Name: The Souls of Black Folk
Author: W. E. B. Du Bois
ISBN: 9780199555833

The Souls of Black Folk

W. E. B. Du Bois

As an Amazon Associate and affiliate partner, Menrva Books earns from qualifying purchases. Learn more

Author Description

Originally published in 1903, The Souls of Black Folk is a classic study of race, culture, and education at the turn of the twentieth century. With its singular combination of essays, memoir, and fiction, this book vaulted Du Bois to the forefront of American political commentary and civil rights activism. It is an impassioned, at times searing account of the situation of African Americans in the United States, making a forceful case for the access of African Americans to higher education and extolling the achievements of black culture. Du Bois advances the provocative and influential argument that due to the inequalities and pressures of the "race problem," African American identity is characterized by "double consciousness." This edition includes a valuable appendix of other writings by Du Bois, which sheds light on his motivation and his goals.About the Series: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the broadest spectrum of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, voluminous notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.

Menrva's Summary

THE THESIS

W. E. B. Du Bois investigates the psychological and social consequences of systemic racism in the United States at the turn of the twentieth century. Drawing on his background as a sociologist and civil rights activist, Du Bois synthesizes personal memoir, historical analysis, and cultural critique to argue that the African American experience is defined by a state of 'double consciousness.' He posits that the struggle for equality is inextricably linked to the pursuit of higher education and the preservation of black cultural identity.

THE SCOPE MAP

What You Will Find

Analysis of the post-Reconstruction era and the failure of the Freedmen's Bureau
The conceptual framework of 'double consciousness' and the 'veil' in American society
A critique of contemporary educational policies and the limitations of industrial training
Historical and sociological observations on the economic and social status of black communities in the South

THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE

Scholars and historians recognize this work as a foundational text in American sociology and civil rights literature. Readers frequently note the lyrical, academic density of the prose, which remains a primary reference point for discussions on racial identity and social justice.

Page Count:
272

Publication Date:
2009-01-15

Publisher:
Oxford University Press

ISBN-10:
0199555834

ISBN-13:
9780199555833

History

Non-Fiction

Essays

Sociology

Civil Rights