Dough Face

By Madison Julius Cawein

    Made a face of biscuit-dough,     Which our black cook gave me once;     And this girl named So-and-So     Said 't was funnier than a dunce.     And she took it; put it on     Like a false-face. Had it drawn     Over all her face. "Ain't it,"     So she said, "a perfect fit?"     She looked funny as a clown;     And I called her Dough Face; she     Laughed and said, "Let's saunter down     Where the people, too, can see.     Maybe one will recognize,     In these features, nose and eyes,     Some long-lost belovd child,     And for very joy go wild."     It was getting dusk; and there     At the corner stood some girls;     When they saw us, I declare,     They just hollered, tossed their curls,     Ran away; and Dough Face fast     After them. And running past     Came some boys who, when they saw,     Shouted at her, "Mardi Graw!"     And one said, "That looks to me     Like that Girlie Good Enough.     Just as dough-faced, is n't she?     Get some dirt. Let's treat her rough."     And they got soft mud to throw.     Then she cried, "I'm So-and-So";     And the boys all shouted; for     You must know she's popular.     Then we had great times, we did:     First one boy he tried it on,     Then another; and he hid     In a house where folks were gone;     Stood there at a window where     People passing in the square     Saw him; and a nigger-man,     Scared to death, just yelled and ran.     Then another fellow clomb     A back-fence, and put the face     Over his. My! he looked rum.     Like a scarecrow in a place     Where he never ought to be.     And he rose up suddenly     By the window with a yell,     And the cook she shrieked and fell.     But the house-man, who was there     In the kitchen, was n't scared;     He just jumped up from his chair,     Banged the door wide; out he flared,     Caught that boy and cried"police!"     Tore the dough-mask, piece by piece,     From his face: then So-and-So     Screamed at him, "You let him go!"     On the hydrant was a hose;     Quick she took it; turned it on;     Streamed it in his mouth and nose:     In a moment we were gone,     Left him spluttering at our backs     Blind with water. We made tracks     Home. And So-and-So just crowed,     "End of Dough Face ep-i-sode."

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain

Analysis & Notes:
This poem is a lively narrative that explores themes of identity, childhood play, and societal roles. It utilizes humor, along with vivid and playful language, to depict a scene of youthful mischief and disguise, with the 'dough face' serving as a metaphor for the malleability of identity.

The poem is structured in consistent four-line stanzas with a clear AABB rhyme scheme, which gives it a rhythmic, song-like quality and makes the narrative easy to follow. There's a certain sense of community and togetherness that permeates the poem, as the children engage in collective play, challenging societal norms and expectations.

The tone of the poem is light-hearted and playful, reflecting the joy and freedom of childhood. The use of dialect and colloquial language adds authenticity to the characters and creates a sense of place and time. The poem also employs irony as the initial fun and games turn into a prank that goes too far, leading to chaos and eventually to the destruction of the dough face.

The poem makes effective use of imagery and vivid descriptions, such as "Like a scarecrow in a place / Where he never ought to be", to create a lively and engaging narrative. The final stanza provides a satisfying resolution, as the children celebrate the end of their mischievous episode. Overall, this poem is a delightful exploration of childhood, identity, and societal norms, demonstrating the power of humor and imagination.

Exploring Narrative Poetry

Narrative poetry is a form of poetry that tells a story, often making use of the voices of a narrator and characters as well. Unlike lyric poetry, which focuses on emotions and thoughts, narrative poetry is dedicated to storytelling, weaving tales that captivate readers through plot and character development.


Narrative poems are unique in their ability to combine the depth of storytelling with the expressive qualities of poetry. Here are some defining characteristics:

  • Structured Plot: Narrative poems typically have a clear beginning, middle, and end, following a plot that might involve conflict, climax, and resolution, much like a short story or novel.
  • Character Development: Characters in narrative poems are often well-developed, with distinct voices and personalities that drive the story forward.
  • Descriptive Language: The language used in narrative poetry is vivid and descriptive, painting a clear picture of the scenes and events, while also conveying the emotions and atmosphere of the story.

From ancient epics like "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey" to more modern narrative poems, this form continues to engage readers by blending the art of storytelling with the beauty and rhythm of poetry.