...Masks “An Extravagance of Laughter" by Ralph Ellison exemplifies the trials and tribulations of a young black man struggling not only to be accepted by society but by himself as well. This essay is primarily concerned with questions of race and interaction between people of different races in different times and places. As Ellison travels from a community of apparent segregation (South) to the (North), he learns that distinctions between cultures are not as definite as they may seem. This idea of masking became a very important concept because of the transition between the north and south. There were a few examples in the story were people were hiding behind masks to either fit in, as well as people who did not hide behind the masks. Taunted by humiliation from releasing emotional laughter Ralph Ellison arrives at the finale of his essay in disbelief. He probably hadn't counted on one scene in a play changing his perspective of life. This scene enabled him to reach the conclusion of his exploration. He realized that the absurdity of human nature is all common. Everyone is just at least a little bit the same. Ellison battled with the concept of "masking" throughout the essay. Masking can best be defined as changing one's perspective from the inside out. Or as W. B. Yeats puts it so eloquently in the essay, "active virtue, as distinct from the passive acceptance of a current code, is the wearing of a mask" (268). The person wearing the mask is no longer a part of the original...
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...The Mask: Personality Conformity & Self Acceptance A person is an amalgamation of other people’s personalities combined. They meet someone, and they subconsciously change ever-so-slightly. Does this mean people actually have a personality? Well, that unique combination of personalities is what makes it their own. However, people keep conforming to be like others and ‘fit in’ that everyone is just wearing a mask; masked by a pretense. It’s a safety precaution. The mask must be broken first before they show their true face. However, people keep changing in this never-ending spiral of conformity, eventually the real person behind the mask is gone, and all that is left is the mask itself. Everyone conforms. It’s natural and it’s even assumed that “conformity may have been of survival value when interacting with other tribes of cavemen” (Peutherer). Of course, we don’t live in the ‘dinosaur’ era anymore. We live in a modern time and we still change, but this time, it’s for social survival in a cruel and judgemental society. It’s not a good thing,...
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...Running Header: AFRICIAN ANCIENT MASKS African Ancient Masks Kie Morrison Hum 111 Professor Dodson AFRICAN ANCIENT MASKS In African masks can be traced back to well past Paleolithic time from 1875 to 1925. These art objects were, and are still made of all kind of material; included are leather, metal, fabric and various types of wood. African masks are considered amongst the finest creation in the art world today. Many of these African masks pieces can be viewed in museums and art galleries all over the world today. Masking ceremonies in Africa have great cultural and traditional significance. The latest developments and understanding of Aesthetic principal, religious and ceremonial values, have brought a grate insight in to the ideas and moral values the African express in their art. During the celebration, initiations, crop harvesting, war preparation, peace and trouble times, African masks are worn by a chosen or initiated dancer. It can be worn in three different ways. The three different ways the African masks can be worn is: Vertically covering the face: as helmets, encasing the entire head, and as crest, resting upon the head, which was commonly covered by material as part of the ancestors. Ritual ceremonies generally depict deities, sprouts of ancestors, mythological beings, good and evil. The dead animal’s spirits and other beings believe to have power over humanity. Masks of human ancestors or totem ancestors are often objects of family pride. The dancers...
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...The False Appearance There are unpredictable events that occur in ones life that can lead a person to believe that wearing a mask is better than being themselves. In modern society, most everyone has put on a mask at some point in his or her life in an attempt to hide an image. No matter how this mask is created, it seems to be the only way for people to cope with reality. Mental exhaustion is draining and can come from trying to keep up with a busy and complicated lifestyle. Some individuals, choose to wear a mask to camouflage what they do not want others to see or not see. There are several reasons why a person might want to conceal the way they look or feel; for example depression, self-esteem, and the desire to fit in could have a major impact, and therefore, trigger their need to wear a mask. Depression is a major problem that effects young teens as well as many adults. Most of these people take antidepressants or some form of medication to help with their disease. Even though this is not a weakness, some keep it hidden because of embarrassment, or they are in denial and do not want to admit that they have a problem. For those who cannot afford to pay for treatment, they find other ways to bury the pain. This group of people tend to stare toward the ground and avoid eye contact with everyone around them, hoping they will not be approached by others who may want to ask questions and demand answers. For this reason, they tend to loose interest in everything around them...
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...We Wear the Mask “We Wear the Mask” is a poem by Paul Laurence Dunbar that emphasizes on how slaves had to conceal their pain and misery in a white-dominated culture. If African-Americans were to reveal their true feelings, it could result in their own demise. With this knowledge in mind Dunbar created this poem in such an artistic way that no one suspected the real meaning of “We Wear the Mask.” Dunbar’s use of alliteration and iambic tetrameter rhythm forms a method of hidden self-expression for the author while the reader can also relate to the poem in their own way. While interpreting this poem the reader will discover that the mask represents an individual hiding their true feelings about their own difficult situation. It could pertain to a person going through divorce, loss of a family member, or a teenager under pressure with school. Problems vary with each person and their own life. The reason why this poem is so relatable to any reader is because Dunbar never specified the true meaning within this poem therefore...
