Preview

The Souls Of Black Folk

Satisfactory Essays
Open Document
Open Document
248 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
The Souls Of Black Folk
The Souls of Black Folk
Web Du Bois

“The Souls of Black Folk” is a classic work about the struggle for civil rights. The book goes on to describe the life of those in the south, the poor conditions and the cultural practices of slavery. Du Bois talks about the living conditions that colored people were forced to endure, due to poverty and a lack of education. He describes the family breakdowns that were caused by poverty, and explains the meaning of the emancipation, and its effect, and his views on the role of the leaders of his race. Du Bois primarily criticizes Booker T. Washington for not insisting on suffrage and higher education. The need for education and suffrage become the main topic in the rest of the book.

I found that the teachings in this book are highly relevant for today’s world. It is always important to know where we have come from but I think the issues in this book are as valid today as they were when in the book. The importance of education, the importance of universal suffrage and being involved in the political process inherent problems when one group dominates another. None of these issues have gone away, and none of these issues have been fully resolved. I recommend this book for people to read and learn also. There are a lot of valuable lessons that lie in this book, and I encourage everyone to take time and read the book.
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    W. E. B. Dubois's The Souls Of Black Folk
    • 164 Words
    • 1 Page

    W. E. B. Dubois's The Souls Of Black Folk

    In Chapter 1 of the second paragraph of W.E.B. DuBois’s The Souls of Black Folk, DuBois uses a descriptive style of writing to create a sense of deep spiritual connection with his reader. DuBois incorporated numerous vivid phrases, such as “rollicking boyhood” and “wee wooden schoolhouse” to deliver the reader into the very place and time of an unforgettable event that happened when he was a young child. This event sets the tone of his book as it gives the reader an explanation for the motives behind every decision he made in his lifetime. The words “vast veil” becomes a powerful way to grasp the very essence of DuBois’s feelings toward white people. In a unique application of “the blue sky”, DuBois constructs a vibrant picture of joyful…

    • 164 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Manning Marable Summary
    • 185 Words
    • 1 Page

    Manning Marable Summary

    In Manning Marable article the focus was directed to W. E . Du Bois works . Du bios was without a doubt the most influential and intellectual black man in the history of America . Gaining international recognition for his essay souls of the black folks , where he undauntedly and courageously point that racial inequality has been a big issue " the problem of the twentieth century is the problem of the color line " . Du Bois took part in the examination of social and racial movement in the United States and globally . Marable argues that regardless of how good Du Bois works were , some of it like " the relationship between human beings and nature " which was such an essential part of his major work have still not received the recognition and…

    • 185 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    The Soul of Black Folk and Up from Slavery
    • 415 Words
    • 2 Pages

    The Soul of Black Folk and Up from Slavery

    c. Education: Clark graduated from high school and then went on to attend a top culinary school. He was a gifted chess player within in school years.…

    • 415 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Summary Of The Souls Of Black Folk By W. E. B. Dubois
    • 243 Words
    • 1 Page

    Summary Of The Souls Of Black Folk By W. E. B. Dubois

    In the Souls of Black Folk, W.E.B DuBois’ most prominent work introduces and addresses two concepts that can be described as the black experience in America. The two concepts are “the veil” and “double-consciousness.” Through DuBois use of these terms it describes the undercurrent of African-American emotions they could not express. The terms accurately describe the dilemma of being Black and American in the past. Many literary works have included the concept of “the veil” and “double-consciousness”.…

    • 243 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Summary Of The Souls Of Black Folk By W. E. B. Dubois
    • 703 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Summary Of The Souls Of Black Folk By W. E. B. Dubois

    The Souls of Black Folk by W.E.B DuBois is a book that includes various the issues that many black people have faced during the Twentieth Century through his own personal essays. Each chapter contains a different issue that black people have faced and how they feel behind the imaginary “veil” that has been placed upon African Americans. This veil represents the imaginary line between the lives of white and black people. Black people can see and understand everything around them while the others, white people, cannot see and understand black people because they are behind the veil. The book mainly focuses on the aspects on how black people truly view life behind the veil hence the title The Souls of Black Folk.…

