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What Exactly Did Zora Do?
Zora Neale Hurston was an American author, anthropologist, and filmmaker known for her contributions to African-American literature. She was a central figure of the Harlem Renaissance, but what exactly did she do?
As an anthropologist, Zora studied African-American folklore and hoodoo in the American South. She traveled throughout the South, particularly in Florida, collecting stories, music, and cultural artifacts. Her research culminated in her book “Mules and Men” in 1935.
Zora was also a talented fiction writer. Her most well-known novel is “Their Eyes Were Watching God,” published in 1937. It’s a story of Janie Crawford, a middle-aged black woman living in Central and Southern Florida in the early 20th century. The novel explores themes of gender and racial oppression within the black community. It received widespread critical acclaim and has become a staple of high school reading lists.
In addition to her books, Zora worked on film projects, including “The Fire Everlasting” in 1937. She also wrote for magazines, including “The Saturday Evening Post,” “Esquire,” and “American Mercury.”
Zora was a pioneer who helped establish African-American literature as a legitimate genre. She celebrated black culture and identity at a time when much of society ignored it. Though her life was cut tragically short at the young age of 59, Zora left behind an enduring legacy as an author, anthropologist, and champion of racial empowerment. Her memory lives on in the communities she gave voice to.
Zora’s Early Life and Education
Zora was born in Ohio in 1891. Her early life was marked by hardship – her family struggled financially, and she lost her mother at a young age. However, Zora’s childhood was also filled with stories. Her grandmother would share African folktales and her mother would tell Zora stories she made up herself. This early exposure to storytelling ignited Zora’s imagination and passion for language.
Zora received her early education in Eatonville, Florida, one of the first all-Black towns in the U.S. After graduating high school, she worked as a maid, saving up money to attend Howard University. At Howard, Zora studied English and developed an interest in anthropology. She began collecting Black folktales and publishing short stories, determined to capture the voices and experiences of African Americans in her writing.
In the mid-1920s, Zora won a scholarship to study anthropology at Barnard College. She conducted ethnographic research in the Southern U.S. and the Caribbean, recording folktales, songs, and customs. Zora aimed to legitimize Black culture and vernacular in a time when African traditions were often disregarded. Her first book, “Mules and Men,” was published in 1935, establishing her as a pioneering folklorist and raising awareness of African diasporic traditions.
Zora went on to have a prolific writing career, though she faced racism and financial difficulties throughout her life. Still, she persisted in documenting and celebrating Black culture in America. Through her many books, essays and research, Zora helped establish African American folklore as a serious area of study and ensured that the voices of the past would live on for generations. Her memory and spirit endure as an inspiration to all who value storytelling, cultural heritage and the power of words.
Zora’s Career as a Folklorist
Early Career as a Folklorist
After graduating with a master’s in linguistics in 1935, Zora launched her career as a folklorist, traveling throughout Florida to research and record African-American folklore and oral histories. For two years, she traveled in her old car, staying in small towns and collecting stories, songs, and tales from the communities she visited. She recorded everything on an old typewriter and her trusty tape recorder.
Zora published her first collection of folktales, Mules and Men, in 1935. The book was a huge success and established Zora as a prominent folklorist. She received a Guggenheim Fellowship to continue her research, making her the first African American to earn their prestigious grant. Zora spent the next four years traveling through Florida, Georgia, and the Bahamas, compiling material for her next books.
Work with the WPA Federal Writers’ Project
In 1938, Zora began working for the Works Progress Administration’s Federal Writers’ Project. She led a team of folklorists and writers in documenting the cultural histories of African-American communities in Florida. They collected over 2,000 stories, interviews, and transcripts. Though much of this work was unpublished during her lifetime, it has proved an invaluable resource for scholars and historians.
Later Career and Legacy
Zora continued working as a folklorist for the rest of her life. She published several more books of folklore, including Tell My Horse in 1938 and Moses, Man of the Mountain in 1939. Though her work was often overlooked during her lifetime, Zora is now recognized as a pioneer in African-American folklore and anthropology. Her prolific collections of folktales, songs, and oral histories have left an indelible record of African-American cultural traditions in the early 20th century. Through her passionate and dedicated work, Zora helped legitimize folklore as a serious academic field of study. Her legacy lives on in the annual Zora Neale Hurston Festival of the Arts and Humanities, held each January in Eatonville, Florida.
Zora as an Anthropologist: Her Fieldwork in the American South and Caribbean
Zora Neale Hurston was a pioneer of anthropology and ethnography. In the 1930s, she conducted fieldwork studying folklore, Hoodoo, and the culture of African Americans in Florida and the Gulf Coast.
The Gulf Coast and New Orleans
In the late 1920s, Zora traveled to New Orleans to conduct ethnographic research on hoodoo and voodoo practices. She studied the rituals and beliefs at spiritual churches and with practitioners like Luke Turner. Her findings were published in her book “Mules and Men” in 1935, sharing details of folktales, songs, and beliefs of African Americans along the Gulf Coast.
