Chapter 2, "Mary Silvina's Great Barrington" Summary and Analysis

Du Bois is born in Great Barrington, Massachusetts a day after Washington's Birthday, February 23, 1868. He is of African and white background, and his light skin and European features possibly make his future success slightly easier in a post-Civil War America still torn by racism. Du Bois's Father, Alfred, is of Dutch, French and West African descent and was born in Haiti. Du Bois's mother is a free African American who grew up in the town of Great Barrington. Interesting photos of these people appear in the middle of the book. During his childhood Du Bois is known as Willie.

The author, David Levering Lewis, makes a great number of observations about Great Barrington because he says that later in life Du Bois will write proudly about his birthplace in several different...