Post World War One, many countries experienced a time of peace as well as an increase in political movements, creating the perfect environment to foster radical social change. Perhaps the country to have the most radical social change was the United States, with its many cultural and political movements. Perhaps one of the most recognizable movements to occur was feminism, which was reignited by the nineteenth amendment. Many women became active in politics and the arts, as shown in Zora Neale Hurston’s novel Their Eyes Were Watching God. Heralded as one of the greatest products to come out of the Harlem Renaissance, the novel is a conglomeration of various themes written in Hurston’s emotional turmoil. When dissecting the rhetoric of the novel, …show more content…
Throughout the novel, the theme of individuality is ever present as a direct byproduct of the mental state in which Zora Neale Hurston wrote it. Before the novel was even a thought, Hurston was studying at Columbia University. While she was attending university, Hurston found a man with whom she “‘did not just fall in love. [She] made a parachute jump’” (Ramsey page 37). Despite starting so perfect, it became apparent that the relationship could not weather the test of time. She escaped her relational woes by joining a research fellowship destined for the Caribbean. In the Caribbean she would come to write Their Eyes Were Watching God in a rapid seven weeks with little time to polish the work. It is apparent that the events of Their Eyes Were Watching God were heavily inspired by the recent events of Hurston’s life. Many parallels can be drawn between her own relationship and Janie’s relationship with Jody Starks. After Jody died, Janie was able to reflect and “[find] a jewel down inside herself” (Hurston page 90) before embarking on an exodus to the muck with Tea
Throughout Zora Neale Hurston’s, Their Eyes Were Watching God, Janie’s pursuit of true love remains crucial in her life. A summer-time fantasy, a pear blossom and a bee, imprint within her mind a vision beyond the futility of riches and reality. This natural beauty becomes her lifelong quest – to find within her life true love. Two men leave her fruitless, having not given to her that which is her heart’s pursuit. However, one man, poor and unknown, actually bestows upon her the beauty that remained
Zora Neale Hurston and Racial Equality On September eighteenth, nineteen thirty-seven, Their Eyes Were Watching God, one of the greatest novels of this century, was published. It was met with mixed reviews. The major (white) periodicals found it enjoyable and simple, while black literary circles said it "carries no theme, no message" (Wright,1937). These evaluations are not mutually exclusive, but rather demonstrate the conception of Hurston's work as telling whites what they want to hear and
Oprah Winfrey’s interpretation of the novel Their Eyes Were Watching God caused a figurative case of the rabies through her Hollywood production. Oprah’s lack of knowledge towards the classic caused her to form a false fairytale romance, along with scarcity of symbolism, and changes in characters and relationships. On top of all of her adjustments, Oprah also made the choice to change the title. Their Eyes Were Watching God went from a reality-depicting novel, to becoming a glistering mockery of
Zora Neale Hurston was a remarkable woman and writer of the early 20th century. Her works were thought provoking and radical for a woman of color in the early 20th century. Her works evoked a sense of control for women of color. Hurston’s work did not go without ridicule; some of the ridicule came from her fellow African-American counterparts, such as Alain Locke and Richard Wright. These two ridiculed the novel, Their Eyes Were Watching God, and her place in the literary canon. Over the course of
in the Writing of Zora Neale Hurston Sharpening Her Oyster Knife: I am not tragically colored. There is no great sorrow dammed up in my soul, nor lurking behind my eyes. I do not mind at all. I do not belong to the sobbing school of Negrohood who hold that nature somehow has given them a lowdown dirty deal and whose feelings are all hurt about it....No, I do not weep at the world -- I am too busy sharpening my oyster knife. ___Zora Neale Hurston Zora Neale Hurston kept busy sharpening
since 1923. One of the most important works of twentieth-century American literature, Zora Neale Hurston's beloved classic, Their Eyes Were Watching God, is an enduring Southern love story sparkling with wit, beauty, and heartfelt wisdom. Zora Neale Hurston was born on January 7, 1891, in Notasulga, Alabama, to John Hurston, a carpenter and Baptist preacher, and Lucy Potts Hurston a former schoolteacher. Hurston was the fifth of eight children. While she was still a toddler her family moved to Eatonville
