✊🏿ap african american studies review

The mask

Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025
Verified for the 2027 exam
Verified for the 2027 examWritten by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025

Definition

A symbol in Dunbar's poem representing African Americans' concealment of their true selves and emotions as a survival strategy in response to racial discrimination and social exclusion.

AP course connection

Topic 3.7: 3.7 The Color Line and Double Consciousness in American Society

Unit 3

"The mask" also found in: