Question

Read the excerpt from "We Wear the Mask” by Paul Laurence Dunbar.

(1) Why should the world be over-wise,
(2) In counting all our tears and sighs?
(3) Nay, let them only see us, while
(4) We wear the mask.

How does the use of caesura in line 3 help develop the meaning of the excerpt?

It supports the speaker’s decision to embrace individuality and present his true self to society.
It emphasizes the speaker’s opinion that society’s judgments are important.
It reveals the speaker’s disappointment over how society judges others’ lives.
It shows the speaker’s rejection of the idea that society should have access to private emotions.
Mark this and return

Answer 1

It shows the speaker’s rejection of the idea that society should have access to private emotions.

The pause in line 3 isolates "let them only see us," emphasizing that the speaker intends people to see only the outward appearance (the mask), not inner feelings—so society is denied access to private emotions.