Turpentine Camps of Central Florida
Zora spent time living and working alongside turpentine camp workers in Central Florida. Turpentine camps were remote communities where workers harvested sap from pine trees to produce turpentine, a fluid used in paints and solvents. The difficult living conditions and economic exploitation of the camps were exposed in Zora’s writing. Her time in the camps gave her insight into African American vernacular speech which she incorporated in her fiction.
The Bahamas
In the late 1930s, Zora conducted research in the Bahamas, studying the culture of the descendants of enslaved Africans. She investigated their music, folklore, and religious beliefs which had retained more elements of West African traditions due to the Bahamas’ remoteness. Her findings were published in “Tell My Horse” in 1938, covering obeah religious practices, folk cures, and mythology of Bahamians of African descent.
Zora’s groundbreaking anthropological work highlighted the richness of African American and African diasporic cultures in the South and Caribbean. Through her fieldwork, she helped establish African American folklore as a field of study and preserve cultural traditions that otherwise may have been lost. Zora gave a voice to communities that had long been marginalized and stereotyped, showcasing the depth, complexity, and beauty of their cultural heritage. Her work as an anthropologist was revolutionary and helped pave the way for future generations of black scholars and authors.
Zora’s Work as an Author: Novels, Stories, and Essays
As an author, Zora Neale Hurston produced four novels, more than 50 published short stories, and several books of folklore. Her most well-known works today are her novels, especially Their Eyes Were Watching God. However, during her lifetime, Hurston was best known for her anthropological works and as a pioneer of African-American folklore.
Novels
Hurston’s first novel, Jonah’s Gourd Vine, was published in 1934. It explores the troubled marriage of a African Methodist Episcopal minister and his young wife. Her second novel, Their Eyes Were Watching God, published in 1937, follows a woman’s journey toward independence and her search for identity. Considered Hurston’s masterwork, it has become a staple of high school reading lists and has inspired many black women writers.
Hurston’s other novels, Moses, Man of the Mountain and Seraph on the Suwanee, received mixed reviews and did not achieve the same success and acclaim. Seraph on the Suwanee in particular was criticized for its focus on poor white characters rather than the black experience.
Short Stories and Folklore
In addition to her novels, Hurston published more than 50 short stories, many inspired by her anthropological fieldwork collecting African-American folklore. Her collections Mules and Men and Every Tongue Got to Confess showcase African-American folktales from the Gulf states.
Hurston traveled extensively in the American South and Caribbean to record cultural traditions, folktales, music, and hoodoo rituals. Her anthropological works like Tell My Horse and Mules and Men provide invaluable insight into African cultural traditions that influenced African-American culture.
Though her literary works were largely forgotten for decades, Zora Neale Hurston’s huge contributions as an author, anthropologist, and champion of African-American culture have cemented her status as a pioneer. Her memorable novels, short stories, and folklore collections paint a vivid picture of the early 20th-century black experience in America.
Zora’s Later Life and Death
Zora Neale Hurston lived a long, eventful life before passing away in 1960 at the age of 69. Though she struggled at times to make a living from her writing, her legacy lives on through her influential works.
Later Writing Career
Zora continued writing essays, articles, and short stories in her later years, though she did not publish any more books. She worked at various jobs to earn a living, including as a librarian, teacher, and journalist. During World War II, she worked as a riveter, helping construct planes to aid the war effort.
Fall into Obscurity and Poverty
Sadly, Zora fell into obscurity and poverty later in life. Interest in her books waned, leaving her struggling financially. She sometimes lived in bus stations when she couldn’t afford rent. However, she never stopped writing and retained her signature wit and humor.
Death and Legacy
Zora passed away in 1960 from a stroke and was buried in an unmarked grave. But her memory was revived in the 1970s and ’80s thanks to the efforts of famous authors and scholars. Her books were reprinted, introducing new generations to her seminal works. She is now rightfully recognized as a pioneering figure of African-American literature and women’s literature.
Zora lived a life full of ups and downs, yet she pursued her passion for writing throughout it all. Though her light dimmed for a time, her enduring books have cemented her status as an influential author and champion for representation. Her memory lives on in the hearts of readers and in the halls of academia, reminding us all of the power of words and determination in overcoming adversity. Though gone too soon, Zora’s impact will continue for generations. Her life stands as an inspiration and testament to following one’s dreams against all odds.
Zora’s Legacy and Impact
Zora Neale Hurston was a pioneer for Black literature and culture. Though her life was cut short in 1960, her legacy lives on through her influential works and lasting impact.
Preserving Black Southern Culture
Hurston dedicated her life to capturing and celebrating African American culture, especially in the South. Her writings provide a glimpse into communities of Black Americans in Florida and give voice to their stories, language, and traditions. Through folklore collection and her fictional stories, Hurston preserved cultural elements that otherwise may have been lost. She brought wider awareness and appreciation for African American vernacular traditions that still influence culture today.
Inspiring Generations of Black Authors
As one of the first successful Black female authors, Hurston paved the way for others. Her unapologetic depiction of the Black experience in her writing inspired authors like Alice Walker, Toni Morrison, and Maya Angelou. Despite facing discrimination and obstacles due to her race and gender, Hurston persevered and found success as an author. Her determination and talent in the face of immense challenges serve as an inspiration, especially for Black women and authors.
