The Souls of Black Folk W. E. B. Du Bois

title page of second edition of souls of black folk

in effort portray genius , humanity of black race, du bois published souls of black folk (1903), collection of 14 essays. james weldon johnson said book s effect on african americans comparable of uncle tom s cabin. introduction famously proclaimed problem of twentieth century problem of color line . each chapter begins 2 epigraphs – 1 white poet, , 1 black spiritual – demonstrate intellectual , cultural parity between black , white cultures. major theme of work double consciousness faced african americans: being both american , black. unique identity which, according du bois, had been handicap in past, strength in future: henceforth, destiny of race conceived leading neither assimilation nor separatism proud, enduring hyphenation.

jonathon s. kahn in divine discontent: religious imagination of du bois shows how du bois, in souls of black folk, represents exemplary text of pragmatic religious naturalism. on page 12 kahn writes: du bois needs understood african american pragmatic religious naturalist. mean that, du bois american traditional pragmatic religious naturalism, runs through william james, george santayana , john dewey, seeks religion without metaphysical foundations. kahn s interpretation of religious naturalism broad relates specific thinkers. du bois s anti-metaphysical viewpoint places him in sphere of religious naturalism typified william james , others.