How does the poet use figurative language to develop the theme in “We Wear the Mask”?

The figurative language is used by the poet to develop the theme of appearance v. reality in the poem "We Wear the Mask." The use of figurative language has helped to bring clarity to the text.

Explanation:

"We Wear the Mask" is a poem written by Paul Laurence Dunbar. The poem speaks about the identity crises when people are faced with racism. The poet brings a strong message through this poem, that people who suffer from racism are taught to wear a mask of happiness and smile to show that the racism does not affect them and to pretend that everything is okay. But, on the contrary, it does affect them mentally and emotionally.

The figurative languages used by Dunbar in the poem are personification, symbolism, apostrophe.

Personification is used in the line 'We wear the mask that grins and lies.' Personification is a literary device that is used to show human emotions and characteristics to inhuman objects such as animals. In this line 'mask' which is a non-living object, is shown with human emotions of smiling and grinning.

Symbolism is used in the same line 'we wear the mask that grins and lies.' In this line symbolism is used in the word 'mask' which symbolizes an act of hiding true identity. It is an act of disguising yourself and not revealing who you are truly. Since the theme of the poem is hiding true identity, this symbolism is an important figurative device.

The other device used by the poet is apostrophe in line 'We smile, but, O great Christ, our cries.' Apostrophe is a device that is used to speak directly to someone who is not present while speaking or is dead, or to an inanimate object. The poet is speaking in this line and calling to great Jesus Christ.

These figurative language has helped to bring clarity and understanding of the theme and the text. And also the message that the poet wants to convey through this poem.

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