Racism in Paul Laurence Dunbar “We Wear the Mask” Essay Example

icans from expressing their ideas and the necessity for them to smile despite their suffering (3-4). The author attempted to seek divine assistance, but discrimination persisted. The poem's tone reflects a blend of anger, sadness, and hopelessness. Notably, the poem follows a distinctive rhyme scheme: aabba aabc aabbac. It is divided into three stanzas of varying lengths - five lines in the first stanza, four in the second, and six in the third.

The last lines in the second and the third stanza are both indented and contain the phrase "We Wear the Mask." These two lines stand out because they are the only ones with four syllables, while the rest of the poem is written in iambic tetrameter, with the exception of line 5. The repetition of "We Wear the Mask" once in every stanza serves to emphasize the hardships experienced by African Americans in the past.