themes that connect back to the struggle of discovering who you are and black culture. The concepts depicted in “We Wear the Mask” are applicable to multiple scenarios. Because it was written by a descendant of slaves, it relates to slavery and all struggles the black community endured. The poem discusses the idea of conforming to a person other than yourself, a topic relatable to most people. This concept also goes back to sadness and melancholy. The line “with torn and bleeding hearts we smile” (Dunbar) can resonate with many people who are hurting, but working to hide their pain. In an attempt to prevent rewarding
