Conformity In Laurence Dunbar's Poem, People Wear The Mask
"It's like living on the outside of society and seeing what a crock of shit it is, but then approaching it again with a sense of humor. I mean, when you're able to see society as this sort of funky, funny illusion, it makes it easier to deal with it because there is no rhyme or reason to the way it works."
RuPaul, on fringe culture
(Genre, March '99)
Rebellion. *It's about articulating that little inner voice that's in all of us, the voice which resists being assimilated into the mass conformity that is American society. The quality of our interaction has diminished so much that we barely recognize each other as human. The "American way of life" has destroyed our individuality while pretending to cater to it, and the natural interdependence …show more content…
The poem shows how people wear a facade from the world. We all wear masks in front of others whether it is purposely or naturally. It shows how people hide the way they really feel. It seems so many people in this world wear masks. So many are afraid to show others what they're really like. It's amazing what problems can come from it; Problems that may not have existed if the masks weren't there. Everyone wishes to feel accepted in life, and the character in Dunbar's poem is no exception. We wish to fit in with our peers, so we "wear the mask that grins and lies." (Dunbar, ). We will hide what we really feel so that we may feel accepted. On the other hand, no one likes being humiliated. It is a horrible experience and most people would do anything to avoid it. Most would wear a mask while smiling "with torn and bleeding hearts." (Dunbar, ), So we hide our true feelings to avoid humiliation. So, one uses a mask to hide …show more content…
Everyone has his or her own masks to wear. Some people wear their masks by choice, other times it is just horrible fate that people end up with what they have. NOTHING is perfect. But, at the same time, perfection lies in the imperfect world. I know that sounds like a contradictory thing to say... but perfection is something to stumble upon. Our own hands cannot create it; it's something that the fates can only control. Embrace chaos before it bites you in the ass. That's my thought for the
RuPaul, on fringe culture
(Genre, March '99)
Rebellion. *It's about articulating that little inner voice that's in all of us, the voice which resists being assimilated into the mass conformity that is American society. The quality of our interaction has diminished so much that we barely recognize each other as human. The "American way of life" has destroyed our individuality while pretending to cater to it, and the natural interdependence …show more content…
The poem shows how people wear a facade from the world. We all wear masks in front of others whether it is purposely or naturally. It shows how people hide the way they really feel. It seems so many people in this world wear masks. So many are afraid to show others what they're really like. It's amazing what problems can come from it; Problems that may not have existed if the masks weren't there. Everyone wishes to feel accepted in life, and the character in Dunbar's poem is no exception. We wish to fit in with our peers, so we "wear the mask that grins and lies." (Dunbar, ). We will hide what we really feel so that we may feel accepted. On the other hand, no one likes being humiliated. It is a horrible experience and most people would do anything to avoid it. Most would wear a mask while smiling "with torn and bleeding hearts." (Dunbar, ), So we hide our true feelings to avoid humiliation. So, one uses a mask to hide …show more content…
Everyone has his or her own masks to wear. Some people wear their masks by choice, other times it is just horrible fate that people end up with what they have. NOTHING is perfect. But, at the same time, perfection lies in the imperfect world. I know that sounds like a contradictory thing to say... but perfection is something to stumble upon. Our own hands cannot create it; it's something that the fates can only control. Embrace chaos before it bites you in the ass. That's my thought for the