Prayer to the Masks

Léopold Sédar Senghor

Fiction | Poem | Adult | Published in 1945

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Summary

Background

Poem Analysis

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Literary Devices

Themes

Honoring Our Ancestors Strengthens Us

Senghor uses “Prayer to the Masks” to look back at his ancestors and history. The poem concludes with a renewed sense of vigor, signifying that honoring the past helps us in the present. Early in the poem, as the narrator prays to the masks—the spirits of the dead—the spirits are portrayed as powerful and meaningful: “You guard this place, that is closed to any feminine laughter, to any / mortal smile. / You purify the air of eternity, here where I breathe the air of my / fathers.” (Lines 6-9). The spirits of the past guard and purify, imbuing them with positive attributes that the narrator acknowledges and admires. In their eternal state, the spirits of the dead are smooth and perfect, and the narrator’s very existence is indebted to them: “Masks of maskless faces, free from dimples and wrinkles. / You have composed this image, this my face that bends” (Lines 10-11). Again, the narrator’s ancestors are beautiful in their eternity and aspects of their admirable traits are impressed on the narrator’s appearance, showing a deep appreciation for one’s ancestry. Throughout the first half of the poem, Senghor allows the narrator to engage and praise their ancestors’ spirits. The spirits have positive attributes, agency, and beauty, and they pass these traits onto the living, showing the beneficial relationship that can flourish when a person honors the past.

As the narrator prays, the poem shifts focus to the troubled present, but the present becomes more manageable with the help of African history and culture. The narrator asks the masks to look toward the children of Africa, and their impoverished state: “Now turn your immobile eyes towards your children who / have been called / And who sacrifice their lives like the poor man his last garment” (Lines 18-20). The narrator thinks of their community, but they aren’t alone anymore, aided by the presence of their ancestors. The poem progresses, and the narrator sees that African people are well-suited to heal the world: “For who else would teach rhythm to the world that has / died of machines and cannons? / For who else should ejaculate the cry of joy, that arouses the dead / and the wise in a new dawn?” (Lines 23-26). Through the narrator’s prayer, Senghor shows that honoring one’s past can lead to new realizations about the present and imbue the living with strength.

A Better World is Possible Through Resilience

“Prayer to the Masks” portrays the world as one fraught with tension and decay, but the poem sees this as an opportunity to be resilient and rebuild. Written during World War II, Senghor describes a changing political landscape: “Now while the Africa of despotism is dying—it is the agony of a pitiable princess,” (Lines 14-15). In the present moment, Africa is in a dire state. Senghor reiterates the imagery of a dying world later in the poem, noting the destruction caused by war: “For who else would teach rhythm to the world that has / died of machines and cannons?” (Lines 23-24). Whereas the spirits of the narrator’s ancestors are breathing, eternal, and purifying, the physical world—reeling from war—is portrayed as dying and damaged.

Not all hope is lost, however. Senghor pivots to optimism at the end of the poem, embracing a message of resilience and growth. Leading into the final lines, the narrator repeats that no one is better suited to rebuild the world than Black people. By being resilient, despite racism and prejudices, their culture and labor will thrive: “They call us cotton heads, and coffee men, and oily men. / They call us men of death. / But we are the men of the dance whose feet only gain / power when they beat the hard soil.” (Lines 29-32). The narrator’s people aren’t only capable of combating racism, their culture of dance and endurance makes their power grow, and the image of them dancing on the soil of the earth implies joy and future prosperity.

Praying Can Be Healing

The tone of “Prayer to the Masks” is often dramatic and urgent, but Senghor structures the poem to show the healing abilities of prayer. The title informs the reader that the poem is formatted as a type of prayer. As the narrator prays to the masks, they remind the spirits that they need help: “In the name of your image, listen to me!” (Line 13). The spirits never speak back to the narrator, increasing the stakes of the narrative and capturing how prayer can feel for many; we can pray for help and guidance, but we never fully know if any spirits or God are listening to us. However, by the end of the poem, despite whether the spirits hear the narrator’s prayer or not, the narrator leaves the poem feeling renewed and strong. Through the act of prayer, the narrator feels connected to their history and culture, then sees how that culture gives their people power, showing that the simple action of prayer can be a beneficial and healing practice.