Zora Neale Hurston

Definition

Zora Neale Hurston was an influential African American author and anthropologist, best known for her contributions to literature during the Harlem Renaissance. Her work celebrated the culture and experiences of African Americans, particularly those in the rural South, and she is recognized for her unique narrative style that incorporated dialect and folklore.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Zora Neale Hurston was born on January 7, 1891, in Notasulga, Alabama, but grew up in Eatonville, Florida, one of the first all-Black towns in the United States.
2. She studied anthropology at Barnard College under Franz Boas and used her academic background to gather stories and folklore from African American communities.
3. Hurston's work was often overlooked during her lifetime, but she gained recognition posthumously as a key figure of the Harlem Renaissance.
4. Her use of dialect in writing was groundbreaking, allowing her characters to speak authentically and providing a rich depiction of Southern Black culture.
5. Zora Neale Hurston passed away on January 28, 1960, in relative obscurity but has since become celebrated as one of the most significant literary figures in American history.

Review Questions

• How did Zora Neale Hurston's upbringing influence her literary work during the Harlem Renaissance?
  • Zora Neale Hurston's upbringing in Eatonville, Florida, an all-Black town, significantly influenced her literary work by providing a rich cultural backdrop that she celebrated in her writing. Her experiences growing up surrounded by a vibrant community of African Americans allowed her to authentically capture their voices and stories. This cultural foundation is evident in her most famous novel 'Their Eyes Were Watching God,' where she intricately portrays the lives and struggles of Black individuals in the South.
• Analyze the significance of dialect in Zora Neale Hurston's writing and its impact on the portrayal of African American culture.
  • Dialect plays a crucial role in Zora Neale Hurston's writing as it brings authenticity to her characters and vividly captures the nuances of African American speech. By incorporating dialect into her narratives, she not only reflects the reality of her characters' lives but also challenges prevailing stereotypes about Black culture. This approach allows readers to connect more deeply with the characters' experiences and highlights the richness of Southern Black life during the Harlem Renaissance.
• Evaluate how Zora Neale Hurston's contributions to literature reflect the broader themes of identity and self-discovery present in the Harlem Renaissance.
  • Zora Neale Hurston's contributions to literature encapsulate essential themes of identity and self-discovery that were prevalent during the Harlem Renaissance. Through her protagonist Janie Crawford in 'Their Eyes Were Watching God,' Hurston explores the complexities of a Black woman's search for her own voice amid societal expectations. This focus on personal agency and cultural heritage not only aligns with other works from the Renaissance that sought to redefine Black identity but also emphasizes the importance of individual narratives within the collective experience of African Americans during this transformative period.

Related terms

Their Eyes Were Watching God: A novel by Zora Neale Hurston, published in 1937, that tells the story of Janie Crawford's journey toward self-discovery and empowerment through her relationships and experiences.

Anthropology: The study of human societies, cultures, and their development, which Hurston applied to her work by conducting field studies on African American folklore and traditions.

Harlem Renaissance: A cultural, social, and artistic explosion that took place in Harlem, New York, during the 1920s, where African American artists, writers, and musicians flourished and sought to redefine Black identity.