We smile, but, O great Christ, our cries

Question

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!

–“We Wear the Mask,”
Paul Laurence Dunbar

How does the last stanza reinforce the speaker's cynicism? Check the three boxes that apply.

The speaker evokes religious imagery to show the extent of the suffering.

The final exclamation point adds emphasis to the repeated message.

The speaker reveals that the world doesn't listen to his pleas.

The repetition of "We wear the mask" suggests that nothing will change.

Answer 1

The last stanza reinforces the speaker's cynicism through the following points:

• The final exclamation point adds emphasis to the repeated message. This strong punctuation underscores the urgency and frustration in the speaker's tone, highlighting the enduring nature of the mask.

• The speaker reveals that the world doesn't listen to his pleas. The line "But let the world dream otherwise" suggests that the perception of the world is disconnected from the reality of the speaker's suffering, reinforcing a sense of hopelessness.

• The repetition of "We wear the mask" suggests that nothing will change. The repeated phrase emphasizes the continuous facade that individuals must maintain, implying a resignation to their struggles and a belief that there is no way out.

The selection of these three points illustrates the depth of the speaker's cynicism regarding their plight and the world's indifference.