Mallig

• Last seen on Aug 9 9:41 PM 2008. Member since September 5, 2007.
• I am a 37 year old person
• I have 1 comment, 12 poems

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• on We Wear the Mask by Paul Laurence Dunbar, on September 5, 2007

  This is one of my all time favorite poems. I read it is a profound statement regarding the happy, sometimes clownish facade that african americans were long forced to wear in order to survive. It was necessary to smile even in the face of hatred and insults. Negative emotions could not be outwardly shown as many viewed such attitudes as threatening, and to be threatening was to be in danger. In one sense, to me the mask represents protection. But in another sense, the mask represents retaining one's honor and pride, presenting a strong, proud face to one's tormentors in spite of the suffering they may be causing you. This piece remains timeless and profound because it also speaks universally to all of us who were masks to hide our pain from others.