CULTURAL IDENTITY AND RESILIENCE IN DUNBARS WE WEAR THE MASK

Abstract

            This study explores the intricate relationship between cultural identity and literature through a detailed analysis of Paul Laurence Dunbar’s seminal poem, “We Wear the Mask.” Written in 1896, this poem serves as a powerful reflection of the African American experience of the post-reconstruction era. This study employs textual analysis to examine the central metaphor of the mask and its role in conveying the complexities of identity, resilience, and psychological distress faced by African Americans. This study situates Dunbar’s work within the broader framework of double consciousness, a concept elaborated by W.E.B. Du Bois, highlighting the duality between self-perception and societal perception. By contextualizing the poem historically and socially, this research underscores its enduring relevance in the present-day contemplations of race, identity, and social justice. This study contributes to literary and cultural studies by enhancing the understanding of how literature articulates and shapes cultural identities, and emphasizes the importance of recognizing the hidden struggles and resilience of marginalized communities.