Analyzing Poetry: “We Wear the Mask” by Paul Laurence Dunbar

Introduce readers to the poem “We Wear the Mask” by Paul Laurence Dunbar with this poetry analysis worksheet! Students will learn a bit about the poet Paul Laurence Dunbar with a brief introduction. Then they will read the short, 15-line poem before answering comprehension and analysis questions about the text. This two-page poetry worksheet gives students an opportunity to practice close reading of a text by analyzing the poem's structure, word choice, figurative language, tone, and theme. Readers will be asked to pay special attention to themes of identity and the tension between a private and public identity.

Designed for seventh- and eighth-grade readers, this reading comprehension worksheet is a rich resource that will prepare students for deeper poetry analysis in high school. Interested in more poetry worksheets? Check out our Middle School Poetry Analysis Worksheets set!