Zora Neale Hurston

6 Pages 1621 Words

Zora Neale Hurston was born to John and Lucy Hurston. Her birthplace was Eatonville, FL. Zora came in the world on January 7, 1891, but she always claimed to have been born ten years later. As one of eight children, she felt disliked by her father. At the age of nine, Zora’s mother passed. She left home to live with one of her brother’s family, but soon also left there. (Their Eyes) Zora got her writing start at Howard Prep School in Washington, D.C. (Their Eyes 211) In 1920, Zora received her associate degree from Howard University. By 1921, Zora published her first short story, John Redding at the Sea. (Their Eyes 211) In 1924, she put out her first folk piece, Drenched in Light. A few years later, Hurston hooked up with fellow Renaissance writer, Langston Hughes. They collaborated on the magazine, Fire (1926), and in 1930 they co-wrote and produced Mule Bone, a play. (Their Eyes 212)
Though many other great works would follow, Zora often failed at one thing. She was married several times and no children were born to these unions. When she was not writing or producing, she worked doing odd jobs. Once, she was a waitress in a black owned barbershop that only serviced whites. Then, she served as a librarian at Patrick Air Force Base. Another time, she was a substitute teacher at Lincoln Park Academy. Sadly, after all of her accomplishments and accolades, Zora died penniless and alone. She was buried in an unmarked grave. In the mid 1970’s, Alice Walker went “In Search
of Zora Neale Hurston” and marked the folklorist grave. (Their Eyes 219)

Plot Summary
After being married off for Nanny’s peace and widowed twice, Janie returns to the town that Joe Starks built. Eatonville, FL was in no way a sanctuary for Janie, but it did house the center of her many beginnings. As Janie sat at the feet of her friend, Phoeby Watson, she begins to pour out her heart and soul. Janie was thrown into the car...