Zora Neale Hurston Project
Susana Cruz
Their Eyes Were Watching God
Zora Neale Hurston was an anthropologist and folklorist American writer. Her literary works, widely recognized today, were not appreciated while she was alive, and so she died in poverty. One of her best known and most acclaimed works is “Their Eyes Were Watching God".
Biographical critique...
Connection #1
During Hurston's childhood, she was very close to her grandmother because of the sudden death of her mother and the subsequent rejection of her father, which is very similar to what happens to Janie in the history, after her parents run off Janie is raised by her grandmother.
Connection #2
Hurston was born and raised in Eatonville, Florida, a place completely populated by African Americans.
Hurston use Eatonville as the setting of the novel.
Connection #3
Hurston father was the Mayor of Eatonville.
In the novel Janie is married to the Mayor of Eatonville.
Connection #4
Janie didn't know she was African American, and she realized this only after seeing a photograph of herself.
Similar to Hurston when greeting and chatting with white people without thinking about social expectations.
Connection #5
Horston's mother, did not worship her father like everyone else. Janie did not worship Joe like all the other people in the town.
Connection #6
Janie and Hurston both lived in search of true love. But neither of them had much success in their relationships.
Connection #7
Both Hurston and Jamie were married and divorced twice.
Connection #8
The actual date of the birth of Hurston, to date remains unknown. Hurston spent most of her life lying about her age. In the novel Janie does not seem to give much importance to age; her relationship with Tea Cake is a perfect example of this.
Connection #9
Janie leaves Eatonville and marries Tea Cake in Jacksonville.
Hurston leave Eatonville and move to Jacksonville where she started school.
Connection #10
When Janie returns to her town after being away for a while, she is scorned and gossiped about and no one seems happy to see her. When Hurston returned home she did not receive a warm welcome either.
Conclusion...
Biographical criticism is distinguished by carrying out historical and psychological studies of the authors, to have a better understanding of his work and of his characters. In this novel we can find so many details about Janie's life that matches up with Zora Neale Hurston real life.