African American Stereotypes In Literature

9 Pages 2285 Words

“…Afro-American writers have insinuated their countermyths into the dominant discourse by appearing to endorse myths they in fact seek to subvert.” (- Craig Warner)
Craig Warner’s statement regarding African-American writers can also be said about writers who also seem to endorse myths regarding women that most women would prefer to undermine. In other words, the same myths which seem to plague African-Americans also plague the lives of many women and can be seen in some of the writings by authors who have been covered in class. Can either of the aforementioned statements be true? It is possible, especially when looking at the works of Zora Neale Hurston, William Faulkner, Henry James, and Kate Chopin. In order to understand the basic myths related to African Americans and how they are similar to the myths regarding women it is best to begin by examining the works of Zora Neale Hurston.
Zora Hurston is an African-American writer who seems to endorse certain myths regarding the African-American race as well as myths regarding women. This type of endorsement coming from Hurston is rather extraordinary considering that Hurston comes from the age of the Harlem Renaissance and has an extensive educational background. Some of the myths which Hurston endorses include: Black men are lazy, blacks are ignorant, and women are submissive. Knowing that Hurston’s influence is from the Harlem Renaissance it is interesting how she portrays the various characters in her stories. Especially since, according to an in class presentation, “The Harlem Renaissance, also known as the Negro Movement, was a time in which all blacks were encouraged to participate in art and literature to increase awareness of the African-American culture. This was also a time when there was an increase in intellectual African-Americans.” With the increases intellect among the race, it is a wonder why Hurston chooses to depict characters such as Jelly and Sweet B...