At the very beginning, Du Bois describes Jim as "he stand[s] a moment on the steps of the bank, watching the human river that swirl[s] down Broadway" (1). In this statement, "human river " represents the rest of society, and the image of this swirling human river signifies the unified and constant movement of other people towards a communal end. ... By presenting Jim in relation to the "human river,"" Du Bois vividly suggests his alienation from the rest of society, as he is only an observer, not an actor, in the movement of others towards a yet unknown future. ... For example, Jim and Julia...

• Word Count: 2007
• Approx Pages: 8
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate