?An Interpretation of Paul Laurence Dunbar?s Poem Sympathy and We Wear

Throughout African American history, African Americans have used poems as a expression of describing the African American condition in America. One poet who was widely known for using poetry to describe the condition of African Americans in America was capital of Minnesota Laurence Dunbar. Paul Laurence Dunbar was one of the most prolific poets of his time. Paul Laurence Dunbar used vivid, descriptive and exemplary language to portray images in his poetry of the senseless prejudices and racism that African Americans faced in America. Throughout this essay I will discuss, describe and interpret Sympathy and We Wear the Mask. Both Sympathy and We Wear the Mask were compose by Paul Laurence Dunbar.To begin with, the poem Sympathy suggests to the reader a comparison between the lifestyle of the caged bird, and the African American. Paul Laurence Dunbars center of guardianship of Sympathy is how the African American identifies and relates to the frustrations and pain that a caged bir d experiences. Dunbar begins the poem by stating I know what the caged bird feels, alas(African American Literature rogue 922). This shows the comparison of a caged bird to an African American. Dunbar wrote this poem with vivid, descriptive, and symbolic language throughout the entire poem. Dunbar uses this vivid, descriptive and symbolic language to stress his point that few one tied up in bondage and chains is not privileged enough to enjoy the simple but unique parts of life. In the first stanza of Sympathy Dunbar wroteI know what the caged bird feels, alasWhen the sun is bright on the upland slopesWhen the wind stirs soft through the springing spate,-And the river flows like a stream of glassWhen the first bird sings and the first bud opes,And the faint perfume from its chalice steals-I know what the caged bird feelsThe first stanza is representative of the symbolic speech in which Paul Laurence Dunbar uses to describe the condition of African Americans. The first stanza also states how the conditions of African Americans are similar to that of a cage bird. The symbolism in the first stanza is that of nature. Dunbar speaks of the chalice, river, and grass which are parts of nature that a person who is not oppressed, may enjoy and take for granted. Unlike the non oppressed people chalice, river, and grass are parts of nature in w... ...he second stanza is the mask in which hides African Americans feelings and thoughts from the public. The second stanza ask a question of Why should the world be overwise which is interpreted as Dunbar asking why should the majority of people have such a negative affect on people and how the minorities respond to societal norms. These societal norms that are spoken of a rules or unspoken laws that are set up to benefit and serve the majority or those that are in charge. In this case Similar to Sympathy the third stanza of We Wear the Mask is also like a prayer. The third stanza is a plea for release of maneuver over Afric an Americans. The third stanza is also a plea from African Americans for the release of hiding feelings and emotions.In conclusion, Paul Laurence Dunbar was of the most prolific poets to ever redeem poetry. Paul Laurence Dunbar used vivid, descriptive and symbolic language to portray images in his poetry of the senseless prejudices and racism that African Americans faced in America. This use of vivid, descriptive and symbolic language was very apparent in both of his poems Sympathy and We Wear the Mask.