Zora Neale Hurston

Definition

Zora Neale Hurston was an influential African American author, anthropologist, and filmmaker best known for her contributions to literature during the Harlem Renaissance. Her work explored the African American experience in the South, particularly through the lens of folklore and cultural identity, which paralleled the jazz movement that celebrated African American creativity and expression in music and arts during the Jazz Age.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Zora Neale Hurston was born on January 7, 1891, in Notasulga, Alabama, and she became one of the most prominent figures of the Harlem Renaissance.
2. She studied anthropology at Barnard College under Franz Boas, where she learned to appreciate the importance of folklore and oral history.
3. Hurston's writing often incorporated elements of jazz rhythm and dialect, reflecting the musical culture of her time and connecting literature with the jazz movement.
4. Her work faced criticism during her lifetime for its portrayal of black life and culture, yet it has since been recognized for its authenticity and depth.
5. Zora Neale Hurston passed away on January 28, 1960, largely unrecognized, but she was rediscovered in the 1970s and is now celebrated as a key figure in American literature.

Review Questions

• How did Zora Neale Hurston's work reflect the cultural changes occurring during the Jazz Age?
  • Zora Neale Hurston's work mirrored the cultural shifts of the Jazz Age by celebrating African American identity and experience through rich storytelling and folklore. Her emphasis on oral traditions allowed for a deeper understanding of black culture during a time when jazz music was flourishing. The rhythm and style found in her writing often echoed the improvisational nature of jazz, making her literary contributions a vital part of this vibrant cultural landscape.
• Discuss the significance of Hurston's anthropological background in shaping her literary works.
  • Hurston's background in anthropology greatly influenced her literary creations by providing her with tools to collect and analyze folk stories from African American communities. This academic experience allowed her to weave authentic dialects and cultural practices into her narratives. As a result, her works not only served as entertainment but also preserved important aspects of African American heritage during a time when such voices were often marginalized.
• Evaluate how Hurston's portrayal of African American life challenges stereotypes commonly held during the Jazz Age.
  • Hurston's portrayal of African American life challenged prevailing stereotypes by presenting her characters with depth, complexity, and agency. Instead of conforming to reductive images often seen in popular media, she showcased individuals with rich inner lives navigating love, ambition, and community. This nuanced representation resonated deeply within the Jazz Age context, where African American artists sought to redefine their identities against a backdrop of societal constraints and racial prejudice.

Related terms

Harlem Renaissance:

A cultural movement in the 1920s that celebrated African American art, literature, and music, marking a time of significant creative output and cultural pride.

Folklore: The traditional beliefs, myths, tales, and practices of a culture, which Hurston famously collected and preserved in her works, emphasizing the richness of African American heritage.

Their Eyes Were Watching God: Hurston's most famous novel, published in 1937, which explores themes of love, independence, and self-discovery through the life of an African American woman in the early 20th century.