zora bio

Zora Neale Hurston was a genius whose writing career went unnoticed while she was living. Hurston was an American folklorist, novelist and anthropologist. She wrote four novels , more than 50 published short stories, plays, and essays. During the time she was active, Hurston was taken for granted and her work was criticized over the top. Although she didn’t see it while she was alive, her works of writing became famous and international. After Hurston’s death, her career was not only recognized but influential to writers in present day. “Their Eyes Were Watching God” is one of Hurston’s most famous novels and has various editions to it. Her personal life in quite a few ways was reflected through the main character “Janie Crawford”, which makes the novel so much more intriguing. Hurston better known as “The Genius of the South” created a legacy that will never be erased.
In “Looking for Zora” by Alice Walker, the author is on a mission to find out information about Hurston. Alice walker and Charlotte Hunt meet in Florida and head to Eatonville, which is where Hurston was practically born and raised. As the women searched for anything pertaining to Zora, only one woman had ties to her. This elderly lady named Mosley told Walker, they went to school together and in junior high school were already being taught college subjects. Joe Clarke, who was the first mayor of Eatonville (also a character in Their Eyes Were Watching God” Joe Starks”) was Ms. Mosley’s uncle. Mosely enlightened the women as to why Zora wasn’t pro integration which was extremely controversial while Hurston was alive. She said the town had everything under control and integration was an insult to black teachers. Walker started seeing things through Hurston’s eye...

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...s marriage very quickly (about 7 months). After this she exclusively worked on writing there were no more marriages or boyfriends that are mentioned.
Hurston having her two marriages and being so independent is what makes character Janie Crawford from Their Eyes Were Watching God is an image of her. In the book, the character is never held down too long almost like she is a free spirit. She finds her identity through the 3 marriages she endures and all the hardships that come with them. As Janie becomes older she doesn’t age badly and is beautiful and vibrant. She was never ashamed of herself and had a slight arrogant attitude this is another reason she reflects Hurston. Lastly Janie never lives in sorrow just like Hurston. They are both optimistic on life and on being colored. Both Janie and Hurston know they are beautiful and smart and that’s all that matters.