We Wear The Mask By Paul Laurence Dunbar And Everyday Use By Alice Walker

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Recommended: Critical analysis of wearing the mask

“We Wear the Mask” by Paul Laurence Dunbar is an expressive observation of not only the lies, but also the painful truth that conceals behind them. On the other hand “Everyday Use” by Alice Walker explores the experiences and struggles of Black American women with racial identity and racism. Both Alice Walker and Paul Laurence Dunbar use compelling language features, styles and themes to ultimately reveal their Black American heritage and background. Despite bearing evident similarities, the differences between “We Wear the Mask” and “Everyday use” are pronounced. Dunbar Sends a profoundly brave and powerful message in his poem, even though he isn't precise and avoids using specifics. He begins the poem via engaging the reader by beginning with “we” in the first line. Paul Dunbar gets straight to the point saying, “ We wear the mask that grins and lies, / it hides our cheeks and shades our eyes” (1-2) In these lines it clear he is saying they hide behind a mask that is made of fake smiles. The mask also hides how they feel, Dunbar uses figurative language to explain this. The mask hides their cheeks and their eyes, preventing them from seeing, and others from seeing them.Your cheeks …show more content…

The earth is vile because it delivers pain and suffering yet the earth is still their home. Now the reader sees that the truth behind the mask is very sad and painful. Keeling also notices this by now when he says “ Of course the “mask” has been lifted for the reader.”(24) The 13th line conveys hope by addressing the long mile. The speaker suggest that this is all part of a larger journey and the word “long” indicates there is a ways to go. The speaker reminds us however of the responsibility that has yet to be acknowledged once again using “let”. We see the mask as we did in the first stanza only this time with

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