    • 703 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Talented Tenth Summary
    • 697 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Talented Tenth Summary

    This paper discusses the ideology of the Talented Tenth as was advocated for by Mr. W.E.B. Du Bois. The Negro Problem was a book that hit the shelves of most libraries in 1903 when it was authored by the Northern Philanthropists (Horne 74). The book was publicized by Mr. W.E.B. Du Bois who was a scholar among the blacks. The second chapter of the book entailed the Talented Tenth topic, which discussed the ability of the ten percent of the population being empowered. Mr. Du Bois believed that by empowering the portion of the Negro community, they would gain capacities to improve the lives of the rest of the community. He believed that a tenth of the community would receive the high level of education and act as change agents for the other members of the community (Washington 63). It was at a time when most of the Negro community could only access industrial training sponsored by the government. Mr. Du Bois perceived the training as retrogressive and only aimed at maintaining the status of the Negros as second generation humans. Essentially, it meant that they…

    • 697 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Compare And Contrast Washington And W. E. B Dubois
    • 347 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Compare And Contrast Washington And W. E. B Dubois

    In the early 1900’s both Booker T. Washington and W.E.B Du Bois presented a plan for racial justice. While the two plans fought for the same people, their approach, ideologies, and goals differed. Both men were brave to speak out, but overall Du Bois created a plan that was radical and one that represented the African American community well. Du Bois most compelling tool used in his plan for racial justice lies in his word choices. The way he uses metaphors like “the veil” and “double consciousness” to highlight what it was like to have dark skin in that time period allows the reader to empathize with him.…

    • 347 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    W. E. B. Dubois's 'The Souls Of Black Folk'
    • 197 Words
    • 1 Page

    W. E. B. Dubois's 'The Souls Of Black Folk'

    The depth of the impact that prejudice embarked on his life is the main focal point W.E.B. DuBois establishes in Chapter 1, paragraph 2 of his book The Souls of Black Folk. DuBois magnificently orchestrates an allure for the reader as he opens the paragraph with his earliest memory as a young lad. He reveals a story of how the attitude of one girl planted roots of discrimination deep down in his soul. As DuBois’s boyhood grew into adolescent youth, the feelings of social rejection were nourished with a longing for equal treatment among the white community. Every event blossomed into an opportunity of challenge as he persevered to surpass his white opponents. He relished in self-gratification with every successful achievement. As a mature…

    • 197 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Compare And Contrast Washington And W. E. B Dubois
    • 1311 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Compare And Contrast Washington And W. E. B Dubois

    When racism was a huge problem in the U.S in the late 20th century there were two main African American leaders that stepped into play to help control the issues. Even though they were completely opposite both of them made huge changes in the segregation of the United States of America, the names Booker T. Washington and W.E.B Dubois will never be forgotten, As a consequence the rivalry between Booker T. Washington and W.E.B Du Bois is one well known to scholars and historians of the African American community. This paper compares and contrasts the ideals of Washington and Du Bois and identifies the difference between the two dealing with discrimination.…

    • 1311 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Washington vs. Du Bois Dbq
    • 1362 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Washington vs. Du Bois Dbq

    Du Bois urged African Americans to involve themselves in politics. Gaining this power would be essential to immediate beseeching of rights. Political association would prevent blacks from falling behind because "when the Negro found himself deprived of influence in politics, therefore, and at the same time unprepared to participate in the higher functions in the industrial development which this country began to undergo, it soon became evident to him that he was losing ground in the basic things of life" (Doc I). Du Bois also directly challenged Washington when he stated "that the way for a people to gain their reasonable rights is a not by voluntarily throwing them away and insisting that they do not want them" (Doc E). W.E.B. Du Bois goes on to criticize that "that the principles of democratic government are losing ground, and caste distinctions are growing in all directions" (Doc F). All of these political demands are comprehensible but Du Bois desired a radical change; "Negroes must insist continually, in season and out of season" (Doc E). This is close to nagging, which was surely unfavorable among primarily white politicians. The…

    • 1362 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Burgard Du Dubois Accomplishments
    • 815 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Burgard Du Dubois Accomplishments

