"We Wear the Mask," one of the most famous poems by Paul Laurence Dunbar, was first published in 1896 as part of Dunbar's collection Majors and Minors. It is considered one of the classic texts of Black American experience and portrays the strain of hiding one's ideas and emotions.
Key Aspects of We Wear the Mask
Tone
The poem's tone is direct and intense, but it is backed with some playfulness and humor.
Setting
As a poem, the piece has no particular setting.
Point of view
The poem uses the first-person plural without identifying a speaker.
Character development
As a poem, this piece has no narrative character development.
Themes
Hiding and Disguise: The poem starts by portraying the...
