The Souls of Black Folks by W.E.B DuBois: Chapter 1: Of Our Spiritual Striving - Analysis
Themes · A yearning that is never satisfied · Blacks are a problem in America · The struggle of the blacks is never openly addressed · Negro as seventh son · Desire to outdo whites · Blacks hate whites · Blacks are subservient to whites · Blacks are strangers in their own house · Blacks have no identity of their own · The black identity is dual and conflicting: American and Negro · The struggle to build an identity out of merging of the two · Love-hate relationship with African culture · Not knowing what to do with freedom · Path to true freedom through voting and education · Education takes a long time · A combination of work, culture and liberty are needed for black empowerment · Black culture and lore is at the heart of America Style and devices · Flowery language “That sky was bluest when I could beat my mates