In “We Wear the Mask,” what does Dunbar say is shown on the masks worn by African Americans?

In "We Wear the Mask," the author argues that African Americans wear a constant mask. The mask is one of happiness, grinning faces, and positivity. However, the author states that underneath this mask, the African American community hides their pain and their sorrow from past abuses and constant injustices.

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vaduz vaduz · Answer 2 · 2019-11-11T13:29:24+01:00

Answer:

Happiness.

Explanation:

Paul Laurence Dunbar's poem "We Wear Masks" talks about the hidden pain and suffering of the African American people. The poem talks of the "mask that grins and lies........ with torn an bleeding hearts".

This mask shows them with a face that's smiling, showing their 'supposed happiness', and their positivity. But contrary to what is visible for the outside world to see, they wear the masks, crying to "great Christ, [their] cries To thee from tortured souls arise". This mask hides the pain and sorrow they have endured during their past abuses and torture they had suffered at the hands of their masters.