The Mask

The Mask

The mask is a form of deception or illusion. Sometimes, it can be worn as both. It hides the true emotions of slaves, keeping the slave master from knowing what is going on in their minds. The mask also allows the slave to have an identity without the master's detection. The mask gives the illusion that the slave is exactly how the masters believe, ignorant, incapable of true emotion, and unable to think for themselves.

A perfect depiction of the mask can be found in Charles Chestnutt's The Passing of Grandison. Colonel, Grandison's master, believed that he would never try to escape if allowed to go on a journey with his son, Dick. The colonel recommends to Dick that he bring Grandison along on his travels.

"What's the matter with Grandison?" suggested the colonel. " He's

handy enough, and I reckon we can trust him. He's too fond of

good eating to risk losing his regular meals; besides, he's sweet

on your mother's maid, Betty..." ( 536)

The colonel's belief in Grandison 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 better off than the free negroes that don't have " no kind master to look after them and no mistress to give them medicine." Grandison replies with an answer that reflecting his accommodation

to colonel.

" Well, I sh'd jes reckon I is better off, suh, dan dem low- down free

niggers, suh! Ef anybody ax'em who dey B'long ter, dey has ter say

nobody, er e'se lie erbout it. Anybody ax me who I B'longs ter, I

ain' 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 fool him into thinking that he never thought about being free. He was able to make the colonel believe that he was indeed content.

Not only 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, I's seen some of 'em. But I don' keer nuffin fer 'em, suh.

Dey're differ'nt f'm de niggers down on' way. Dey 'lows dey're free,

But dey ain' got sense 'nuff ter know ain' half as well off as dey

Would be down, souf, whar dey's be 'preciated.

By making this statement, Grandison gave the illusion that slaves were appreciated and that life down south was " the life". This is unbelievable to Dick. Even when Grandison was approached by abolitionists he explains to Dick that " dese yer abolitioners is jes' pesterin' de life out er me tryin' ter git me ter run