Double Consciousness and the Stranger Essay examples

Words: 1543
Pages: 7
Open Document
Throughout history, Georg Simmel and W.E.B. Du Bois have had a significant influence on important theories and ideas developed in the Social Sciences. Perhaps two of the most relevant and well-known concepts developed by both of these theorists are the concepts of “double consciousness” and “the stranger”. In this paper I will be analyzing both of these pieces of work to draw upon differences and similarities between the two. The similarities I will be elaborating on are the usage of the paradoxical figure, which both Simmel and Du Bois discuss in their theories, and the coexisting feeling of division from mainstream society. The difference between the two theories that I will be exploring is the perception that mainstream society has of …show more content…
The stranger comes into contact with members of groups defined by connection through locality and trade, but remains outside any particular group. In some ways, Du Bois’ conceptualization of double consciousness and Simmel’s theorization of “the stranger” parallel each other. Firstly, both of these concepts were social-psychological in nature, meaning they addressed issues dealing with the behaviour of groups and the influence of social factors on individuals. Secondly, they both use a paradoxical figure in their analyses, which experience a conflicting sense of remoteness yet nearness both at the same time; the seventh son and the stranger. They both emphasized the sense of otherness that prevents these paradoxical figures from finding a sense of self. The stranger experiences a “peculiar tension” caused by the inorganic attachment to the group, yet the involvement the stranger has in the society allows them to feel as though they truly belong. Similarly, the seventh son experiences a sense of belongingness, given that they reside in a locality, but a feeling of separation due to the fact that they are not fully seen as member of a group. When thinking about these points, two questions arise: can African Americans really be considered Americans if they are never guaranteed all of the rights that white Americans are? In regards to the stranger: can the individual really
Show More

Related Documents: Double Consciousness and the Stranger Essay examples

Simmel Vs Dubois Research Paper

Simmel and DuBois Georg Simmel and W.E.B DuBois are both two instrumental sociologist. Simmel and DuBois come from very different backgrounds and countries; Simmel is from Germany, whereas DuBois is an African American man writing in the United States. However, they both touched on the issue of race, one more blatantly than the other. Though they were writing at different times their theories are still prevalent today. In today’s society the issue of race is still evident, let us take a look at some…

Words 1212 - Pages 5

Souls Of A Black Folk Veil Essay

able to call two identities their own. In W.E.B. DuBois’s essay, Souls of a Black Folk, the reader learn about a veil and a double consciousness that is a part of African American identity and how it controls them in society. By having these concepts applied to their life, it can confuse and complicate their ideas of who they are in more ways than one. The double consciousness and the veil are applied in the story Passing by Nella Larsen when two mixed women, Irene and Clare, are exploring both sides…

Words 1851 - Pages 8

Comparing Octavia Butler's Get Out And Kindred

W.E.B Du Bois an African American writer introduced the idea of double consciousness explaining it as a “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” (Du Bois, 5). Du Bois expressed that being American and Black were…

Words 1876 - Pages 8

Case Study: Vista Apartment

important to note the specific location of this apartment had been marked as a hotspot for high criminal activities. Tenant access into the building was through the common entryway located on the first floor of the building through a front door that was double secured by a deadbolt and standard lock. Tenants used the same key to open both the standard and deadbolt…

Words 1082 - Pages 5

Sociology study Essay

three Georg Simmel: the “one man wolf pack” -Interested in studying small group dynamics “What happens when you add a person to a group?” (third wheel) -Simmel was the first person to formally define 1) Small and large groups 2) A party 3) A stranger (Chapter 4 Massey) 4) The poor -Major influence in cultural and urban sociology Karl Marx: society is organized on the economy -The economic system (capitalism) drives the individual behavior; this is the most important social force -Marx saw…

Words 1583 - Pages 7

Who Am I ? Essay

Who am I? By Sache Priester Final Paper Sociological Theory Introduction Who am I? Hmm, sometimes I think I just don’t know. When I was a little kid, I wanted to be what I called “ambulance”. It wasn’t until I could really understand what that meant but I wanted to save lives. But of course, having the imagination I did, I later changed my mind – I want to be a Pediatrician. I had my high school career path down pack. I was going to go to George Mason then go to Medical…

Words 6572 - Pages 27

Is Sodium Oxybate A Solution For Narcolepsy?

psychological problems Sodium Oxybate (Xyrem) What is cataplexy? Cataplexy, the loss of skeletal muscle tone without loss of consciousness, is one of the defining symptoms of a puzzling neurological disorder called narcolepsy. The cataplectic attacks of narcolepsy are frequently prompted by laughter; other times, embarrassment, social interactions with strangers, sudden anger, athletic exertion or sexual intercourse may trigger an episode.[4] Sodium oxybate (Xyrem). Sodium oxybate (Xyrem),…

Words 1906 - Pages 8

Outline the Ideological Concerns of the "Force of the Past" Essay examples

incident, the night he agrees to take a ride home in an unlicensed taxi whose driver is wearing a short sleeved shirt under his jacket and then later appears to have a gun tucked under his belt. That night Gianni Orzan’s perfect life lets in a complete stranger that appears to know his name and that his eight year old son just learned to ride a bicycle. Gianni manages to escape leaving his bag in the boot of the car. This is only the beginning and the main character is not aware of the news which he…

Words 3621 - Pages 15

Essay on Psychology and Advanced Placement Course

BRADEN RIVER HIGH SCHOOL 6545 State Road 70 East Bradenton, FL 34203 (941)751-8230 Fax (941) 751-8250 Course Syllabus A.P. PSYCHOLOGY 2014-2015 Heather E Scott Course: A.P. Psychology Room: 738 Phone: 751-8230 ext 2165 Email: scotth@manateeschools.net Website:…

Words 3746 - Pages 15

Psych 310 Notes Essay

sense * Psychology’s 6 main perspectives PG 16 SCIENTISTS 1. biological perspective- physical causes for mental disorders 2. modern cognitive perspective- mental processes * >Who used introspection? introspection- notion of elements of consciousness; subjective * >Wundt’s observations: methods of science can be used to study the mind, as well as the body. Wanted to find a periodic table for the mind * >functionalism: historical school that believed mental processes could best be understood…

Words 5474 - Pages 22