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...The masks of a common teenager Paul Laurence’s “We Wear the Mask” starts with a metaphor to an unspecific “we” saying that a mask of happiness hides our internal sadness. This ties to the conforming towards the hiding of one's feelings. He emphasizes the sadness of one's feelings, but always ends each allusion towards this pain is always followed by an opposite example of how this pain is covered up. As he repeats his use of large categories to define who endures these pains, it becomes clear that he speaks of everyone conforming to society. A common other theme is the lies said to others and oneself, as it becomes clear that this “mask” is used to convince everyone that you are happy. This never changes that everyone is living through torture and it doesn't help to lie about it. This is appropriate for the author, because Paul Laurence Dunbar was an African American writing...
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...The Truth behind the Mask of Agamemnon There are various debates when it comes to the authenticity of certain artworks. When determining the legitimacy of certain artworks, certain things that need to be taken into consideration, which is the case with The Mask of Agamemnon. The Mask of Agamemnon was a discovery by architect Heinrich Schliemann in Mycenae dated 1876. There have been various discussions in whether or not the mask is a fake. There has been sufficient evidence that supports this. Author Spencer Harrington, William Calder and David Traill examined how the mask of Agamemnon may be a fake, by including an overview of the Mask, questioning the faulty character of Schliemann, and the authenticity of the mask itself. Spencer Harrington author of “Behind the Mask of Agamemnon discussed the. Harrington stated that Schliemann was “supervised by Panagiotis Stamatakis, a conscientious Greek archaeologist who often accused Schliemann of destroying classical antiquities in his quest for Homeric remains.” Which raises questions of whether or not Schliemann’s work was for the preservation of Greek art or for the benefiting the “businessman-turned-archaeologist” (Harrington). The mask of Agem When it comes to the excavation of artwork individuals often judge the artwork to be real or fake based on the artwork itself, not taking into account the architects(s) whom excavated the art piece. Professor and author Calder did so by questioning the faulty character of Schliemann...
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...background of this artist is essential. This artists’ indoctrination into the world of African masks, the Dan Tribe specifically, would revolutionize the art world at the time and has had an impact on artists and viewers to this day. The artist is Pablo Picasso. In June of 1907, Picasso visited the West African masks exhibition at the Trocadero Museum in Paris, France. As he viewed the African mask exhibition, he exclaimed: “The masks, they were not sculptures like the others. Not at all. They were magical things, intercessors… against everything, against unknown, menacing spirits”. (Walker) The influence of African masks can be noticed in a large number of Picasso’s art following this visit to the museum. Picasso’s oil painting, Les Demoiselles d’Avignon also known as The Maids of Avignon, was painted one year after his museum visit in 1907. This was the first piece of art by Picasso and validated by art critics where incorporation of the essence of an African mask was noticed. From 1907 through 1909, Picasso’s art exhibited a strong African influence. His art became more abstract and he is hailed as having begun Cubism and abstract art era by the art world. If one was to view his three self-portraits the progression of this African influence can be readily noticed. The last self-portrait was painted before his death in 1972 and resembles a Dan Tribe African Death Mask. Although heavily influenced by African art as seen in a large portion of his art work that followed...
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...Things are not always as they seem, sometimes first impressions can be deceiving. In Paul Laurence Dunbar’s poem, “We Wear the Mask” and Edwin Arlington Robinson’s poem “Richard Cory” the theme of appearance vs. truth is explored. These poems show how you can see someone and still not completely “see” them. They live an ironic life as their appearances differ from their reality. Everyone has a way in which they mask themselves from the world. Their hidden truth kept within a false persona. In We Wear the Mask people are described as hypocritical, deceptive and willing to appear content with their circumstances, although they are not. The speaker's world appears cold and indifferent; inducing false personas in an effort to appear unbothered. The people are determined to keep the true nature of their sufferings to themselves and to present to others happiness and lack of care, “We wear the mask that grins and lies,” (Dunbar line 1). All of the courtesy and feelings shown are just phony disguises for the painful truths that hide behind them. Furthermore, no matter what is felt one should cover it up, to allow what appears to become reality....
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...Masks have been used for centuries in many religions, whether they are still practiced today or have died out. These artifacts are used as a way to worship a certain god during particular ceremonies, to entertain, and during festivals. Every religion is different and has separate rules, god(s), beliefs, practices, etc. but just like how Christianity and Judaism believe in the Old Testament, Ancient Egypt and Ancient Greece both used masks as a religious way to worship a particular god. Ancient Egyptian masks were very different than the Ancient Greek masks. There are many similarities and differences between how the masks were made, what they were made from, how they were used, who could wear them, where they were worn, how they were stored and what they looked like....
