The mask is a very interesting piece of costuming, with a rich history in the arts, including visual arts, theatre, literature, film... the list goes on. The mask is a symbol of mystery, deception, disguise, sensuality, and celebration. Based on the type of mask, the symbolism changes.
Take, for instance, the Italian theatre form called commedia dell'arte . This is where we get the stock characters commonly seen in modern sitcoms and other forms of storytelling, and masks were a very central part of these characters. The character 'Pantelone' is the dirty old man, rich and miserly. The mask often had bushy eyebrows and facial hair to signify age, with the occasional pair of spectacles. A long, hooked nose was common. 'Capitano' was the boastful soldier who, despite his constant stories of success on the battlefield, would flee at the first sign of a fight. His mask had a long nose, a phallic symbol, but also often contained design elements from North Africa, where he often served as a soldier. It was meant to represent a dichotomy between the brave and aggressive soldier, and the cowardly nature. There is a whole treasure trove of symbolism in the mask, especially in regards to commedia.
All of this made me thinking of where masks have been seen in literature, and I have compiled a short list. Some of these I have read, others I have not. I would love to discuss the mask in more detail with these books, but I will wait until I have finished reading all of these.
1. The Man in the Iron Mask by Alexandre Dumas
This novel was first published in serial form from 1847 to 1850. It is the fourth and final volume of the d'Artagnan Romances.
2. The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux
This was first published in September of 1909. We have all, undoubtedly, heard of the musical inspired by the book of the same name. It is a common literary reference, which has inspired many parodies and adaptations to the stage and film, and even other novels that seek to answer questions about the Phantom's mysterious past.
3. The Red Mask of Death by Edgar Allen Poe
This short story was published in 1842. It has been adapted into various stage productions. Poe is known for his frightening horror stories, and this one is no exception. It is in public domain so can be found to read online or in various collections of his works. If you like this one, I suggest moving on to some of his other works.
4. The Mask by William Butler Yeats
This is one of the many poetic works written by Yeats, who lived from 1865-1939. I love reading his works out loud, and this one is no exception. It can be found online or in poetry collections.
5. Watchmen by Alan Moore
This graphic novel was published in 1986. I'll be honest, I haven't read it. It is a violent graphic novel, and I have a hard time with that. I will read it eventually, when I feel ready to face the violence it contains. It speaks a great deal about social issues and the human condition as it follows the stories of various superheroes, including the ever changing mask of Rorschach. Masks play a huge role in the world of superheroes and supervillains. I can hardly include them all here, so I have chosen just this one.
6. The Haunted Mask by R.L. Stine
I loved reading this series of books when I was younger. There are so many that I know I didn't even read half of the collection, and it's something I have often thought of. I would love to try to read them all. This particular book was published in 1993, and follows the main character of Carly Beth on Halloween when she buys a mask to get even with all the people who frightened and humiliated her.
7. The Phantom of the Auditorium by R. L. Stine
This book was published in 1994, and is a clear reference to The Phantom of the Opera. It is a great introduction to the story for younger readers who enjoy spooky stories but may not be ready to read the classic book that inspired this one.
This list barely scratches the surface. Have you read any of these books? Are there any books, poems, or songs that use the mask as a literary element you enjoy that I didn't include? Let me know what you thought of them!
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