1. Paul Laurence Dunbar

2. PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR 1872-1906 First African American poet to be recognized nationally June 27, 1872 Dayton, OH Parents were ex-slaves Elevator Operator

3. PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR 1872-1906 Wrote poetry in his free time First book of poetry published in 1893 Toured US and then Europe Tuberculosis -> Died age 33, 1906

4. WE WEAR THE MASK Known for dialect poems: ‘Wadin' In De Crick’ ‘Speakin' At De Cou't-House’ ‘When A Feller's Itchin' To Be Spanked’ Published in Lyrics of Lowly Life, 1896 A LYRICAL poem.

5. WE WEAR THE MASK About ‘oppressed black Americans forced to hide their pain and frustration behind a façade of happiness and contentment.’ BUT Could be about anything or anyone -> the ‘we’ is not identified -> ‘MASK’

6. Rhyme Rhythm Alliteration Metaphor FIGURES OF SPEECH…

7. Cummings, Micheal J. "We Wear the Mask." www.cummingsstudyguides.net. Micheal J Cummings, 2007. Web. 11 Feb. 2012.. "Paul Laurence Dunbar." NNDB: Tracking the Entire World. Soylent Communications. Web. 12 Feb. 2012.. Portrait of Paul Laurence Dunbar. 1895-1900. Photograph. Ohio Historical Society, Columbus, OH. Http://www.libraries.wright.edu. Wright State University. Web. 12 Feb. 2012.. "Paul Laurence Dunbar: Biography - Wright State University Libraries." Home - Wright State University Libraries. Wright State University. Web. 11 Feb. 2012.. "Paul Laurence Dunbar." Poets.org - Poetry, Poems, Bios & More. Academy of American Poets, 1996. Web. 31 Jan. 2012.. WORK CITED: