The Mask
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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 masters 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 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, Dick. The colonel recommends to Dick 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 regular meals; besides, hes sweet
on your mothers maid, Betty” ( 536)
The colonels 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 dont 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 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
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, Is seen some of em. But I don keer nuffin fer em, suh.
Deyre differnt fm de niggers down on way. Dey lows deyre free,
But dey ain got sense nuff ter know ain half as well off as dey
Would be down, souf, whar deys 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