Ethnic American Literature, fall 2007
Essay #1
Due in class Sept. 19

In “Of Our Spiritual Strivings,” the first chapter of his The Souls of Black Folk, W.E.B. DuBois famously presents the concept of “double-consciousness, this sense of always looking at one’s self through the eyes of others, of measuring one’s soul by the tape of a world that looks on in amused contempt and pity” (5). Relate DuBois’s idea of “double-consciousness” to one of the other essays we have read (Hurston’s “How It Feels to Be Colored Me,” Noda’s “Growing Up Asian in America,” or Rich’s “Split at the Root”).

While you will have the opportunity to skip one writing assignment this semester (I’ll give seven, you should write six), I would like everyone to write this assignment. This is because 1) double consciousness is a significant concept I’d like everyone to spend time working with, 2) I’d like to get to know everyone’s writing right away, and 3) it’s a shame to use up your “freebie” on the first assignment, when we’re all l ess busy and stressed-out. :)

This essay should be 2-3 full pages, double spaced, paginated, with normal margins and font (Times New Roman, size 12, is standard). Do give your essay a title. Although this essay will probably not require any reading beyond the primary texts, you should document all sources (including the primary texts) in accordance with MLA style. Keep in mind that I do not accept late papers, and plan accordingly.