Art And Propaganda:W.E.B.Du Bois’s Literary "Double Consciousness"

As an attacker of injustice, a defender of freedom and a tireless explorer of social truths, William Edward Burghardt Du Bois played an important role in the fields of sociology, history, politics, literature etc., in American as well as in the world in the twentieth century. Though he paid twice visits to China and was "an old friend of the Chinese people", most of his political thoughts and literary arts are still waiting to be explored and acknowledged by Chinese scholars.This research mainly studies the tension between art and propaganda in Du Bois’s literary works including his novels, historical pageant, poems as well as some seminal articles. With the analysis of relative historical data and Du Bois’s literary metaphors as well as his transition from a social scientist to a poetic propagandist, this research tries to have a deep understanding of what Du Bois has defined as the "double consciousness", the necessity of African American Literature and Du Bois’s contribution towards the development of African American literature.In the introductory chapter, this research will give a systematic literature review about the study of Du Bois both at home and abroad, especially the study of his literary works. Based on the study, this research will introduce the real significance of studying Du Bois as well as his contribution towards African American literature and culture.Firstly, this research will analyze the motive and process of Du Bois’s transition from a social scientist to a poetic propagandist, his discussion and exploration of the criteria of African American art and his practice of historical pageants. The tension between art and propaganda in African American literature is typically the reflection of "double consciousness" what Du Bois uses to define the identity of African Americans. This chapter will have a deep and comprehensive exploration of Du Bois’s reflection on African American art during the first thirty years of the twentieth century, which, will definitely lay down the keynote of the whole research.Secondly, this research will mainly focus on the narrative art and propaganda of Du Bois’s novels. For Du Bois, the novels are significant to practice and evaluate his understanding of African American art. Du Bois has published five novels, including "economic study", romance and historical novels. Whatever the type of literature is, Du Bois has made his creation unique in African American literature and united with his integral philosophy of social truths. The propaganda presented through novels is both complementary to and the sublimation of what he presented through other types of literature.Thirdly, this research will have an introduction of Ethiopianism and the influence it exerted on African Americans and African American literature. The faith and message of Ethiopianism is that Africa will finally rise. As an expert historian and an introspective African descent, Du Bois made Africa and its tradition carrier of his art imagination and social propaganda with his application of spirituals and African myth. Du Bois’s practice of African American literature enriched the tradition of Ethiopianism.Fourthly, the research will explore the image of black women which provides an important index to Du Bois’s general political and philosophical insights and to his personal convictions concerning black women’s place in life and art. The image of the black women is the epitome of African tradition for Du Bois and their power and character are definitely Du Bois’s understanding about African American culture.Finally, this research will discuss Marxism’s influence on Du Bois’s creation. On the other hand, Du Bois’s knowledge and exploration of race problem and class problem are complementary to Marxism. Under the influence of Marxism, Du Bois’s propaganda is much more radical and his imagination is enriched with the concern about socialist countries in Asia.