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4.27 AVERAGE
4.27 AVERAGE
When "The Souls of Black Folk" was first published in 1903, it sparked significant discussion about race in America. The book remains a key work in American literature and a guiding light in the struggle for civil rights. W. E. B. Du Bois believed that one could understand a race's "soul" by examining the souls of individuals. He skillfully combines history with compelling autobiography to highlight the severity of American racism and to propose a path forward in the fight against oppression. Additionally, he introduces the now-famous concepts of the color line, the veil, and double consciousness.
It's somewhat challenging to review this book because it discusses various topics. While it provides valuable insights into the lives of African Americans after Emancipation, the author's writing style can be challenging to follow. He alternates between using metaphors to describe the black experience and adopting a more textbook, sociological approach.
It's somewhat challenging to review this book because it discusses various topics. While it provides valuable insights into the lives of African Americans after Emancipation, the author's writing style can be challenging to follow. He alternates between using metaphors to describe the black experience and adopting a more textbook, sociological approach.
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
challenging
dark
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
challenging
emotional
informative
sad
slow-paced
challenging
informative
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
challenging
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
It’s good.
I didn’t give it full marks just because it has a little of everything. Unfortunately, when you have everything, there are some parts that are less engaging to me than others.
A little history.
A little social observations.
A little social commentary.
A little anecdotes.
A little poetic story telling.
A little Allegory.
It’s certainly open my mind to the past, the present and the future.
Ps.
I just thought about how interesting the levels of passions running through the different parts.
The historical “section” is oddly dispassionate. He often gives objective, rational arguments for some of the racism and discrimination. Then discusses the plight of the freedman and the where the prejudice may have originated from.
Sometimes it’s strange, He’ll offer some rationalizations like “of course the black man is lazy, we gave him freedom but taught him the meaningless of his actions”.
And initially you go “Du Bois is so right”
But then you think, “wait a minute, you mean ‘all black men’, Du Bois?”
You go further down a couple of chapter and you can really feel Du Bois passion in the anecdotes and stories he tells.
This book has a wide range.
I didn’t give it full marks just because it has a little of everything. Unfortunately, when you have everything, there are some parts that are less engaging to me than others.
A little history.
A little social observations.
A little social commentary.
A little anecdotes.
A little poetic story telling.
A little Allegory.
It’s certainly open my mind to the past, the present and the future.
Ps.
I just thought about how interesting the levels of passions running through the different parts.
The historical “section” is oddly dispassionate. He often gives objective, rational arguments for some of the racism and discrimination. Then discusses the plight of the freedman and the where the prejudice may have originated from.
Sometimes it’s strange, He’ll offer some rationalizations like “of course the black man is lazy, we gave him freedom but taught him the meaningless of his actions”.
And initially you go “Du Bois is so right”
But then you think, “wait a minute, you mean ‘all black men’, Du Bois?”
You go further down a couple of chapter and you can really feel Du Bois passion in the anecdotes and stories he tells.
This book has a wide range.
This was a good book to see what life was like during this time period. Some of the presented themes and struggles are still apparent these days. It provides hope for the future and reflection on the past. If anyone wants insight as to the struggles of the past, I would recommend checking out this time honored classic.
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
updated my review and changed rating from 5 stars to 3.5 stars because I read this farrrr more critically (probably b/c I'm reading this 2 years later).
many, many thoughts.... Du Bois was so very classist and colorist that this book is so hard to read at times.
many, many thoughts.... Du Bois was so very classist and colorist that this book is so hard to read at times.