Poetry Analysis

We Wear the Mask (1896)

Secrecy is an integral part of the human life, some people talk about working in silence and let the success speak for you, other people talk about telling people your plan will make them jealousy and eventually the same people might jeopardize your plans. The common aspect is secrecy people will hide their sorrows, but will always show theory success either fake or genuine. The poem We Wear the Mask (1896) by Paul Laurence Dunbar is a perfect example of the life human beings live, they wear a mask to hide their tears, wearing the mask at this moment symbolizes the aspect of hiding your sorrows but showing people that you are okay even if in reality it is a front. This is very common on social media, which begs the question do people still wear the mask?

The poem talks about the various instances where people are wearing a mask, “Why should the world be over-wise, in counting all our tears and sighs? Nay, let them only see us, while We wear the mask.” Particularly this line advices people not to share business with people or rather not to air their dirty laundry in public. The main is that let them see us while we wear the mask, because again people you think you can confide in, will show their true colors during tragedy. The poem utilizing symbolism communicates the message of being keeping your life details t yourself or the love ones, although it does not warn about the consequences for not wearing a mask.

In conclusion, your plans, happiness or sorrow should remain with you or your love ones, wear the mask so that you will regret in future. Although it is the human nature to confide is solace from fellow human beings consider carefully who will not wear the mask around. some people have understood this concept and people still wear the mask.

References

Dunbar, P. L. (1896). We wear the mask. Lyrics of Lowly Life, 167.