We smile , but , O great Christ , our cries / To thee from tortured souls arise (10-11 , also demonstrate the deep commitment and steady belief in religion shared by many blacks . Dunbar 's reference to Jesus Christ may be incorporated to highlight religion as a salve to the mask wearer while participating in this folly of prevarication . Line twelve is a reference to the Negro spirituals sung by captive Africans in the new world . These melodies spirituals , some profoundly sorrowful yet always...











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