Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Response to "Souls of Black Folk" (Ch. 3)

Throughout the third chapter of "The Souls of Black Folk," Du Bois talks about Booker T. Washington. He talks about both his beliefs and his speech given at the Atlanta Exposition. He doesn't speak well of it at all, he seems to only ridicule it inside and out. While doing this, he still seems to include pathos as well as tone and detail. Du Bois knows how to somehow keep it a bit simple, while giving detail at the same exact time.
  Detail is one of the main things that Du Bois does not lack in chapter three. He does it two ways, by either saying his thoughts, then the detail, or vice versa. For example, he quotes Washington from the Atlanta Exposition Address, then goes into detail about his own thoughts and concerns. He quotes Washington's statement that says, "In all things purely social we can be as separate as the five fingers, and yet one as the hand in all things essential to mutual progress." He knows how to somehow fix it into his text so smoothly that you hardly even notice until he goes into a detailed explanation of it. Along with his detail is the tone in which it was given.
  Du Bois' tone is concerned as well as upset. He seems to be very upset with Washington's statements and some of his beliefs. His language is what makes his tone so easily noticeable. He does seem concerned though, because of the number of people that stand behind Washington. He seems to be very bothered as well as upset about that. He's a bit skeptical about what Washington said about most if not all of his address, and how blacks are 100% behind him not knowing what he does.
  Pathos is one of the least used though. Du Bois tries to get sympathy by making himself seem so miserable about everything he's against. He wants to be the man that all the blacks look up to and follow behind. It's obvious because of how he tries to criticize Washington, while giving his explanations hoping to get maybe a little pity for being underrated and misunderstood.

Response to "Souls of Black Folk"