What might Paul Laurence Dunbar mean in the following lines from his poem "We Wear the Mask"?We smile, but, O great Christ, our criesTo thee from tortured souls arise. A. The African American community is pleased with its current situation in life and does not wish to change anything. B. Although they seem unhappy, the African American community is content with life in the United States. C. Although they smile outwardly, African Americans pray for an end to their community’s struggle. D. The African American community prays for others to go through the same struggles that its members have faced. E. The African American community wants the US government to compensate them for their suffering as slaves.

Read this excerpt from "We Wear the Mask" by Paul Laurence Dunbar and answer the question that follows: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.Why should the world be over-wise,In counting all our tears and sighs?Nay, let them only see us, whileWe wear the mask.We smile, but, O great Christ, our criesTo thee from tortured souls arise.We sing, but oh the clay is vileBeneath our feet, and long the mile;But let the world dream otherwise,We wear the mask!What effect does the poet achieve by repeating the phrase, "We wear the mask" throughout the poem? Complete the sentences to answer the question.In the poem "We Wear the Mask," Paul Laurence Dunbar voices his repressed anger and frustration toward American society. He repeats the title phrase three times in the poem, using the words mask and we to show that . The first use of the phrase is matter-of-fact. In the second stanza, the statement is followed by a period, which shows resignation. However, at the end of the poem, Dunbar almost shouts the phrase defiantly. The mask seems to become something he wears proudly. Through this gradual emphasis on the phrase, Dunbar could be implying that .

What effect does the poet achieve by repeating the phrase, "We wear the mask" throughout the poem? Complete the sentences to answer the question.In the poem "We Wear the Mask," Paul Laurence Dunbar voices his repressed anger and frustration toward American society. He repeats the title phrase three times in the poem, using the words mask and we to show that . The first use of the phrase is matter-of-fact. In the second stanza, the statement is followed by a period, which shows resignation. However, at the end of the poem, Dunbar almost shouts the phrase defiantly. The mask seems to become something he wears proudly. Through this gradual emphasis on the phrase, Dunbar could be implying that .

How did Paul Laurence Dunbar depart from traditional poetry in "We Wear the Mask?" A. by using formal language B. by including biblical allusion  C. by employing an unusual rhyme scheme D. by discussing individual identity E. by adhering to strict grammar norms

What is the purpose of “the mask” that the author describes in the poem?  Why do they wear it, according to the poet?  Cite evidence from the text to support your answer (Dunbar 1).  You can submit your response here.

The following text is from the 1899 poem “Sympathy” by Paul Laurence Dunbar, who was a prominent African American poet born in Ohio.I know why the caged bird sings, ah me,When his wing is bruised and his bosom sore,—When he beats his bars and he would be free;It is not a carol of joy or glee,But a prayer that he sends from his heart’s deep core,But a plea, that upward to Heaven he flings—I know why the caged bird sings!5Mark for ReviewABCWhich choice best states the main purpose of the text?ATo discount the theory that glee is a less frequently perceived emotion than hopelessness isBTo convey how the perceptions of people who experience freedom relate to those who experience imprisonmentCTo consider whether actions taken in confined spaces cause more damage than those taken out in the openDTo contemplate how a type of vocalization associated with positivity can actually represent both despair and longing