Question

How does the last stanza reinforce the speaker's cynicism? check the three boxes that apply. the speaker evokes religious imagery to show the extent of the suffering. the final exclamation point adds emphasis to the repeated message. the speaker reveals that the world doesn't listen to his pleas. the repetition of "we wear the mask" suggests that nothing will change?

Answer 1

The speaker evokes religious imagery to show the extent of the suffering.
The final exclamation point adds emphasis to the repeated message.
The repetition of "We wear the mask" suggests that nothing will change.

Answer 2

In the last stanza, the speaker's cynicism is reinforced by evoking religious imagery to show the extent of the suffering, using a final exclamation point that adds emphasis to the repeated message and repeating the phrase "we wear the mask" that suggests that nothing will change.

In the poem "We Wear the Mask" by Paul Laurence Dunbar, the speaker refers to a group of people, including him, that tend to wear masks to hide their lies. Throughout the poem, the speaker refers to all the feelings hidden by these people, who also pretend to be happy when they are sad. Therefore, the mask, which hides lies, according to the speaker, it also hides feelings and sufferings.

In the last stanza, there is a contrast between what people feel and what they show or others perceive of them. At the same time, their suffering is emphasized by adding a final exclamation point and naming Christ ("We smile, but, O great Christ, our cries"); however, in the last line, the speaker shows that these people are determined to continue hiding their true feelings and sufferings ("We Wear The Mask!").