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We War The Mask By Paul Laurence Dunbar

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We War The Mask By Paul Laurence Dunbar
Paul Laurence Dunbar’s poem “We Wear the Mask” (1897) reflects how African Americans put on a “mask” in order for them to get through everyday life. The “mask” is the main symbol of this poem. The poem begins, “We wear the mask that grins and lies, it hides our checks and shades our eyes” (Dunbar, 1897, p. 1808). The “mask” hides their true feels, shows a fake smile, and hides their pain. Symbolism is used throughout Dunbar’s poems. “Sympathy” (1899) speaks of a “caged bird” (Dunbar, p. 1809). The “caged bird” is a metaphor for the African American slaves who have been denied freedom. The verse “I know what the caged bird feels” (Dunbar, 1899, p. 1809) is repeated several times. The “caged bird” can smell, feel, and see the world around it,
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