Final answer:
The primary theme of the first stanza in Dunbar's poem "We Wear the Mask" is the deceptive nature of human expressions in society, symbolizing the concealment of true emotions behind a facade to conform to societal norms. Option number b is correct.
Step-by-step explanation:
The main theme of the first stanza in Paul Laurence Dunbar's poem "We Wear the Mask" is b. The deceptive nature of human expressions in society. This theme addresses how people often hide their true feelings and struggles behind a figurative mask, presenting a facade to the world that conceals their authentic selves. Dunbar's use of the mask as a symbol represents the ways in which individuals mask their pain, sorrows, and vulnerabilities in order to conform to societal expectations or avoid judgment. The poem explores the conflict between external appearances and internal realities, emphasizing the emotional labor involved in maintaining such deceptions.
The phrase "We wear the mask that grins and lies" explicitly describes the duplicitous nature of these human expressions, suggesting that what is shown on the outside often contradicts the truth hidden beneath.