Zora Neale Hurston was an influential African American author and anthropologist, best known for her contributions to the Harlem Renaissance and her portrayal of African American culture in the early 20th century. Her work, particularly 'Their Eyes Were Watching God,' reflects the complexities of race, gender, and identity within the historical and social contexts of her time.
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Zora Neale Hurston was born on January 7, 1891, in Notasulga, Alabama, and later moved to Eatonville, Florida, which became a prominent setting in her works.
Her most famous novel, 'Their Eyes Were Watching God,' published in 1937, is celebrated for its strong female protagonist and exploration of love, independence, and self-discovery.
Hurston's work often drew from her background in anthropology, as she conducted fieldwork to collect oral histories and folklore from African American communities.
Despite facing criticism during her lifetime for her focus on the vernacular speech of African Americans and her portrayal of rural Southern life, she has since been recognized as a pivotal figure in American literature.
Hurston's legacy has been revived since the 1970s through feminist literary criticism and interest in the Harlem Renaissance, leading to a broader appreciation of her contributions to literature and culture.
Review Questions
How did Zora Neale Hurston's background influence her writing and contributions to literature?
Zora Neale Hurston's upbringing in Eatonville, Florida, a town predominantly inhabited by African Americans, greatly influenced her literary voice. Her experiences provided her with a unique perspective on the lives of black individuals in America. This background fueled her desire to celebrate African American culture through storytelling, as seen in her use of dialect and focus on community traditions in works like 'Their Eyes Were Watching God.'
Discuss how Zora Neale Hurston's work fits into the larger context of the Harlem Renaissance.
Zora Neale Hurston's work is integral to the Harlem Renaissance as it exemplifies the movement's celebration of African American culture and identity. Unlike many writers who focused on racial struggles, Hurston highlighted the richness of black life through folk traditions and individual stories. Her unique voice contributed to a diverse literary landscape that showcased both struggles and joys within African American experiences during this cultural awakening.
Evaluate the impact of Zora Neale Hurston's anthropological background on her literary work and how it reshaped perceptions of African American culture.
Zora Neale Hurston's anthropological training significantly shaped her literary work by providing her with tools to authentically capture the nuances of African American speech, traditions, and folklore. This approach allowed her to present a rich tapestry of black life that challenged prevailing stereotypes. By documenting oral histories and weaving them into her narratives, she reshaped perceptions of African American culture as complex and vibrant rather than solely defined by oppression or struggle. Her work has led to a broader understanding of the cultural contributions of African Americans in literature.
A cultural, social, and artistic explosion centered in Harlem, New York, during the 1920s, which celebrated African American culture and produced notable figures in literature, music, and art.
Anthropology: The study of human societies and cultures and their development, which was a significant aspect of Hurston's work as she sought to document and analyze African American folklore and traditions.
Folklore: The traditional beliefs, customs, and stories of a community, passed through generations, which Hurston actively collected and incorporated into her writing to highlight the richness of African American heritage.