The 'world' the speaker refers to in stanza 2 of 'We Wear the Mask' is most likely?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking us to identify what the term 'world' refers to in the second stanza of the poem 'We Wear the Mask' by Paul Laurence Dunbar. This involves analyzing the themes and context of the poem, particularly in relation to the experience of African Americans during the time it was written.
Answer
The external society.
The 'world' in stanza 2 of 'We Wear the Mask' refers to the external society from which the speaker's community must shield itself.
Answer for screen readers
The 'world' in stanza 2 of 'We Wear the Mask' refers to the external society from which the speaker's community must shield itself.
More Information
In the context of Paul Laurence Dunbar's poem, 'the world' symbolizes the broader society that expects conformity through hiding true emotions, often due to racial and social pressures.
Tips
A common mistake is misunderstanding the symbolic nature of 'the world,' taking it too literally as the physical world, rather than its societal implications.
Sources
- Analysis of the Speaker - We Wear the Mask - SparkNotes - sparknotes.com
- Stanza 2 Summary - We Wear the Mask - Shmoop - shmoop.com
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