Question

Briefly discuss the symbolism of the mask in Dunbar’s poem “We Wear the Mask.” What does it likely represent? Why does Dunbar use the image of a mask?

Answer 1

In “We Wear the Mask,” the mask symbolizes the social inequality present in America at the turn of the twentieth century. Dunbar uses the image of a mask to portray inequality and racism still prevalent in the United States at the time:

We wear the mask that grins and lies,

It hides our cheeks and shades our eyes

African Americans were forced to put on a smile in public and pretend as though they were treated justly:

Why should the world be over-wise,

In counting all our tears and sighs?

Inequality was something that they were forced to live with:

We smile, but, O great Christ, our cries

To thee from tortured souls arise.

Dunbar also uses the mask as a symbol of American hypocrisy in the following lines. Slavery had been abolished in the nation. If Americans were really adamant about changing society, they could do so. Instead, racism and racial inequality were still evident.

But let the world dream otherwise,

We wear the mask!

Answer 2

Perhaps Dunbar uses the image of a mask as wearing a face allows us to conceal our face - enabling us to hide any expression or emotion. In his poem, he mentions how black people felt the need to appear as content or happy when surrounded by people who were white - especially when they felt the opposite. The mask represents the false expressions the blacks had to wear.