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about zora neale hurston
an american folklorist, as well as being a highly respected author, writer zora neale hurston was well known for being a well-established voice in her day. her creating a rich and varied body of work, she would go on to create a series of books that were very well received throughout her career. By producing a comprehensive and extensive body of work, she has definitely left a legacy that will be heard for many years to come.
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early years and personal life
Born January 7, 1891, author Zora Neale Hurston would go on to have a long and productive writing career throughout her life. She the sixth of eight children, she was born to a father who was a preacher and sharecropper, along with her mother who was a school teacher. She grew up in Notaulga in Alabama, she would take her life experiences and put them back into her work as a writer in the future.
She and her family would later move to Eatonville, Florida, which, in 1887, was one of the first cities to be proclaimed an “all-black city” as it would be incorporated into the United States. It was here that her father would become mayor of the city in 1897, and later become the minister of the largest church there in 1897. This would also influence much of her writing, shaping the way in which she would see the city. world throughout her career.
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studying at howard university he would graduate in 1920, where he took courses in greek, spanish and english, as well as speaking in public. it would be with this that he would continue to hone and refine many of his ideas over the next several years, as he co-founded the student newspaper there, ‘top of the hill’. her achieving many other academic accolades, she would be celebrated for her writing, building a name and reputation as a writer with a strong voice.
married jazz musician herbert sheen in 1927, later to become a doctor, and their marriage ended in 1931. establishing herself not only as a writer, she would also establish a school of dramatic arts that would be based on ‘pure black expression ‘. her seeking to advance herself and the world and those around her, she would become a prominent black writer, a legacy she continues to this day.
writing career
In the year of 1928, Zora Neale Hurston would publish her first essay entitled ‘how it feels to be colored with me’, in which she would recount her experiences growing up. Looking back on her time in Eatonville, she would come to exemplify the experiences of many black Americans, giving them a voice for years to come. later, in 1934, she would write her first full-length fiction novel titled ‘jonah’s gourd vine’, which would also expand on these important themes and ideas.
Traveling extensively throughout his life, he also came to incorporate a number of folkloric ideas into his work. examining the cultures of the caribbean along with the american south, he would take into account the many traditions and histories he found there. Immersing himself in the local cultures and customs, he would come to provide a first-hand account of everything he heard and saw during his time there.
Living a long and productive life, he lived until January 28, 1960, when he would finally pass away. leaving behind a vast and important legacy, he really made an impact with his work, one that is still admired to this day. With more and more discoveries of his work every day, he will continue to live in the American consciousness as an essential literary figure for many years to come.
jonah gourd vine
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Originally published in 1934, it would become a groundbreaking work for Zora Neale Hurston as an author of the time. Presented through the perennial Harper imprint, this would also exemplify much of Hurston’s career to follow. Taking on themes prevalent at the time, she would manage to capture a sense of the mood and what was really going on at the time, making it one of her most important novels of hers to date.
As this is her first book, it’s a definite must for any fan or student of the author who wants to learn more about her life’s work. the characters would also come to reflect her own experiences, as many would be amalgamations of people she met during her own life up to that point. Providing an extremely comprehensive view of the period and setting of the era, this is truly a complete snapshot of the era itself, giving a lot of insight into the period and setting.
A semi-autobiographical novel, it would trace the journey of a group of characters from Alabama to Eatonville, Florida, mirroring the life journey of Zora’s own parents. migrating there, the story looks at the issues of the time as it examines racial politics, identity, and ultimately escapism. Taking a look at womanizing preacher John Pearson, he takes the title of the biblical passage about Jonah to reflect what’s going on with him. what will they find in this new land? can they make a new life for themselves? where is jonah’s pumpkin?
seraph in the suwanee
First published through ‘Harpperen’, this would be the last novel published by Zora Neale Hurston during her lifetime. Observing white life for the first time, she digs into his perspective of American Southern society at the time. Bringing Florida to life, it was first published in 1948, marking the end of a brilliant and illuminating literary career.
One of Zora’s only novels about white characters, this title explores their lives living in Florida, while attempting to paint a portrait of the South at that time. Following Arvay Henson’s young woman, he sees her as the main character trying to make sense of this world. With a host of suitors trying to woo her, she must make her own decisions and find what she wants from marriage. Will she be able to settle herself? Will she be able to find the right man? what will become of seraph in suwanee?
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