Controversial and Complex Legacy
While Hurston is now admired as a pioneering author, her legacy is complex. During her life, her work received mixed reviews in the Black community. Her depictions of Black communities in the South and use of vernacular language were controversial. Her views on race relations and politics were also nuanced and often divergent from popular opinions of the time. However, her individualism and willingness to share hard truths are what make her writing so compelling. Though complex, Hurston’s legacy reminds us of the diversity of thought within the Black experience.
Though her life was often marked by struggle, Zora Neale Hurston’s impact on literature and culture lives on. Through her writing, she gave voice to African American communities, inspired generations of Black authors, and left behind a complex yet compelling legacy as a pioneer and individualist. Her memory serves as a reminder of how far Black art and culture have come—and how much they have yet to achieve.
What Would Zora’s Occupation Be Today?
If Zora Neale Hurston were alive today, she would likely have an occupation that allowed her to explore her creativity and share her voice. Given her passion for storytelling, love of culture, and advocacy for oppressed groups, here are a few possibilities:
Documentary Filmmaker
Zora was a keen observer of human behavior and cultural traditions. She would likely be drawn to crafting compelling documentaries highlighting important issues and giving a voice to marginalized groups. Her films would capture the richness of culture, community and daily life.
Podcaster
Zora had a gift for captivating audiences with her words and tales. She may have leveraged new media by starting a podcast. Her show could feature personal essays, folklore, and conversations with contemporary thought leaders. Zora would use her platform to promote inclusion, shed light on social justice issues, and celebrate diversity.
Social Activist
Zora advocated for racial equality and believed in empowering oppressed groups. If alive today, she would likely continue activism through organizing, public speaking, and community initiatives. She may work for a non-profit promoting voting rights, education equality or women’s rights. Zora would be on the front lines advocating for policy changes to counter discrimination and create a more just society.
College Professor
Given Zora’s passion for research, love of sharing knowledge, and experience as a professor at North Carolina College for Negroes, a career as a college professor seems fitting. She may teach subjects like African-American Studies, Anthropology, Folklore or Women’s Studies. Zora would inspire students with her enthusiasm, unconventional thinking, and first-hand experiences. Her teaching style would make learning an adventure.
Whatever path she chose, Zora Neale Hurston would use her prodigious talents to uplift others, celebrate culture, and advance important causes. Her infectious joy, humor and vision would continue impacting all who encountered her. Though gone too soon, her legacy lives on through her enduring words and the doors she opened for others.
FAQs: Answering Common Questions About Zora Neale Hurston’s Life and Work
Zora Neale Hurston lived a fascinating life as an author, anthropologist, and playwright during the Harlem Renaissance. Her work provides a glimpse into African American folklore and culture in the early 20th century American South. Let’s explore some of the most frequently asked questions about Hurston’s life and remarkable career.
What did Zora Neale Hurston study?
Hurston studied anthropology at Columbia University, earning her master’s degree in 1928. Her anthropological training and fieldwork had a significant influence on her writing. She traveled throughout the South, collecting folktales, music, and other examples of African American folk culture. Her novels, short stories, and plays incorporated the language, music, and cultural elements she documented.
- Anthropology: the study of human beings and societies
- Folklore: the traditional beliefs, customs, and stories of a community, passed through the generations by word of mouth
- Ethnography: the study and documentation of people and cultures
What was Zora Neale Hurston’s greatest work?
Hurston’s most well-known work is the novel Their Eyes Were Watching God, published in 1937. The novel follows the story of Janie Crawford, an African American woman in central Florida, on her journey to find her own voice and independence. The book is considered a seminal work of African American literature and women’s fiction. Other acclaimed works include:
- Mules and Men (1935), a collection of African American folktales
- Tell My Horse (1938), an account of Haitian Vodou practices
- Moses, Man of the Mountain (1939), a novel retelling the biblical story of Exodus
What ultimately happened to Zora Neale Hurston?
Sadly, Hurston struggled with poverty and health issues later in life. She worked at various jobs, including substitute teaching, to make ends meet. Hurston died in 1960 at the age of 69 and was buried in an unmarked grave. However, her literary work was rediscovered in the 1970s, and her importance to African American literature gained widespread recognition. In 1973, Alice Walker placed a marker on Hurston’s previously unmarked grave. Hurston’s life serves as an inspiration, demonstrating the power of perseverance and the importance of amplifying unheard voices.
Conclusion
So there you have it – Zora Neale Hurston was a true pioneer and talent. Though her life was cut short, her immense contributions as an author, anthropologist, and overall barrier-breaking black woman in 20th century America live on. While her books were not fully appreciated during her lifetime, the rediscovery of her works has allowed new generations to be inspired by her empowering messages about identity, community, and self-fulfillment. Though we may not know exactly what Zora would be up to today if she were still with us, based on her enduring spirit of independence and curiosity about the human experience, she would likely be continuing to push creative and intellectual boundaries as only she could. Her life serves as a reminder that each of us contains multitudes – embrace all that you are.
