Question

read the excerpt from \we wear the mask\ by paul laurence dunbar. (1) why should the world be over - wise, (2) in counting all our tears and sighs? (3) nay, let them only see us, while (4) we wear the mask. how does the use of caesura in line 3 help develop the meaning of the excerpt? it supports the speakers decision to embrace individuality and present his true self to society it emphasizes the speakers opinion that societys judgments are important it reveals the speakers disappointment over how society judges others lives it shows the speakers rejection of the idea that society should have access to private emotions

Explanation:

A caesura is a break in a line of poetry. In line 3, "Nay, let them only see us, while", the caesura emphasizes the separation between what the world sees and the private emotions of the speaker. The speaker doesn't want the world to have access to their true feelings, which are represented by "tears and sighs" in line 2. The mask is worn to hide these private emotions.

Answer:

It shows the speaker's rejection of the idea that society should have access to private emotions.