The document outlines assignment instructions for a discussion post on a poem from the course text, specifically focusing on Paul Dunbar's 'We Wear the Mask'. It emphasizes MLA formatting for submissions, the importance of critical reading over general internet sources, and includes guidance on analyzing the poem's imagery and symbolism. Additionally, it invites students to discuss their poem choices and offers resources for further research.

1. Question
For assignment instructions, see Unit Module.
Submit the discussion as an attached document,
MLA formatting,
file name: 102 Last First DB2 Poetry
Additionally, submit content of document as intitial post to
discussions: summary and paragraphs to the textbox in the
Discussions: Feb. 12; responses to classmates
MLA FORMATTING
2 PAGES
Regarding the poem choice:
The poem must be in the course text.
If the poem you are considering as the topic of the discussion --
and the literary analysis essay --
is not in the assigned reading, I ask that you discuss your choic
e with me.
This "discussion" is intended only to ensure that the analysis no
t be more challenging than necessary.
In response to a question about the poem, "We Wear the Mask"
by Paul Dunbar I offered the following discussion:
Consider who the speaker is and who the speaker is speaking of
, the "our" and "we" of the poem. Since the author is African A
merican and lived in the late 1800s and into the early 1900s, the
voice is typically assumed to be speaking about the African Am
erican experience; however, the poem's meaning can be generali
zed to any group that is marginalized.
Consider the imagery and the type response it evokes. How does
the poem appeal to the senses? Rather than thinking in terms of
the poem "causing the reader to . . . ," consider that the poem e
vokes or elicits a type of emotional response; that is, the poem
brings that emotion into consciousness rather than "making a re
ader" respond a certain way.
Consider the mask as a symbol. What is the "literal" mask? Wha

2. t does it represent symbolically?
Consider the mask as an allusion: According to the
Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia
masks were used "in ancient Greek drama [to represent] the cha
racter being portrayed by the actor and were constructed to port
ray a fixed emotion such as grief or rage" ("Mask"). In Greek t
heatre, there were typically only a few characters, but there was
also a chorus that either spoke in unison or were represented by
one speaker. The chorus represented the voice of the communit
y as well as serving as a narrator and a transitional element bet
ween acts or scenes in the play.
"Mask."
Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed.
(2013): n. p.
Literary Reference Center Plus
. Web. 10 Feb. 2015.
If you have questions about your poem choice, let me know.
A reminder: While you may go to online sites for some general i
nformation about the poem you have chosen, you are expected t
o use that information only as a springboard for ideas. In other
words, your choices about discussion and support should be bas
ed on your critical reading and the information in the course tex
t. Additionally, use the glossary in the course text for definitio
ns (not general internet searches), and if you need a definition,
use an online collegiate-
level dictionary (One is recommended in the course syllabus).
If you want to read further, use library databases:
The Literary Reference Center Plus
is a good resource, and there is a citation tool there.