Chapter 5, "The Age of Miracles: At But Not of Harvard" Summary and Analysis

Du Bois writes to Harvard to inquire about attending graduate school there. Fortunately, the current President Charles W. Eliot has decided to admit qualified black men and immigrants into the school in an attempt to get rid of the reputation that Harvard simply hands out diplomas to rich white people. Du Bois is accepted.

Du Bois needs money to go to Harvard, and he can only raise $150 a year. The secretary of the college tells him to apply for a Price Greenleaf Stipend (gift of money) and to bring a high recommendation from Fisk in order to enter Harvard. Du Bois does these things, but is still short of funds and therefore takes a job waiting tables. Customers are so rude...