    He became the most important black protest leader of the primary half of the twentieth century. His views clashed with Booker T. Washington, who considered the black people of America was obligated to effortlessly settle for discrimination, and anticipated to finally receive respect and equality through diligence and success. Du Bois wrote The Souls of Black folk in 1903, criticizing Booker T. Washington, claiming that his concepts would lead to a perpetuation of oppression rather than releasing the black people from it. Du Bois criticism caused a branching out of the black civil rights movement, Booker’s conservative followers, and a drastic following of his critics. Du Bois had established the Black Nationalism that was the inspiration for all black liberation all through the civil rights movement, but had begun during the progressive…

    • 815 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Up from Slavery: the Struggles and Triomphs of Booker T. Washington in a Divided America
    • 762 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Up from Slavery: the Struggles and Triomphs of Booker T. Washington in a Divided America

    Cited: Gibson, Robert A. Booker T. Washington and W. E. B. Du Bois: The Problem of Negro…

    • 762 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    W.E.B. Du Bois vs. Booker T. Washington
    • 1358 Words
    • 6 Pages

    W.E.B. Du Bois vs. Booker T. Washington

    During the turn of the century, between the years 1895 and 1915 there were many theories of how African Americans were going to achieve first-class citizenship. At this time first-class citizenship was determined by at least three aspects: political power, civil rights, and the higher education of Negro youth. Two prominent black leaders arose in order to accomplish this feat. They had two different ideas for one goal. These two black leaders during this time were Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois. Booker T. Washington was considered at this time to be the spokesman of the black race, however, W.E.B. Du Bois proposed a plan that set him right under, if not with, Mr. Washington. While Booker T. Washington believed in industrial and agricultural labor; I adamantly agree with W.E.B. Du Bois 's strategy of the pursuit of intellect through higher education in order to gain first-class citizenship for the African American race.…

    • 1358 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Booker T. Dubois Influence On Black History
    • 1760 Words
    • 8 Pages

    Booker T. Dubois Influence On Black History

    In this view, he clashed with the most influential black leader of the period, Booker T. Washington, who, preaching a philosophy of accommodation, urged blacks to accept discrimination for the time being and elevate themselves through hard work and economic gain, thus winning the respect of the whites. In 1903, in his famous book The Souls of Black Folk, Du Bois charged that Washington's strategy, rather than freeing the black man from oppression, would serve only to perpetuate it. This attack crystallized the opposition to Booker T. Washington among many black intellectuals, polarizing the leaders of the black community into two wings—the “conservative” supporters of Washington and his “radical”…

    • 1760 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Reading Response to W.E.B. Du Bois
    • 324 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Reading Response to W.E.B. Du Bois

    In chapter three of the Souls of Black Folks, W.E.B. Du Bois argues that although Booker T. Washington has took many stands in opposition of the injustices done to black people, his “Atlanta Compromise” speech has done more to hinder the black community than help it. Washington believed that reconstruction failed because African Americans were offered too much too soon, so he believed that industrial education should be stressed to his pupils rather than intellectual education. In his speech he advocated that they should be starting at the bottom rather than at the top and that if they are patient, basic human rights such as being able to vote may follow some time in the future. Washington asked that black people give up three things: political power, insistence on civil rights and higher education of Negro youth. Du Bois argues against this, saying that, “the way for a people to gain their reasonable rights is not by voluntarily throwing them away and insisting that they do not want them” (Du Bois, pg. 39). I agree with Du bois in this because if people do not stand up for their rights and make it known that they are not going to budge in their pursuit of them, then there will be no proper motivation for their current state to be actively changed. Without this constant insistence, people may never truly realize that “color discrimination is barbarism” (Bu bois, pg. 39). Du Bois states that in the years after Washington made his speech there had occurred “the disfranchisement of the Negro, the legal creation of a distinct status of civil inferiority of the Negro and the steady withdrawal of aid from institutions for the higher training of the Negro” (Du Bois, pg. 37). Although these occurrences were not directly caused by Washington’s speech, his propaganda was a catalyst for them.…

    • 324 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More