1. Their Eyes Were Watching God Zora Neale Hurston and the Harlem Renaissance

2. The Harlem Renaissance 1920’s and 1930’s 1920’s and 1930’s First time mainstream publishers and critics took African American literature seriously First time mainstream publishers and critics took African American literature seriously Beyond literature, encompassed Beyond literature, encompassed Music Music Theater Theater Art Art Politics Politics

3. The Great Migration Post Civil War Post Civil War Movement of blacks from economically depressed South to industrial North Movement of blacks from economically depressed South to industrial North More educated and socially conscious African Americans moved to Harlem (NYC) More educated and socially conscious African Americans moved to Harlem (NYC)

4. The Great Migration by Jacob Lawrence Pyramid shape shows sense of community Taking “home” with them (box) Community paralleled to flock

5. Common Themes: Alienation, marginality, use of folk material, use of blues tradition, problems for writing for an elite audience.

6. Post World War I Openness to literature and change Openness to literature and change Sophisticated New Yorkers, black and white drawn to Harlem for music and nightlife Sophisticated New Yorkers, black and white drawn to Harlem for music and nightlife Stimulated national market for African American literature and music Stimulated national market for African American literature and music

7. The music: jazz Emerging musicians: Bessie Smith Bessie Smith Jelly Roll Martin Jelly Roll Martin Louis Armstrong Louis Armstrong Duke Ellington Duke Ellington

8. Fire! Literary magazine in Harlem Literary magazine in Harlem First published 1926 First published 1926 Publishers: Publishers: Langston Hughes Langston Hughes Zora Neale Hurston Zora Neale Hurston Wallace Thurmon Wallace Thurmon

9. Art from all genres (visual arts, literature, music) appealed to mixed audiences but relied on white publishing houses.

10. Ending of Harlem Renaissance Great Depression (economic pressure) Great Depression (economic pressure) Growing feeling by some artists that art should be politically motivated; that is, should highlight African American issues such as segregation and racism. Growing feeling by some artists that art should be politically motivated; that is, should highlight African American issues such as segregation and racism.

11. Major Accomplishment of Harlem Renaissance: Proved that the white race did not have a monopoly on literature and culture in America Proved that the white race did not have a monopoly on literature and culture in America

12. Zora Neale Hurston Born 1891 Born 1891 As a child moved to Eatonville, Florida (1 st all-black incorporated town in America As a child moved to Eatonville, Florida (1 st all-black incorporated town in America Father served several terms as mayor Father served several terms as mayor Attended Howard University Attended Howard University Published 1 st story in 1921 (age 30) Published 1 st story in 1921 (age 30)

13. Moved to Harlem 1925 1925 Became significant figure in Harlem Renaissance Became significant figure in Harlem Renaissance Primary publisher of Fire! Primary publisher of Fire! Enrolled in Barnard College and studied anthropology (study of man) under Franz Boas (greatest anthropologist of 20 th Century) Enrolled in Barnard College and studied anthropology (study of man) under Franz Boas (greatest anthropologist of 20 th Century)

14. Two greatest influences on writing: Living in Eatonville (largely sheltered from racial prejudice most African Americans experienced else where) Living in Eatonville (largely sheltered from racial prejudice most African Americans experienced else where) Study of anthropology: the study of humankind in all its aspects, especially human culture or human development Study of anthropology: the study of humankind in all its aspects, especially human culture or human development

15. Their Eyes Were Watching God Published in 1937 (Hurston age 46, Janie age 40; Hurston had difficulty with relationships: two marriages, one with a much younger man ) Published in 1937 (Hurston age 46, Janie age 40; Hurston had difficulty with relationships: two marriages, one with a much younger man ) Technically after HR, but associated with that time period Technically after HR, but associated with that time period Well received by white critics as intimate portrait of southern blacks; however, notable black authors thought it was stereotyping the black race as happy go lucky and ignorant. Well received by white critics as intimate portrait of southern blacks; however, notable black authors thought it was stereotyping the black race as happy go lucky and ignorant.

16. Social Realism Thought art should be political and expose social injustices Thought art should be political and expose social injustices Dismissed Harlem Renaissance authors as devoid of political content Dismissed Harlem Renaissance authors as devoid of political content Richard Wright (African American author) wrote a scathing review of Eyes: Richard Wright (African American author) wrote a scathing review of Eyes: Dialect portrayed blacks negatively Dialect portrayed blacks negatively Content failed to address timely social injustices such as segregation and racism Content failed to address timely social injustices such as segregation and racism

17. Hurston focus was not on racism, but on feminism. (Most male authors did not support her.) Hurston focus was not on racism, but on feminism. (Most male authors did not support her.) Childhood in Eatonville vastly void of racism (all black community) Childhood in Eatonville vastly void of racism (all black community) Hurston wanted to focus on the celebration of speech and the traditions of black people. Hurston wanted to focus on the celebration of speech and the traditions of black people.

18. Hurston’s last days 1950’s – fell into obscurity 1950’s – fell into obscurity Could not get work published Could not get work published Employment as a maid Employment as a maid Had stroke; moved to welfare home Had stroke; moved to welfare home January 28 th, 1960 – died penniless; buried in unmarked grave January 28 th, 1960 – died penniless; buried in unmarked grave Author Alice Walker read work and appreciated; decided to find grave; found and marked with phrase “A genius of the South.” Author Alice Walker read work and appreciated; decided to find grave; found and marked with phrase “A genius of the South.”