Postmodern Tendancy in Their Eyes Were Watching God ...Zora Neale Hurston lacks [any] excuse. The sensory sweep of her novel carries no theme, no message, no thought. In the main, her novel is not addressed to the Negro, but to a white audience whose chauvinistic tastes she knows how to satisfy. She exploits the phase of Negro life which is "quaint," the phase which evokes a piteous smile on the lips of the "superior" race. -- from "Their Eyes Were Watching God (1937)," a review by
Zora Neale Hurston and Maya Angelou are arguably the most influential writers of the mid 20th century . Their work has inspired young African Americans to have more confidence in their own abilities. Their work has also been studied and taught countless times in many schools across the U.S. But the main reason why their work is considered classics in American literature; is because their work stands as testament to the treatment, and struggles of African Americans in the mid 20th century America
Zora Neale Hurston Zora Neale Hurston was a novelist, folklorist, and anthropologist. Zora plays an important role for the Harlem Renaissance. Zora Neale Hurston is considered one of the titans of twentieth-century African American literature. Despite that she would later fall into disgrace because of her firm views of civil rights, her lyrical writing which praise southern black culture has influenced generations of black American literary figures. Hurston’s work also had an impact on later black
writer, Zora Neale Hurston in a letter to Countee Cullen. By these words, she claims to have the right to live her life in fullest potential and be true to herself and beliefs. Hurston is a notorious writer, novelist and playwright who is known for her four novels, 50 short stories, plays and essays (Zora Neale Hurston). Author Hurston also plays an important role for the Harlem Renaissance. She is considered a significant individual of twentieth-century African American literature. Hurston derived
Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston, is a book that demonstrates the journey of a woman that stepped out of the box in community that was so sexist. The book explores the life of a young southern Black girl in the 1930s searching and attempting to understand her wants and her needs.Janie Mae Crawford, the protagonist, brings the reader through the journey of love, tradition, and judgment. Janie gives the reader the inside scope of her life. She was born a mixed baby, her mother left
Anthropology and Zora Neale Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God and Jonah's Gourd Vine Zora Neale Hurston described the study of anthropology as a spy-glass, an illuminating lens (1). Anthropology is defined as the scientific study of the origin, the behavior, and the physical, social, and cultural development of humans (2). Through this study and with the aid of an essay defining human nature written by Cardinal Jean Daniello, we can take a closer look at the behavior of the characters in
Zora Neale Hurston is a trailblazer. Back then people ridiculed her, but she felt the pride and dignity within herself. She was seen as an African-American grandmother in many images of black women writers (Showalter 221). Her talent for African-American literature excited the new readers who were constantly reading her literary works (“Hurston,” Feminist). Occasionally, both black and white supporters reviewed her books (McKay). She demonstrates a larger pattern of white American culture to be substantially
Finding Hope in Their Eyes Were Watching God Their Eyes Were Watching God recognizes that there are problems to the human condition, such as the need to possess, the fear of the unknown and resulting stagnation. But Hurston does not leave us with the hopelessness of Fitzgerald or Hemingway, rather, she extends a recognition and understanding of humanity's need to escape emptiness. "Dem meatskins is got tuh rattle tuh make out they's alive (183)" Her solution is simple: "Yuh got tuh go there
The Harlem Renaissance was all about freedom of expression and the search for one's identity. Zora Neale Hurston’s, Their Eyes Were Watching God, shows these goals through the main character Janie and her neighbors. Janie freely expressed what she wanted and searched for her identity with her different husbands. Even though Janie was criticized by everyone except her friends, she continued to pursue. She lost everything, but ultimately found her identity. Hurston's writing is both a reflection and