Understanding Zora Neale Hurston S Their Eyes Were Watching God

Readings shed light on Hurston's novel. They demonstrate how African Americans fashioned themselves individually and collectively to combat racism, classism, and sexism, and present historical, political, and social commentary on the relationships between men and women as well as between blacks and whites. Included are interviews with people living at the time of Hurston's novel's publication, poetry, folk tales, and sermons.

Zora Neale Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God highlights the vitality of African American culture. This casebook demonstrates how African Americans fashioned themselves individually and collectively to combat racism, classism, and sexism. With provocative documents that contextualize the complex issues of the novel, Lester provides an excellent resource for students and teachers first approaching the excitement and cultural flavor that define Hurston's novels. The casebook is an encyclopedia of African American folk culture that simultaneously presents historical, political, and social commentary on the relationships between men and women and between blacks and whites in America. Documents include interviews with people living in the South at the time of the novel's publication, poetry, rap, folktales, and sermons. Also included are original materials on ebonics, minstrel songs, the blues tradition, the novel in theatrical and dance performance, and materials on Hurston's hometown of Eatonville, Florida.

The rediscovery of Zora Neale Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God, first published in 1937 but subsequently out-of-print for decades, marks one of the most dramatic chapters in African-American literature and Women's Studies. Its popularity owes much to the lyricism of the prose, the pitch-perfect rendition of black vernacular English, and the memorable characters--most notably, Janie Crawford. Collecting the most widely cited and influential essays published on Hurston's classic novel over the last quarter century, this Casebook presents contesting viewpoints by Hazel Carby, Henry Louis Gates, Jr., Barbara Johnson, Carla Kaplan, Daphne Lamothe, Mary Helen Washington, and Sherley Anne Williams. The volume also includes a statement Hurston submitted to a reference book on twentieth-century authors in 1942. As it records the major debates the novel has sparked on issues of language and identity, feminism and racial politics, A Casebook charts new directions for future critics and affirms the classic status of the novel.

Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston: Immerse yourself in the compelling narrative of "Their Eyes Were Watching God" by Zora Neale Hurston. This classic novel explores the journey of its protagonist, Janie Crawford, in search of identity, love, and self-discovery. Key Aspects of the Book "Their Eyes Were Watching God": Identity and Empowerment: Hurston's novel delves into the themes of self-discovery and empowerment as Janie Crawford navigates her own path in a changing world. Cultural Exploration: The book offers a rich exploration of African American culture, folklore, and community in the early 20th century. Narrative Voice: "Their Eyes Were Watching God" is celebrated for its distinctive narrative voice and storytelling style. Zora Neale Hurston was a prominent author, anthropologist, and key figure of the Harlem Renaissance. Her novel remains a literary treasure in the exploration of African American experiences.

An analysis of the literary values of Hurston's novel, as well as its reception--from largely dismissive reviews in 1937, through a revival of interest in the 1960s and its recent establishment as a major American novel.

Discusses the writing of Their eyes were watching God by Zora Neale Hurston. Includes critical essays on the work and a brief biography of the author.