Answer:
In Dunbar's poem, the mask represents the façade that individuals wear to conceal their true emotions and struggles. This concept aligns with the naturalistic idea that society plays a significant role in shaping individuals.
The mask symbolizes the societal expectations, norms, and pressures that lead individuals to suppress their genuine feelings and present a false image to the world. Society influences individuals to conform to certain behaviors and appearances, often causing them to hide their true selves behind a veneer of smiles and subtleties.
The mask, as portrayed in the poem, underscores the idea that societal factors can force individuals to adopt behaviors that may not reflect their authentic emotions or experiences. This aligns with naturalism's emphasis on external influences, such as environment and societal forces, in shaping an individual's thoughts, behaviors, and responses. The mask serves as a vivid representation of the impact of society on an individual's outward expression and contributes to the naturalistic belief that individuals are molded by the conditions and expectations of their surroundings.