Question

What might Paul Laurence Dunbar mean in the following lines from his poem "We Wear the Mask"?

We smile, but, O great Christ, our cries
To thee from tortured souls arise.

The African American community is pleased with its current situation in life and does not wish to change anything.

Although they seem unhappy, the African American community is content with life in the United States.

Although they smile outwardly, African Americans pray for an end to their community’s struggle.

Answer 1

the other two answer choices are

The African American community prays for others to go through the same struggles that its members have faced.

The African American community wants the US government to compensate them for their suffering as slaves.

Answer 2

So, think about the words
"We smile, but, O great Christ, our cries"

It's symbolic of faking happiness while crying on the inside, although they seem happy, they're not.

Which of the options suits this most?

Answer 3

d

Answer 4

Do you honestly believe that the wish for others to be 'tortured souls" as the were/are

Answer 5

o i ment e

Answer 6

Okay, why do you believe it's e? What in the poem allows you to believe that the US government should be compensating?

Answer 7

i have never read the poem but now going back and looking at the part of the poem that i have i actually thank c would be the correct answer but I'm not 100% sure because I've never read the poem

Answer 8

It is c, great job! Reading the whole poem can be helpful for questions like this! Great work :)

Answer 9

thank you