WE WEAR THE MASK BY PAUL

LAWRENCE DUNBAR

We Wear the Mask by Paul Laurence Dunbar

‘We Wear the Mask’ by Paul Laurence Dunbar describes the way that “We” put on, and accept
the presence of deceitful masks.

‘We Wear the Mask’ by Paul Laurence Dunbar is a three-stanza poem that is separated into one
set of five lines, one of four, and one of six. The poem is structured in the form of a rondeau. This
form is defined by having 10-15 lines and being organized into three stanzas. The rhyme scheme
of this piece is repetitive, oriented around a refrain. In this case, the pattern is aabba aabc aabac.
The end sounds repeat throughout this piece, with the refrain, “We wear the mask” appearing at
the end of the second and third stanzas.

In regards to meter, the lines follow a pattern of iambic tetrameter. This means that each line
contains four sets of two beats or iambs. They consist of an unstressed and stressed syllable. The
only time the pattern changes are in the refrain, which only contains two sets of beats.

Summary of We Wear the Mask

‘We Wear the Mask’ by Paul Laurence Dunbar describes the way that “We” put on, and accept
the presence of masks.

The poem begins with the speaker stating that “We,” a reference to all of humankind, but
specifically black Americans, put on masks. We wear them, and others use them to ignore the
problems that exist in modern society. They have a deep impact on our understanding of ourselves
and others. Hearts are changed through tearing, and mouths contain endless expressions.

The poem continues on to sarcastically ask why humankind should put out the effort to see behind
the masks. It is so clear that we should take the time, but the world does not seem willing to.
In conclusion, the speaker describes the unsteady foundation on which “We” sing. Positivity and
optimism can only last so long on a faulty foundation.

Analysis of We Wear the Mask

Stanza One

We wear the mask that grins and lies,

It hides our cheeks and shades our eyes,—

This debt we pay to human guile;

With torn and bleeding hearts we smile,

And mouth with myriad subtleties.

In the first stanza of this piece, the speaker begins by utilizing the refrain. It is also the line that
later became the title of the poem. He is using the word “We” to allow the reader to include
themselves in the text. All people are among those who “wear mask[s].”

That being said, Dunbar is well-known as a pioneer of the Harlem Renaissance. This likely means
that the “We” is geared more towards black Americans. The type of masks that “We” wear include
“grins and lies.” One readily puts on another face for any particular situation. Lies, for when one
needs to pretend to be something they aren’t, and grins for getting by in uncomfortable situations.
These masks hide someone’s real “cheeks and…eyes.” It puts one at distance from their
surroundings. The speaker goes on to attribute the masks to be the product of “human guile.” In
this context, guile refers to general deceitfulness. This is an overwhelming human trait. It is nearly
impossible to get through modern life completely as one’s self.

The mask is expanded from one’s face to their heart in the last two lines. It is also one’s own
emotional or moral state that changes from situation to situation. It causes hearts to bleed and tear.
One’s mouth contains a smile but also a “myriad” or a great variety of “subtleties.”

Stanza Two

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.

The fourth stanza of this piece is a quatrain, meaning it contains four lines. These lines begin with
the speaker asking a rhetorical question. He does not expect to receive an answer. This does not
mean the question lacks importance. It is posed to make one consider the state of the world and
perhaps further the question themselves.
He asks why the “world be over-wise” in its counting of “all our tears and sighs?” While this is a
very serious question, it is clear the speaker finds something ironic about it. It does not take much
skill to take in the ”tears and sighs” of the world. These are clear emotional expressions that are
used here to represent the deepest of societal problems. Dunbar was likely referring to the struggle
to achieve equal rights, and overcome segregation and racial violence. Anyone living in the world
can see that these things are present and deeply problematic, even if they are obscured by masks.

Rather than the world taking a very small amount of time to consider the truth behind the mask,
they “only see” the surface. This is due to general ignorance but also a choice. The use of the word
“counting” emphasizes this fact. The troubles of the world are so numerous they are too many to
count. It becomes a strain on those who do not have to deal with them in their everyday lives.

In the final line, the speaker brings back the title of the poem, “We wear the mask.” This line is
used as a reminder that not only are the troubles of the world obscured, they are purposefully
hidden, at least to some extent.

Stanza Three

We smile, but, O great Christ, our crie

To thee from tortured souls arise.

We sing, but oh the clay is vile

Beneath our feet, and long the mile;

But let the world dream otherwise,

We wear the mask!

The final stanza of this piece contains six lines. It begins with the speaker increasing the already
dark nature of the piece. He explains how “We smile” but no matter what the “cries” come out
from “tortured souls.” They “arise” from behind the mask and into the real, knowable world.

He sets up a second contrast in the next lines with a comparison between the “sing[ing]” that “We”
participate in and the ground on which “We” stand. One is only able to overcome an unsteady and
dangerous situation for a limited period of time. Singing can only go on for so long in a world built
on a “vile” structure.

In the final lines, the speaker explains that the “vile” clay stretches on far “Beneath our feet.” It
lasts for miles on end. He concludes by utilizing another sarcastic statement. It is quite impactful
at this point as no one should be willing to “dream” through the pain experienced by others.