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we wear the mask (poet's life & body of work (“We Wear the Mask”…
we wear the mask
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theme
the human tendency to hide our true feelings and thoughts from those around us by putting up a facade
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This is not simply dissembling; it is a social survival skill that African Americans developed to avoid drawing unfavorable attention to themselves.
summary
he points specifically to the immense suffering of black people and the necessity of painting on a happy face as a survival tactic.
he emphasizes that slaves, while they may have appeared happy and docile, were in reality paradigms of suffering and strength.
Figurative language
“Why should the world be over-wise, / In counting all our tears and sighs?” (“We Wear the Mask” 6-7).
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“We wear the mask” (“We Wear the Mask” 1, 9, 15).
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“We sing, but oh the clay is vile, / Beneath our feet, and long the mile (“We Wear the Mask” 12-13).
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“We smile, but O great Christ our cries” (“We Wear the Mask” 10).
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