1. Paul Laurence Dunbar

2. Dunbar the Writer One of the 1 st professional African American literary figures One of the 1 st professional African American literary figures Had an ear for language and loved English Romantic poetry Had an ear for language and loved English Romantic poetry Worked for Frederick Douglass Worked for Frederick Douglass Criticized at one point for supposedly “catering to a white audience with stereotyped black folk elements” (622). Criticized at one point for supposedly “catering to a white audience with stereotyped black folk elements” (622). Separated from his wife because he was an alcoholic; believed he had failed as a poet. Separated from his wife because he was an alcoholic; believed he had failed as a poet. Today, he is seen as a pioneer of black poetic diction and one the most well-respected writers of the era. Today, he is seen as a pioneer of black poetic diction and one the most well-respected writers of the era.

3. “An Ante-Bellum Sermon” 1 st published in 1897 1 st published in 1897 Set up as a sermon in an old country church Set up as a sermon in an old country church The “sermon” is talking about Moses and his instructions for Pharaoh to let the people go. The “sermon” is talking about Moses and his instructions for Pharaoh to let the people go. Why would this poem address this Biblical story in particular? How does it relate to society at that moment? Why would this poem address this Biblical story in particular? How does it relate to society at that moment? Lines 39-40 discuss that he’s still preaching ancient and isn’t talking about today…is that true? Lines 39-40 discuss that he’s still preaching ancient and isn’t talking about today…is that true?

4. “An Ante-Bellum Sermon” Lines 47-48 address not running and telling masters that he is preaching discontent. What would he say that? What is the representation here? Lines 47-48 address not running and telling masters that he is preaching discontent. What would he say that? What is the representation here? Stanza 7 addresses that the Lord lets people see that every man is free…as long as they open themselves up and listen. Stanza 7 addresses that the Lord lets people see that every man is free…as long as they open themselves up and listen. Stanza 8 addresses that one should be careful…the Bible can be twisted to make almost anything seem right. Stanza 8 addresses that one should be careful…the Bible can be twisted to make almost anything seem right. Stanza 9 states that the preacher is preaching about every man deserving freedom in the way the Bible says. Stanza 9 states that the preacher is preaching about every man deserving freedom in the way the Bible says.

5. “An Ante-Bellum Sermon” Stanza 10-while God is doing his work and ensuring you’re free, don’t become a braggart or be arrogant. Stanza 10-while God is doing his work and ensuring you’re free, don’t become a braggart or be arrogant. Stanza 11-yell praises when you are last free…pray for this to happen. Stanza 11-yell praises when you are last free…pray for this to happen. When exactly do you think this poem is set? When exactly do you think this poem is set? Why did Dunbar write this? What issues was he trying to address? Why did Dunbar write this? What issues was he trying to address? How does this poem apply to us here in the 21 st century? How does this poem apply to us here in the 21 st century?

6. “We Wear the Mask” 1 st published in 1897 1 st published in 1897 Do we all wear masks? Do we all wear masks? Stanza 1: “We wear the mask that grins and lies, It hides our cheeks and shades our eyes.” What is the purpose of a mask? Is it appropriate to wear one? Stanza 1: “We wear the mask that grins and lies, It hides our cheeks and shades our eyes.” What is the purpose of a mask? Is it appropriate to wear one? Stanza 2: People often only see the mask that is shown to the public. Why is it necessary to show this face to the world? Why can’t we be ourselves? Stanza 2: People often only see the mask that is shown to the public. Why is it necessary to show this face to the world? Why can’t we be ourselves?

7. “We Wear the Mask” Stanza 3: We smile on the outside no matter what we may be dealing with on the inside. We don’t want the world to see us as anything other than perfectly put together. Stanza 3: We smile on the outside no matter what we may be dealing with on the inside. We don’t want the world to see us as anything other than perfectly put together. What may have been Dunbar’s motivation for writing this poem? What may have been Dunbar’s motivation for writing this poem? What is this poem designed to teach you about yourself? Is it still relevant today? What is this poem designed to teach you about yourself? Is it still relevant today?

8. “Sympathy” 1 st published in 1899 1 st published in 1899 “I know why the caged bird sings!” Where else do we see this line? “I know why the caged bird sings!” Where else do we see this line? Stanza 1: what does the speaker mean about knowing what a caged bird feels? What does he wish he could feel? Stanza 1: what does the speaker mean about knowing what a caged bird feels? What does he wish he could feel? Stanza 2: Why does the caged bird work so hard? What is he trying to accomplish? Stanza 2: Why does the caged bird work so hard? What is he trying to accomplish? “And a pain still throbs in the old, old scars…” What does this mean? “And a pain still throbs in the old, old scars…” What does this mean?

9. “Sympathy” Stanza 3: “When his wing is bruised and his bosom sore-”; he continues to push through and strive for a better life no matter how much it hurts or how hard it is. Stanza 3: “When his wing is bruised and his bosom sore-”; he continues to push through and strive for a better life no matter how much it hurts or how hard it is. He “flings” a pleas “upward to Heaven” for help and support as he flies through life. He “flings” a pleas “upward to Heaven” for help and support as he flies through life. What is the point of this poem? What is the author’s purpose? What is the point of this poem? What is the author’s purpose?