Question

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.

• \we wear the mask,\

paul laurence dunbar
what social issue does the mask represent?
checkmark text box
complete
naturalism includes the idea that society helps
form an individual. how does the mask in
dunbar’s poem support that belief?
○ the mask suggests that society forces african
americans to hide their pain.
○ the mask suggests that life is a mixture of
pain and pleasure.
○ the mask symbolizes an escape from society
for oppressed african americans.
done

Explanation:

For the question "How does the mask in Dunbar’s poem support that belief?":

The poem "We Wear the Mask" by Paul Laurence Dunbar, in the context of naturalism's idea that society shapes individuals, shows that African Americans wear a "mask" (hide their true feelings/pain) due to societal pressure (human guile). The other options: the second option is too general (not about society's role in shaping individuals), and the third option is incorrect as the mask is about conforming to society, not escaping it.

For the question "What social issue does the mask represent?":

Assuming the intended answer related to racial discrimination/oppression (since the poem is about African Americans hiding pain due to societal prejudice):

The mask in the poem represents how African Americans are forced to hide their true emotions (pain, suffering) due to societal racial prejudice and discrimination, conforming to what society expects (smiling while hearts are torn) as a result of the social issue of racial oppression.

Answer:

The mask suggests that society forces African Americans to hide their pain.