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...many times in the past and one of the collections of Art that I always gravitate towards is the African Art. This collection of Art consists of artworks from Sudan, Central Africa and West Africa. These objects consisted of ceremonial masks made of wood, feathers, plant fibers, beads, fur, cloth, copper and other miscellaneous objects, Wooden figured called Pounders, religious scrolls and books and other artifacts pertaining to their culture. In this exhibit contained many masks. Two of the mask that was most interesting to me was a mask called the “Elephant Society Mask” and “Bwoom Helmet Mask.” The Elephant Mask was made by canvas embroidered with beads. It was from the Bamileke kingdom. Men that were members of this kingdom called Kuosi wore these masks to major festivals and royal funerals, the mask represent the royal elephant. The Bwoom Mask is from Kuba kingdom and is made from wood, beads, shells, fur, seeds, cloth, hide and copper. The mask was part of ensemble group who performed at royal initiations or funerals. Bwoom means dwarf. The masks are very different in size; the Elephant Mask is tall and lean. It is very detailed with beads that consist of blues, reds and whites. It has big ears to resemble and Elephant. The Bwoom mask is...
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...Dogon Mask Dance Dogons are from Mali in West Africa. Dogon masks rank among the most respected within the world of tribal art collections and have influenced such Western 20th-century artists as Picasso and Braque, even the Cubist movement. The mask binds the Dogon people to the celestial world of heaven (where the afterworld exists) and Earth, which provides food, shelter and life. An important Dogon tradition is the Dama or masked funeral dance. By masquerading behind masks, the dancers allow the souls of the deceased to escape to their final resting place and to join the ranks of their ancestors, thereby restoring order to the universe. Participation in the Dama is a great honor as it represents the final step in the passage from boyhood to manhood. Boys eagerly watch the infrequently performed ``Dama``, in anticipation of the day in which they may also participate in the dance. The village Elders, who are too old to endure the physical exertion of the dance, stand on the sideline, play the music, explain the meaning of the various masks, and keep the pace of the ritual going. The Dama is usually performed every five years or so. Another one is the ``Sigi`` The most significant celebration that take place every 60 years. The dancers of the sirige mask are considered the most skilled. They use their teeth to balance the 20-foot (6-meter) high mask, which is carved from the limb of a single tree. Dancers swing the mask in sweeping motions to represent the...
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...Final Image Preview ------------------------------------------------- The described effects look nice on portraits with good contrast and light background, but you can easy adjust the contrast and make the background lighter using possibilities of Photoshop. (to make this tutorial I have used Female Stock thanks to Katanaz-Stock). Step 1. In Adobe Photoshop, open our portrait ------------------------------------------------- and adjust the contrast Image>Adjustments>Brightness/Contrast ------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------- Step 2. From the Select menu, choose Color Range. ------------------------------------------------- From the Select drop-down menu in the Color Range dialog, choose Shadows and click OK. ------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------- Press Ctrl+J (MAC: Command+J ) to copy the selected shadows pixels in a new layer. Back to theBackground layer in the Layers palette. ------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------- Step 3. Use Color Range again, but now choose Midtones from the Select drop-down menu and click OK. ------------------------------------------------- Press Ctrl+J (MAC: Command+J ) to copy the selected midtones pixels in a new layer. ------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------- Step 4...
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...Literally essay Of Mice and Men Comparison The experience of the speaker in Paul Laurence Dunbar’s “We Wear the Mask” is comparable to Crooks experience in chapter 4 of John Steinbach’s Of Mice and Men. The mask being figurative refers to the emotional mask that covers and conceals one emotion which many blacks wore while being segregated because they were afraid of what would happen if they showed their true feelings. Crooks had a similar experience in chapter 4 in Steinbeck’s book in which he backed down from an argument because he was afraid of the consequences that might fall on him because he was black. One of the lines from Dunbar’s poem shows how effective one could use the mask to hide their anguish and sadness. “We wear the mask that grins and lies- It hides our cheeks and shades our eye-“, the people in this poem used this “mask” to shade their eyes and cheeks which made other people incapable of seeing their true. This method of blocking true emotions is effective because often you can see the real feelings and emotions of a person by looking into their eyes and cheeks which are supposedly “gateways” to one’s true self. By putting on an emotionless and blank persona you can show no sign of you ever being tortured by the hateful words thrown at you. Likewise Crooks also has to deal with hurtful comments such as the N word yet he abides and remains throughout the rest of the chapter with a blank emotionless tone and voice. In chapter 4 page 81, Curley’s wife...
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...The Hannya mask is a pat of Japanese culture. Hannya translates to wisdom, or more specifically, the Buddhist concept of Perfect Wisdom. Hannya is a demon or oni. They are also referred to as kijo - female demons. These appear in noh - a traditional masked drama with dance and song. They are human women who have been consumed by jealousy and transformed into demonesses. There are three types of hannya: namanari, chūnari, and honnari. The namanari still has human-like features. Their horns are small in size, and they use dark magic to perform their evil deeds. These demons still have a chance to change back into their human form. Chūnari are mid-level demons. They possess longer horns, and have tusk-like fangs. Their magic is also more powerful,...
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