Poetry Analysis We Wear the Mask
The essay assignment for this week is to compose an essay of at least 750 words in which you offer your interpretation of a literary element (such as theme, imagery, symbolism, or characterization) in one of the assigned poems. You may choose any poem for the examples that provided.Tips for the Essay
Open your introduction with an engaging opener, such as a question, quote from the poem, or interesting idea. Then, connect to the poem and mention the title and the author. End your introduction with a thesis statement that interprets one literary element of the poem (such as theme, imagery, symbolism, or characterization).
The body paragraphs should support your thesis. Present specific aspects of the poem that help to illustrate your points. Make sure to quote from the poem and analyze specific lines that support your argument. Typically, body paragraphs will contain at least two short quotations each as supporting evidence.
Include a strong concluding paragraph that summarizes your main points and explains the significance of the thesis. Finish this paragraph with a strong and satisfying ending.
APA Reminder Use APA style for formatting the essay and for source citations. Begin with a title page and use proper font and spacing. End with a separate references page.
Cummings, “Next to of Course God America I”
Dunbar, “We Wear the Mask”
Halliday, “The Value of Education”
Hayden, “Those Winter Sundays
Robinson, “Richard Cory”
Roethke, “My Papa’s Waltz”
Shakespeare, “Let Me Not to the Marriage of True Minds”
Shakespeare, “My Mistress’ Eyes Are Nothing Like the Sun
Shakespeare, “Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer’s Day?”
Smith, “Not Waving but Drowning”
Stevens, “Anecdote of the Jar”
Yeats, “The Second Coming”
Poetry Analysis
Name
Institution
The poem by Dunbar, "We Wear the Mask," reflects the poet's sad sentiments and plea, "We smile, but oh great Christ, our cries." The poet talks about how people conceal the sentiments from the world and the cost of this discretion. Dunbar creatively composes the poem into three stanzas and talks about wearing the mask of sentimental discretion. Historical perspectives of its interpretation suggest black Americans' plight and the hidden pain due to fear for societal judgment. Furthermore, the poem follows a regular rhyme scheme pattern. The general idea of the poem is about the suffering of humanity. Dunbar develops a tone that criticizes how humans pretend to be something they cannot evade judgment from others. Metaphorically, Dunbar compares perseverance during oppression to wearing a mask that hides the agony and creates an unreal joyful façade. The poet addresses several issues by incorporating themes such as lies and deceit, suffering, race, and identity.
Considering the background of Dunbar and the events during the period between 1872-1906, some perspectives drawn from the poem point towards black people's experience in America. Dunbar's ideas directly reference black people's lives who had to conceal their suffering in a harsh and unsympathetic society. The race is a silent theme, but it is primarily depicted in describing the nature of suffering. Moreover, the point can be understood against the context of black people's experiences in America since the speaker uses the syllable "We" to express his thoughts. Also, "the world" has been used to refer to American society intentionally. Although the poet disputes the mask is deceiving, he also advocates for the mask against the hostile American community. Dunbar further tells his people that "Nay, let them only see us, while"/"We wear the mask"(Dunbar, 2008, lines 8-9). The last line of the second and last stanza, "We wear the mask" (9-15), represents the plea of solidarity against forces of inequality in America. Furthermore, the third stanza, "We sing, but oh the clay is vile"/ "Beneath our feet, and long the mile," is symbolic of the tough journey towards racial equality.
Dunbar describes the struggles of people undergoing oppression. Moreover, the poet represents a community's voice that is scared to show that they are suffering because of societal judgment. The poet uses the word mask metaphorically to represent the pretense of joy among humans while they undergo suffering and oppression. This group of people develops a dual personality with their true self deeply hidden and a personality presented primarily to...