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, while We wear the mask. We smile, but, O great Christ, our cries To thee from tortured souls arise. We sing, but oh the clay is vile Beneath our feet, and long the mile; But let the world dream otherwise, We wear the mask! In this poem Paul Dunbar expresses the view of black people. He explains how we as back people are taught to paint a happy imagine in our lives even if it isn't happy. Even though we go through things that may be tough or hurtful we continue to smile as if it doesn't phase us. He speaks in first person form using words, "I" and "We" to show his personal connection to his point he's making in the poem. He starts off not speaking for everyone then he mentions the society. "We smile, but, O great Christ, our cries." then he follows the next line ending with the word arise. His words and meanings are intentional.
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"Sunshine on de medders,
Greenness on de way; Dat's de blessed reason I sing all de day." Look hyeah! Whut you axin'? Whut meks me so merry? 'Spect to see me sighin' W'en hit's wa'm in Febawary? 'Long de stake an' rider Seen a robin set; W'y hit 'mence a-thawin', Groun' is monst'ous wet. Den you stan' dah wond'rin', Lookin' skeert an' stary; I's a right to caper W'en hit's wa'm in Febawary. Missis gone a-drivin', Mastah gone to shoot; Ev'ry da'ky lazin' In de sun to boot. Qua'tah 's moughty pleasant, Hangin' 'roun' my Mary; Cou'tin' boun' to prospah W'en hit's wa'm in Febawary. Cidah look so pu'ty Po'in' f'om de jug-- Don' you see it's happy? Hyeah it laffin'--glug? Now's de time fu' people Fu' to try an' bury All dey grief an' sorrer, W'en hit's wa'm in Febawary. A Warm Day in Winter is a happy time of reminiscing. The tone is pleasing and joyful. The author takes advantage of the amazing weather and the great things that it offers. It is unusual that it is a warm day in winter. The language that is used is in slang terms. "Don' you see it's happy?", referring to the winter being happy through showing its warmth. Oh, de clouds is mighty heavy An’ de rain is mighty thick; Keep a song up on de way. An’ de waters is a rumblin’ On de boulders in de crick, Keep a song up on de way. Fu’ a bird ercross de road Is a–singin’ lak he knowed Dat we people did n’t daih Fu’ to try de rainy aih Wid a song up on de way. What’s de use o’ gittin’ mopy, Case de weather ain’ de bes’! Keep a song up on de way. W’en de rain is fallin’ ha’des’, Dey ’s de longes’ times to res’ Keep a song up on de way. Dough de plough ’s a–stan’in’ still Dey ‘ll be watah fu’ de mill, Rain mus’ come ez well ez sun ‘Fo’ de weathah’s wo’k is done, Keep a song up on de way. W’y hit’s nice to hyeah de showahs Fallin’ down ermong de trees: Keep a song up on de way. Ef de birds don’ bothah ‘bout it, But go singin’ lak dey please, Keep a song up on de way. You don’ s’pose I’s gwine to see Dem ah fowls do mo’ dan me? No, suh, I ‘ll des chase dis frown, An’ aldough de rain fall down, Keep a song up on de way. Keep a song on de way...Keeping a song when going through certain times and some trials is very useful. Keeping a song with you has the ability to make the day better along with yourself. "W’en de rain is fallin’ ha’des’", the diction isn't modern language. The way it is written is from older country times. Paul Dunbar uses things in nature to compare to people and the things we go through. Rain symbolizes cries, "No, suh, I ‘ll des chase dis frown,
An’ aldough de rain fall down,", personification is used to make this poem more vivid. Dunbar states in his poem he'll chase a frown. In other words, the weather isn't the best but you can make the best of it by bringing an encouraging song along. Some of the diction and the way words are spelled can be confusing but you,re able to figure it out through context clues. "DREAMS" What dreams we have and how they fly Like rosy clouds across the sky; Of wealth, of fame, of sure success, Of love that comes to cheer and bless; And how they wither, how they fade, The waning wealth, the jilting jade-- The fame that for a moment gleams, Then flies forever,—dreams, ah—dreams! O burning doubt and long regret, O tears with which our eyes are wet, Heart–throbs, heart–aches, the glut of pain, The somber cloud, the bitter rain, You were not of those dreams—ah! well, Your full fruition who can tell? Wealth, fame, and love, ah! love that beams Upon our souls, all dreams—ah! dreams. In this poem, the speaker is not directly addressed. Paul Dunbar is talking about dreams and the possibilities that they offer. The tone of the poem is soothing and cheerful. He is referencing dreams in a positive way and the great outcome that it has. The subject is centered around dreams, the author is making a point that dreaming can make you happier and open endless possibilities that can turn into something real. "Like rosy clouds across the sky", the author is saying that dreams should be dreams, dream big, happily and just have fun with dreaming. The theme would be for the audience to see the importance of dreaming and the poem is positive and supports it.
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