American Lit II: W.E.B. Dubois, From The Souls of Black Folk

The Souls of Black Folk is an eary twentieth century take on what Dubois calls the problem of the color line. Dubois' views on how one views themselves through the eyes of others, particularly through someone of another race, is called double consciousness. Since The Souls of Black Folk has been published, double consciousness has become an important tool to judge the progress of race relations in America. In Souls, Dubois offers his thoughts on potential obstacles to progress for the African-American race, and also speaks of the possible progress the race can make as the nation entered the 20th century. Throughout this story, Dubois speaks about the years after the civil war, relates some life experiences as a teacher, and speaks of the opinions of Booker T. Washinton and others like Washington. This was a very informative read.