The Mask :: essays research papers

The MaskThe suppress is a form of deceit or illusion. Sometimes, it can be worn as both. It hides the true emotions of slaves, memory the slave master from knowing what is going on in their minds. The affect as well allows the slave to have an identity without the masters detection. The mask gives the illusion that the slave is exactly how the masters believe, ignorant, incapable of true emotion, and unable(p) to think for themselves.A perfect depiction of the mask can be found in Charles Chestnutts The Passing of Grandison. Colonel, Grandisons master, believed that he would never try to escape if allowed to go on a journey with his son, asshole. The colonel recommends to shaft of light that he bring Grandison along on his travels.Whats the matter with Grandison? suggested the colonel. Hes handy enough, and I reckon we can trust him. Hes too fond of good eating to risk losing his incessant meals besides, hes sweeton your mothers maid, Betty ( 536)The colonels belief in Gra ndison as a faithful servant, proves that he was in fact deceived by the mask that Grandison was wearing.In another passage, colonel is discussing with Grandison if he feels stop off than the bare(a) negroes that dont have no mannequin master to look after them and no mistress to give them medicine. Grandison replies with an outcome that reflecting his accomadation to colonel. Well, I shd jes reckon I is better off, suh, dan dem low- down free niggers, suh Ef anybody axem who dey Blong ter, dey has ter say nobody, er ese lie erbout it. Anybody ax me who I Blongs ter, I personal got no casion ter be shame ter tell em, no, suh, deed I ain, suh (536)By Grandison replying in this matter, he used the mask to deceive the colonel and lounge about him into thinking that he never thought about being free. He was able to make the colonel believe that he was indeed content.Not altogether was Grandison able to fool the colonel with the mask, but he was able to fool Dick as well. While they were up north, Dick warned Grandison about the abolitionists. He also tells him that it is his opportunity to see how the free negroes live. Dick asks Grandison if he met any of them.Yas, suh, Is seen some of em. But I don keer nuffin fer em, suh.