The Souls of Black Folk Critical Analysis

Critical Analysis Madonna R. Stengel Spalding University In the selections, Forethought, Chapter I and Chapter V from W. E. B. De Bois The Souls of Black Folk, the author is attempting to explain the inner struggle playacting out in the subconscious of African-Americans minds following the era of reconstruction, as hale as offer his common sense solutions to this matter. He refers to this battle of dueling realities within the mind as double consciousness, using the disguise as a metaphor to illustrate the isolation and close totimes the surety felt when living within the veil.He attempted to help African-Americans, as well as whites find peace with each other and within their souls, by being true to themselves, instead of accepting the imputed identities or being the offenders who ascribe those identities. This theme of autonomy and injustice is obviously a common cast of many African American authors, although De Bois takes the concepts a bit further by analyzing ascribed v s. avowed identity and the reality of human limitations.The depicted object, especially in Chapter V is a forward thinking, broad view that involves setting ethical priorities, educating good deal allowly, while non allowing imposed limitations regarding race, gender or socio-economics to hold approximately back nor the stumbling block of human limitations hold other back. Therein lies the leaving between De Bois and some other authors, who endeavor to empower by offer only grandiose ideals without common sense solutions. W. E. B De Bois was very concerned with this dual consciousness theory and image of the veil as an entree to stimulateing broad understanding to the African-American experience.He believed that it was important for African-Americans to recognize this phenomenon, save equally important was the education and recognition of those who imposed the veil. De Bois is implying, not so subtly, with the veil analogy that its a tool to separate and minify whoever is wearing it and if there is no ability to look figuratively into the eyes, unitary cant eff the soul, and if one cant know the soul, one does not have to recognize the humanity. Therefore, injustices and sub-human treatment is much easier to read out and defend.Also, as educator De Bois was concerned with access to an equitable and appropriate education for all, even if that meant teaching the thespian to work. He realized that the strike to empowerment was education. He also realized that it was not only the African- Americans universe that was in need of an education. He held strong to the belief that it was imperative to prepare blacks and whites with respect to one anothers culture, in an effort to bring peace and understanding between the races. He also realized that some people, regardless of their race, social status or gender were more given over to be scholarly than others.He writes, Neither or both teach the worker to work and the thinker to think And the final p roduct of our training moldiness be neither a psychologist nor a brickmason, but a man. And to progress men, we must have ideals, broad, pure and inspiring ends of livingnot disreputable money-getting, not apple of gold. The worker must work for the glory of his handiwork, not simply for pay the thinker must think for truth, not fame. So, the message is be true to oneself, and the rest will follow. Works Cited Du Bois, W. E. B. (1969) The souls of black tribe Essays and sketches. New York Fawcett World Library.