Discuss the poem's use of the theme (Culture and Identity). What is the meaning that we construct from the poem? What is the insight about life that we can derive from it?
The poem “We Wear the Mask” was written during the post-civil war era. Paul Laurence Dunbar was never enslaved, however, both of his parents had been slaves. The social identity of individuals is related to their ethnic and cultural identities which provide them a perception of purpose in life. Raised in period when racism was common, Dunbar faced many hardships in society that did not let African Americans succeed in life based on their race. African American men like Dunbar encountered many socio-cultural, academic, and destructive stressors that created tension and identity conflicts. In this poem, it is clear that Dunbar is not happy, but tries to fake his happiness regarding the treatment his race and himself received in the society as he mentions, “We wear the mask that grins and lies.” The meaning and insight about life we can derive from this poem is that our cultural background, race and skin color can be a barrier that prevents one from climbing the societal ladder, and we can’t do anything about …show more content…
Why and how is the imagery significant in that particular poem?
The imagery examples Dunbar used in his poem is “bleeding hearts” which represents how African Americans felt inside when they were not given the same opportunity and rights as others in the land of the free. He also mentions wordings such as “cries” and “tortured souls” which represents the crying opposition of African Americans towards racism, but every time they raise their voice they are treated badly by the whites so they “wear the mask that grins and lies.” The imagery is significant because it represents the suffering of African Americans that made them question their existence and identity.
Discuss the poem's use of voice (speaker). How is the voice significant in that particular
The poem “We Wear the Mask” was written during the post-civil war era. Paul Laurence Dunbar was never enslaved, however, both of his parents had been slaves. The social identity of individuals is related to their ethnic and cultural identities which provide them a perception of purpose in life. Raised in period when racism was common, Dunbar faced many hardships in society that did not let African Americans succeed in life based on their race. African American men like Dunbar encountered many socio-cultural, academic, and destructive stressors that created tension and identity conflicts. In this poem, it is clear that Dunbar is not happy, but tries to fake his happiness regarding the treatment his race and himself received in the society as he mentions, “We wear the mask that grins and lies.” The meaning and insight about life we can derive from this poem is that our cultural background, race and skin color can be a barrier that prevents one from climbing the societal ladder, and we can’t do anything about …show more content…
Why and how is the imagery significant in that particular poem?
The imagery examples Dunbar used in his poem is “bleeding hearts” which represents how African Americans felt inside when they were not given the same opportunity and rights as others in the land of the free. He also mentions wordings such as “cries” and “tortured souls” which represents the crying opposition of African Americans towards racism, but every time they raise their voice they are treated badly by the whites so they “wear the mask that grins and lies.” The imagery is significant because it represents the suffering of African Americans that made them question their existence and identity.
Discuss the poem's use of voice (speaker). How is the voice significant in that particular