Masks

“Phenomenal Woman” by Maya Angelou (1978)

Unlike the “she” and “he” in “Masks,” the woman in Maya Angelou’s poem has no qualms about showing off her unique traits. “I walk into a room / Just as cool as you please,” she states. The speaker of the poem brims with confidence. She asserts her distinguishing characteristics—her “blue skin”—with aplomb. Similar to “Masks,” what makes this woman phenomenal remains elusive. No one can grasp this woman’s “inner mystery.” Both “Masks” and “Phenomenal Woman” imply individuality is hard to pinpoint, yet that doesn’t stop the woman from broadcasting her inscrutable, alluring singularity.

“Little Abigail and the Beautiful Pony” by Shel Silverstein (1981)

“Little Abigail and the Beautiful Pony” comes from Silverstein’s book of poems A Light in the Attic (1981). This poem reflects the idea in “Masks” that people and things can’t always end up together. Here, it’s not a girl and a boy who remain apart but a girl named Abigail and a pony. While driving through the country with her parents, Abigail spots a “beautiful sad-eyed” pony. The pony captivates Abigail. She must have it. She says if she doesn’t have it, she’ll die. Her parents refuse to get her the pony, so Abigail dies. Like the boy and girl in “Masks,” Abigail doesn’t get what she’s searching for.

“Masks” and “Little Abigail and the Beautiful Pony” both deal with complex themes like sadness, emptiness, and fate. Although, this poem sparked much more controversy than “Masks.” Parents thought Abigail’s bleak ending taught children a negative lesson, and they tried to ban the poem. As with “Masks,” the poem communicates Silverstein’s belief that endings are rarely happy.

“The Little Boy and the Old Man” by Shel Silverstein (1981)

This poem is also from A Light in the Attic. “The Little Boy and the Old Man” tackles the theme of relationships. Unlike the boy and girl—and Abigail and the pony—the little boy and the old man find one another and form a meaningful bond. This poem demonstrates that neither age nor gender automatically prevents people from getting along. Despite the difference in age, the young boy and old man discover that they have a lot in common. Similar to “Masks” in tone and mood, “The Little Boy and the Old Man” has melancholy moments. Although, as opposed to “Masks,” there are some funny lines as well. There’s not much humor in “Masks.”