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A 5 page essay that discusses the analogy that Du Bois uses in the Souls of Black Folk that alludes to the Greek myth of Jason and the Golden Fleece. The writer discusses how this analogy aids Du Bois in accomplishing his goals. Bibliography lists 3 sources.
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5 pages (~225 words per page)
File: D0_khmthblf.rtf
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Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
the quest for the Golden Fleece. At first glance, this choice may seem odd to the modern reader; however, a closer analysis of Du Bois text and the meaning of
mythology reveals that this was a very apt choice that fit with Du Bois contextual needs quite nicely. The Souls of Black Folk was first published in 1903, a
time when African Americans were actively persecuted, and pictured by white society, most often, as a burden on American society, rather than as fellow citizens. Part of Du Bois purpose
in writing was to change the perspective of white society, to make them see African Americans in a manner not tainted by racial prejudice, but based on facts. The section
of the book that draws an analogy between black cotton workers and the story of Jason and the Golden Fleece deals with the economics of cotton production. As the
following analysis demonstrates, by bringing in a mythological analogy, Du Bois elevates the status of black workers. The use of myth to color their role in the economic scheme of
things practically forces the reader to see these workers in a new light, which demonstrates the persuasive power of myth. Joseph Campbell, a foremost authority on myth and its function
in human society, agreed with Carl Jung that certain myths appear to represent archetypal forms that are common to all peoples. Campbell (1982) states that the first function of mythology
is to "reconcile waking consciousness" to the deep mysteries of the universe (p. 4). The archetype of the "quest" is common in mythology. The "hero" is given a quest, faces
great danger, and returns with something of value that benefits his society (Campbell, 1982). By drawing on the myth of Jason and the Golden Fleece, Du Bois immediately casts Southern
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