The Souls of Black Folk

1). Du Bois begins forethought declaring “the problem of the Twentieth Century is the problem of the color-line (894[full ed.]). This statement he reveals that the only thing that separating the black and white is their skin? Skin, which shouldn’t be the barrier between the two getting along and working among each other. This is a fact because you can’t change your color. Also, the significance of this quote is that it shows the fire to the flame of racism, which is discrimination and segregation.

“How does it feel to be a problem?” The quote tells that being black was a problem in the 1900s. It states him as an individual being part of the dispute of racism. Also, it clearly recognizes the fight over white superiority. It’s putting the burden and issue of a whole weight on one’s shoulder to make him feel as he’s doing something wrong.


Du Bois elaborative ways to use problem as a solution and as decoding himself shows his true creativity. It shows his ways to intertwine his pathos and logic. Also, he changing problem from being the whole black race toward being himself as an individual. If any Du Bois helped the to solve the problem of racism.


2). Du Bois realize his white classmate reaction to him he tells of the “vast veil”.” I held all beyond [the veil] in common contempt, and lived above in it a region of blue sky and great wandering shadows…”(896[full ed.]). This quote explains that “vast veil” is the farthest a black person can go with out getting held back because of skin color. He used “fine contempt” by not saying or complaining as a way to get by in the “white world”. Spoken word is what everyone is held to and he should be able to be opinionated without being ridiculed.

Dubois used his personal experiences to show how racism and discrimination affected him. He uses his emotions to show pain for racism and to give the reader sympathy upon the subject. Bois being content about his opinion lead to outburst and deranged mood swings. This all resulted from held in anger.

Its purpose of persuading people to feel black suffering and pain. Also, to live in the eyes of their ancestors to know deep hatred of the “colored race”. In a way it will give more respect to your elders and let the black youth know how much better they have it.

Extra Credit

4). Du Bois uses the “sorrow songs” in order to show the suffer of the black race. Also, it shows how they used to cope with their treatment. These songs helped them come above their obstacles and forget about their situation for time being. It also, tells of their newfound happiness and being equal now to the whites with their rights.

“Some echo of haunting melody from the only American music which welled up from black souls in the dark past”(895[full ed.]). This quote shows how the music the black have made is now listened to reveal their achievements not as to show what blacks were, but what they are now. It helps build and give them strength that if they came this far they came go above and beyond.