Summary
Published in 1903, The Souls of Black Folk is a foundational work in African American literature and sociology.
In this powerful collection of fourteen essays, W.
E.
B.
Du Bois explores the lived experience of Black Americans in the aftermath of the Civil War and the ongoing legacy of slavery, racism, and segregation in the United States.
Du Bois introduces the concept of "double consciousness"—the internal conflict experienced by African Americans who must reconcile their Black identity with a society that devalues them.
He critiques Booker T.
Washington’s accommodationist approach, argues for full civil rights and higher education for Black people, and reflects on his own experiences and those of his community with lyrical intensity.
The book combines historical analysis, philosophy, sociology, and personal narrative, making it both a work of scholarship and a passionate call for justice.