Their Eyes Were Watching God mrslivaudais他们的眼睛望着上帝mrslivaudais.pptVIP

Their Eyes Were Watching God Zora Neale Hurston How does knowing the historical context of a literary work help us better understand the text? Essential Question Historical Context: the social conditions that influenced the creation of a literary work Historical Context From the 1930s through the 1950s, Zora Neale Hurston was on of the most prolific African-American female writers in America. She is known for her candid portrayal of the struggle and courage of African-Americans in the rural South. She was a unique artist, folklorist, and anthropologist who remains one of the most revered writers of all time. Zora Neale Hurston Born in Notasulga, Alabama, on Jan. 7, 1891 At the age of three, she moved to the town of Eatonville, Florida, the first all-black community to be incorporated to the United States. Attended Howard University Barnard College (studied Anthropology) Known for her research in American folklore as well as Haiti and the British Isles Achieved fame sparked controversy as a novelist, anthropologist, essayist, lecturer, theatrical producer TEWWG published during the Harlem Renaissance (1937). TEWWG is her most famous and widely-acclaimed novel. Incorporates black folk life Author Biography She suffered numerous setbacks throughout her life. Hurston died in a convalescent home, penniless, and nameless on January 28, 1960. She was buried in an unmarked grave until 1973, when writer Alice Walker discovered and inscribed her gravestone with “Zora Neale Hurston A Genius of the South 1901-1960 Novelist, Folklorist, Anthropologist.” Biography Continued “HR” - period from the end of WWI through the middle of the 1930s Depression Talented African-American writers produce a sizable body of literature (poetry, fiction, drama, and essay) “Two-ness” – divided awareness of one’s identity Common themes – alienation, marginality, the use of folk material, the use of the blues tradition, the problems of writing for an elite audience Racial consciousness; “back