Poem- "We Wear the Mask" by Paul Laurence Dunbar

[veronicapuzio]

1. I agree with everyone above when they say that the poem is about the African slaves wearing masks. Overall, I think the meaning of this poem is to show that the slaves no matter how brutal and tiresome the work was, they still had to do it and put on a face that didn't show any hostility towards their masters. This is shown in the line that says "with torn and bleeding hearts we smile". The opressed African Americans had to hide their pain and frustration behind what may seem like a smile. For the Blacks to show this their true feelings for their masters, they would be putting themselves in great risk.

2. I liked this poem alot. It is very powerful, and displays a true image of the way African Americans really felt. But aside from being an ensalved Black, I feel that most people today wear masks to hide the way they are truely feeling sometimes. I can relate to this because if something is bothering me, I always try to hide it with a smile. And that is exactly what those facing oppression did. I also liked the fact that this poem rhymed. Unlike the other ones I've read this one had a rhyme scheme. It was very easy to read as well.

3. Answering Alex's question: The meaning of the word "guile" is deceit. So I think that the line means that the African Americans were so cunning in the way they hid their feelings. Also that the mask is the debt the Blacks have to pay in order the be treated the way they wanted to be treated.
My (Q): Do you feel that in today's world you are wearing a mask? Why or why not?

[deannazaha]

1. I believe that the overall meaning of this poem is that many times we have to "hide" behind a mask to fit in. As previously states, at this period in time African Americans were greatly discriminated against. Perhaps through this poem, Paul Laurence Dunb was trying to say how difficult it was to blend in. They had to endure so much ridicule, and behind their mask they suffered. But on the outside they tried to show strength; they tried to show everyone that they were un-phased and standing strong through all the hatred. The first two lines, "We wear the mask that grins and lies, It hides our cheeks and shades our eyes," refer to how they try to mask the pain they feel from the way they are being treated as a race. On the outside the smile, while behind the smile there is suffering. The "mask" that they where lies to all that see them because it does not show the true emotions that they are feeling.

2. In response to Veronica's question, I do believe that in today's world we all wear some kind of mask. We all want to fit in and be what others want us to be at some point in our lives and therefore we may wear a mask to either look like the ideal person or act as the ideal person. Therefore we hide our true selves from the world in order to be seen as something different. I feel that no one believes that they are perfect, and in fact try to hide some of their flaws from the world. So in conclusion, yes I do believe that in today's world we wear masks. My question: By the words of Dunb, what seems to be his hope for the future?