The Writings of Zora Neale Hurston Examine the Relationships Between the Sexes

Zora Neale Hurston wrote the “Spunk” and published it in Harlem Renaissance journal in 1925. “Spunk” revolves around two main characters: Spunk Banks and Joe Kanty, who develop hatred between themselves due to a quarrel over a woman named Lena Kanty. Lena Kanty is Joe’s legitimate wife, later to be lured by Spunk Banks to abandon her legitimate husband. Spunk Banks successfully wins the love of Lena Kanty due to his heavy corporeal stature and military training. Spunk owns a .45 military hand gun, therefore, complicating attempts made by Kanty to fight for his wife. Kanty loses his life in the hands of Banks, when fighting for his wife and in the presence of his wife. Banks survives a court trial but a huge, black bob-cat in Joe’s ghost follows him afterwards in quest for vengeance for justice. Bank eventually finds his fate with a sawmill machine and succumbs to wounds sustained in this accident. Notably, both men die in the fight for a wife, where Kanty’s ghost kills Banks who previously takes the former’s life away (Hurston 105-111).

Overall, the short story displays a great way of using irony by Zora Neale Hurston. It may be how Missie May shows betrayal when she cheats on Joe or how her undying love and loyalty present the theme of marriage by making sure Joe’s needs are met. Joe shows representations of themes as he forgives Missie May when she thinks he don’t love her “no mo.” (212) Otis D. Slemmons, reminds the reader that appearances are not what they may seem.

   In an era where "knowledge is power," the emphasis on literacy in African American texts is undeniable. Beginning with the first African American literary works, the slave narratives, through the canon's more recent successes such as Toni Morrison's Song of Solomon and Sapphire's Push, the topic of literacy is almost inextricably connected to freedom and power. A closer investigation, however, leads the reader to another, less direct, message indicating that perhaps this belief in literacy as a pathway to the "American Dream" of freedom and social and financial success is contradictory or, at least, insufficient in

Nanny also enlightens Janie to the unpleasant realities of married life for black women-- the domestic and sexual violence, part of their lives that Hurston depicts honestly in her writing. Yet the humor that she employs to depict these painful situations truly does allow the protagonist here, as well as in the short stories and autobiographical writings, to go on fighting -- strong and alive.

Try to think from a different perspective, try to imagine a life other than one’s own, try to achieve the impossible. The process of understanding life from a different perspective provides one of the greatest challenges; however, if one can accomplish the feat one is equipped with empathy, compassion, and an integrity that will carry them towards a successful life. Therefore, becoming a connoisseur of literature that forces the broadening of one’s horizons is an imperative step to appreciating and exploring one’s situation. Three works of writing that deeply delve into the lives of African Americans during the period approaching and succeeding the Civil Rights Movement are A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest J. Gaines, Devil in a Blue Dress by

I have made mistakes along the way, but I remained true to my vision.” (Joseph, 279) African-American literature displays the struggle of identity for African-American people and why identity is important. The journey of identity is harder for African-American people because of the obstacles that are put in front of them by people in power. So the journey to self-discovery is that much more important in African American literature. An example of this is in Their Eyes WEre Watching God when Jamie finally finds peace with herself.

Zora Neale Hurston, while living in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, was researching voodoo on the most scholarly level. She was studying with Haiti’s most well known hougans and mambos, or priests and priestesses. At this time she was gathering knowledge about voodoo so she could write the text, Tell My Horse. Also, at this same time Hurston had finished writing, Their Eyes Were Watching God in only seven short weeks. A close reading of this novel provides the reader with a relationship between voodoo and the text. Hurston not only explores female spirituality and sexuality in, Their Eyes Were Watching God, but weaves the two together revealing that voodoo culture plays an important role within the novel especially in the comparisons between the

