Slide 2:
We wear the mask that grins and lies,
It hides our cheeks and shades our eyes,
This debt we pay to human guile;
With torn and bleeding hearts we smile,
And mouth with myriad subtleties.
Why should the world be overwise,
In counting all our tears and sighs?
Nay, let them only see us, while
We wear the mask.
Slide 3:
We smile, but, O great Christ, our cries
To Thee from tortured souls arise.
We sing, but oh, the clay is vile
Beneath our feet, and long the mile;
But let the world dream otherwise,
We wear the mask.
Paul Laurence Dunbar :
Paul Laurence Dunbar Born on June 27, 1872 in Dayton, Ohio and died on February 9, 1906 at age 33
Inspired by his mother, he began to recite and write poetry at age 6
Second Book called, Majors and Minors, propelled him to national fame
“We Wear the Mask” reflects the racial prejudice that existed during his time
Produce twelve books of poetry, four books of short stories, a play, and five novels
Analysis :
Analysis African Americans were treated badly and had to face harsh prejudice and discrimination. They mask their true thoughts and emotions with a fake appearance. It describes the pain African Americans suffered. They only had their inner strength to help them through the hardships. African Americans felt a lot of agony, but they put on a smile in order to hide their emotions. Many would pray to god in hope that god would hear them and help them.