Symbolism In We Wear The Mask

Individuals use masks as covers to hide our inner feelings, but as George Eliot stated, "Don’t judge a book by its cover.” In “We Wear the Mask” , Paul Lawrence Dunbar uses metaphor, repetition and paradox to express the idea that in order to fit in with an oppressive society, African Americans must conceal the pain and suffering they experience.

Dunbar begins this poem by establishing the metaphor of the mask. The title is repeated in the first line so it must be significant. Masks cover the face, hiding emotion and personality. A mask is often used as a symbol for deception, exaggeration, and lies. In the same capacity, masks are worn at parties and on holidays for comedy and jeer. Masked disguises are used to make us look happy. The mask “grins and lies” , so we cannot always believe what we see, revealing that masks are meant to deceive and conceal. People of all different backgrounds face adversity and yet still manage to put on a ‘happy face’. Some do it because it makes it easier to face the day. Others may do it to elude people from looking too deeply into their lives. Even in pain, the mask must be worn. Over and over again, the mask is employed as a facade.

"We wear the mask” is repeated to reinforce the idea of the horrors African-Americans had to go through in the past and still face today due to discrimination. They keep their sufferings to themselves and put on a show for others. Although Dunbar himself was an African American, he is not simply describing his struggles alone.“We” is stated several times throughout the text. The “we” is not defined so it is not exclusive to African Americans. Really, everyone wants to feel accepted in life. Who hasn’t worn a mask to hide their frustration or disappointment. By repeating "we", wearing the mask becomes all inclusive. Dunbar fails to reveal the true subjects of this piece, so it becomes