Poetry Analysis We Wear the Mask

Poetry Analysis
Name
Institution
The poem by Dunbar, "We Wear the Mask," reflects the poet's sad sentiments and plea, "We smile, but oh great Christ, our cries." The poet talks about how people conceal the sentiments from the world and the cost of this discretion. Dunbar creatively composes the poem into three stanzas and talks about wearing the mask of sentimental discretion. Historical perspectives of its interpretation suggest black Americans' plight and the hidden pain due to fear for societal judgment. Furthermore, the poem follows a regular rhyme scheme pattern. The general idea of the poem is about the suffering of humanity. Dunbar develops a tone that criticizes how humans pretend to be something they cannot evade judgment from others. Metaphorically, Dunbar compares perseverance during oppression to wearing a mask that hides the agony and creates an unreal joyful façade. The poet addresses several issues by incorporating themes such as lies and deceit, suffering, race, and identity.
Considering the background of Dunbar and the events during the period between 1872-1906, some perspectives drawn from the poem point towards black people's experience in America. Dunbar's ideas directly reference black people's lives who had to conceal their suffering in a harsh and unsympathetic society. The race is a silent theme, but it is primarily depicted in describing the nature of suffering. Moreover, the point can be understood against the context of black people's experiences in America since the speaker uses the syllable "We" to express his thoughts. Also, "the world" has been used to refer to American society intentionally. Although the poet disputes the mask is deceiving, he also advocates for the mask against the hostile American community. Dunbar further tells his people that "Nay, let them only see us, while"/"We wear the mask"(Dunbar, 2008, lines 8-9). The last line of the second and last stanza, "We wear the mask" (9-15), represents the plea of solidarity against forces of inequality in America. Furthermore, the third stanza, "We sing, but oh the clay is vile"/ "Beneath our feet, and long the mile," is symbolic of the tough journey towards racial equality.
Dunbar describes the struggles of people undergoing oppression. Moreover, the poet represents a community's voice that is scared to show that they are suffering because of societal judgment. The poet uses the word mask metaphorically to represent the pretense of joy among humans while they undergo suffering and oppression. This group of people develops a dual personality with their true self deeply hidden and a personality presented primarily to...