What is Real

What truly lies in the heart of men? No one knows. People’s intentions and real feelings hide themselves from those looking in. “The Brazilian Cat” by Arthur Cannon Doyle, “We Wear the Mask”by Paul Laurence Dunbar, “Richard Cory” by Edwin Robinson, and The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis display these traits in real life situations. Actions do not reflect the heart.

First, “The Brazilian Cat” by Doyle shows that people are not how they appear. Marshall, a man struggling financially and waiting for a large inheritance, gets an invitation to visit a relative, Mr. King. At first the reader finds great interest in the kindness of King; he handles himself in a very proper way allowing no room for suspicion. Later we learn that he invited Marshall for the purpose of killing him and collecting the inheritance, which King sits second in line for. Doyle makes a point through his story, that people’s intentions are always self-centered. Although they appear kind or genuine, their flesh always wins. Marshall thought King had kind intentions; however his true purpose for inviting Marshall did not reflect in his behavior. Outwardly, King seemed kind, but all men hide their true nature from others.

Additionally, Dunbar’s poem, “We Wear the Mask,” excellently puts these same traits into words. It begins with, “We wear the mask that grins and lies,/ it hides our cheeks and shades our eyes…” (lines 1-2).  This poem appears to be a simple rhyme, but when dissected, a whole different meaning appears. Everyone puts on a facade to hide what is really going on inside as the poem states in the first line. People smile, but the smile they wear does not display their true feelings; for what truly lies in their heart hides behind false actions and outward emotions.

Furthermore, the second line has a similar affect. One could read it and think that the poet just chose the words in order to rhyme. However, expressions of the face (checks) hold all the true emotions for an individual. Likewise, the eyes are windows to the soul. By covering them with a mask, no one can see the true hurt they hide. Masks represent false actions. According to Dunbar, the mouth (speech) reveals only what the speaker desires people to know. Whatever comes out of the mouth, people believe, because their expressions hide behind a “mask.”

Similarly, “Richard Cory” by Robinson also illustrates what people display, versus how they truly feel. Cory, a well-to-do gentleman, appears to be living the high life. No one in his town takes time to really get to know him. Without knowing his true feelings, others covet his seemingly worry free life until one day he commits suicide to the surprise of his acquaintances. Should they have been surprised? They know him only by what he wore, how he acted, and what he said. People seem happy, though they hide behind whatever others will believe.

Also, The Screwtape Letters by Lewis makes a similar point. Screwtape, a head demon, coached Wormwood, his apprentice, saying “experience is the mother of all illusion (146).” People are deceived very easily by what they see. Someone may see a friend and make false assumptions about them based on their behavior; however, people’s true feelings never surface. Experience dictates what people believe; based on Screwtape, experience is the easiest way to become deceived, for people think they know others by how they appear.

In the end, all the authors make the same point but in very different ways. People hide their true feelings in order to “trick” others into perceiving them in a way that is favorable, while burying pain or dishonest motives. Nothing seen by others truly reflects one’s heart. Most people hide their real feelings from others to preserve an envied social image, or simply to hide hurt. What people display, whether actions or emotions, is falsely interpreted by others.