WorksheetsWe Wear the Mask by Sharon
Total questions: 15
Worksheet time: 29mins
The mask that the author describes is an example of
onomatopoiea
alliteration
symbolism
simile
Directions: Read the poem below and answer the questions that follow.
Paul Laurence Dunbar – “We Wear the Mask”
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 countless 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 ground is vile
Beneath our feet, and long the mile;
But let the world dream otherwise,
We wear the mask!
#5 What is the mood of this poem?
Agony
Happiness
Anger
Peace
What is the impact of the author’s word choice on tone? (RL.2.4)
The author’s word choice creates a bitter and cruel tone.
The author’s word choice creates a sarcastic tone.
The author’s word choice creates an optimistic tone.
The author’s word choice creates a tortured and agonizing tone.
How is emphasis created in line 4? (RL.2.5)
"With torn and bleeding hearts we smile,"
Through the use of alliteration.
Through the use of imagery.
Through the use of repetition.
Through the use of comparisons.
What effect does the repetition of the phrase “We wear the mask” at the beginning of the poem and the end of each stanza have on the poem’s meaning? (RL.2.5)
It develops the theme, “Continuous behavior will become habits that create resilience.”
It develops the theme, “Presentation is more important than reality.”
It develops the theme, “It is painful to falsely display smiles and happiness to others.”
It develops the theme, “When the world seems happy, all will go well.”
What does the first line of the poem convey to the reader?
(RL.2.6)
"We wear the mask that grins and lies,"
False emotions cover true feelings.
Our faces are masks.
Only adults hide who they are.
The speaker is afraid to trust others.
What effect does the repetition of the phrase “We wear the mask” at the beginning of the poem and the end of each stanza have on the poem’s meaning? (RL.2.5)
It develops the theme, “Continuous behavior will become habits that create resilience.”
It develops the theme, “Presentation is more important than reality.”
It develops the theme, “It is painful to falsely display smiles and happiness to others.”
It develops the theme, “When the world seems happy, all will go well.”
What is the poem's point of view?
3rd person
2nd person
1st person singular
1st person plural