In the Black press, writers and editors could support abolitionism and construct arguments supporting their humanity and equality on a platform designated for their people. Since the beginning of the slave trade individuals of African descent have used their literary gifts in print to convey the injustices of racial oppression. From narratives to poems and novels, African Americans have had their work circulated worldwide. Black literature had provided consistent and enduring outlets for African-American authors for more than 200 years. The Black Press has been a major key behind the driving force in conveying the hopes, frustrations, culture, and political strategies for African-Americans. Before and after slavery, African-Americans used the

In Janie’s first marriage, Logan attempts to force her to be more like his first wife, who would “grab dat axe and sling chips lak a man” (Hurston, 26). He believes that he has been spoiling her because she spends all day in the house doing the housework and cooking. He takes Janie’s agency away from her by forcing her to do a “man’s” work against her will. Her Nanny raised her with very traditional gender roles, and to break these so suddenly and in this specific manner is very disconcerting for her at this moment. In this part of the novel, she empowers herself through the gender roles that are being used to oppress her: the paradoxical nature of this is an undertone through the rest of the novel also.

According to Hurston, men are more practical than women; they know that their dreams are unattainable, as illustrated by the distant ships that rarely come onto shore. When they realize that their dreams are unrealistic, men become resigned to their fate and live on. On the other hand, women close that metaphorical distance by failing to distinguish between dream and reality. Their dreams are their reality and thus they live far more idealistic

In this course, Nature Writing at metropolitan University, we had a variety of different races, but the Black race didn’t get the representation they deserved. There was a writing titled, “from a black boy” by Wright, and it wasn’t a good representation of Black writers in America. I remember reading it and questioning what I just read; because it didn’t have any emotion or deeper meaning like most the other readings we studied. In

African American Literature has been around for many centuries. The authors of these literary pieces are usually written by African Americans that live through or experienced the hardships blacks had to encounter during that time period. African Americans believed that one of the ways to be heard by the people was through poetry. In Nikki-Rosa and Two Poems, we are able to see a glimpse of how blacks were viewed by the whites. Also, how whites did not value African Americans as human beings. Through Nikki Giovanni and Haki R. Madhubuti poems, we can understand what the literature meant, what it meant to be an African American in those times, what we are not taught in a normal classroom, and what this meant for empowerment.

A distinctive feature in post-1865 American literature is the recurrent motif of suppression among minority groups in the United States. The literature provided in the Heath Anthology reflects minority citizens like African Americans, Hispanics, and women. American literature during the 20th century serves as a critical lens to examine the social injustices faced by minority groups. Minority artists use literature to examine and redefine their pre-determined role in society.

Many writers on the African-American diaspora have attempted to capture the black experience in America, although some to no avail. Most Black authors like Zora Neal Hurston, Martin Delaney, and countless others have succeeded in painting the most accurate image of black people with the characters in their stories. Nevertheless, some authors fail in their portrayal of black people by using recycled economic stereotypes, highly metonymic based characters, and Fetishization. Questions often arise regarding whether or not these authors have taken a serious look into the African experience in America or simply expressing, subtly, racist views. Mark Twain is the author of two very important, however controversial, stories

The most effective form of language is the written word. It transcends over time. A poet, or an author, takes his or her views on current social issues and transforms them into words for the public to see. When written well, these words will stand the test of time and be passed on for future generations to see. As a writer, one of their major jobs is a social critic. This allows for the reader to take the author’s views into consideration and form their own opinion on the matter at hand. Two of the authors in the assigned readings that are viewed as social critics include: Mark Twain and Langston Hughes. These authors create works that force the reader to confront social issues that alter the lifestyle in which humans live. One of the major social issues that Americans face is slavery and other’s view on race. After the Civil War, Americans began changing their perspective of slavery. Even in today’s time, Americans war with racism. Many of the author’s that have been assigned recently for weekly readings are African American and express their feelings on slavery. Not only does this allow the reader insight into the mind of the author, but it also helps the reader to grasp the underlying issues that many want to keep buried.