The Basic
who wrote The Souls of black Folk
W.E.B Du Bios
What does Du Bois say African Americans want most?
Real freedom and equality
What emotion does the poem “O Water” mainly express?
Sadness and longing for peace.
What is the title of the first chapter?
Of our spiritual strivings
What is the “veil” a symbol of?
The barrier between Black and white Americans
How does “O Water” connect to Du Bois’s essay?
it reflects the same emotional and spiritual struggle for identity and peace.
When was the book published?
1903
What does Du Bois mean by “double consciousness”?
Feeling like you have two identities one Black, one America
What does the “endless crying” of the water represent?
The constant search for rest or equality that never seems to come.
What big historical event happened before this book that changed Black life in America?
The end of slavery / The Civil War
How does Du Bois describe the struggle of being both Black and American?
It’s hard to feel whole or accepted by society
How does the tone of “O Water” set the stage for Du Bois’s message?
It prepares readers for themes of struggle, unrest, and hope found in his essay.
Is the book souls of black folks fiction or non fiction
Non-Ficton
What kind of freedom does Du Bois say is not enough?
Just physical freedom spiritual and social freedom are also needed
Why is the poem’s spiritual tone important to understanding Du Bois’s writing?
It shows that the fight for equality is not only social and political but deeply spiritual.