Zora Neale Hurston Practice Questions

Correct answer: Their Eyes Were Watching God

Their Eyes Were Watching God is Hurston’s most celebrated novel, known for its rich use of dialect and exploration of Black womanhood. It gained widespread recognition after being rediscovered in the 1970s.

Correct answer: Harlem Renaissance

Hurston was a key figure in the Harlem Renaissance, a cultural movement celebrating African American art and literature in the 1920s. Her work reflected the richness of Black culture and folklore.

Correct answer: Janie Crawford

Janie Crawford is the central character whose journey toward self-discovery forms the core of the novel. Her life experiences explore themes of love, independence, and identity.

Correct answer: African American folklore

Hurston was trained as an anthropologist and collected African American folklore, which heavily influenced her writing. This gives her work authenticity and cultural depth.

Correct answer: Anthropologist

Hurston studied anthropology under Franz Boas and conducted fieldwork in the American South and Caribbean. This background informed her literary portrayal of Black communities.

Correct answer: Self-realization and love

Janie’s journey centers on finding her voice and true love. Her relationships reflect her evolving understanding of independence and fulfillment.

Correct answer: Mules and Men

Mules and Men is a collection of folklore gathered during Hurston’s anthropological research. It preserves oral traditions and storytelling styles of Black communities.

Correct answer: Use of Black vernacular dialect

Hurston used Black vernacular dialect to authentically represent speech patterns. This stylistic choice was both innovative and controversial at the time.

Correct answer: Florida

The novel is set in Florida, particularly in Eatonville and the Everglades. These settings reflect Hurston’s own upbringing and cultural experiences.

Correct answer: Black female empowerment

Hurston’s works often explore the empowerment and independence of Black women. Her characters challenge societal expectations and assert their identities.

Correct answer: Tea Cake Woods

Tea Cake is Janie’s third husband and represents a relationship based on mutual love and respect. Their bond helps Janie achieve personal fulfillment.

Correct answer: Dust Tracks on a Road

Dust Tracks on a Road is Hurston’s autobiography, detailing her life experiences and career. It provides insight into her personality and worldview.

Correct answer: Barnard College

Hurston attended Barnard College, where she studied anthropology. She was the first Black student to graduate from the institution.

Correct answer: Her hometown

Eatonville, Florida, was Hurston’s hometown and one of the first all-Black towns in the U.S. It served as a key setting in her literary works.

Correct answer: Tell My Horse

Tell My Horse documents Hurston’s travels in Haiti and Jamaica. It examines Caribbean culture, religion, and voodoo practices.

Correct answer: Alice Walker

Alice Walker played a key role in reviving Hurston’s legacy. She highlighted Hurston’s contributions and brought her work back into academic and popular discussion.

Correct answer: Authoritative and controlling

Joe Starks is Janie’s second husband and is depicted as domineering. He restricts Janie’s voice and independence, contrasting with her later relationship with Tea Cake.

Correct answer: Symbol of change and power

Nature symbolizes both beauty and destruction, especially during the hurricane scene. It reflects the unpredictability of life and human vulnerability.

Correct answer: Frame narrative

The novel uses a frame narrative, where Janie recounts her life story to her friend Pheoby. This structure allows reflection and storytelling within storytelling.

Correct answer: Celebrating Black culture and identity

Hurston’s work celebrates African American culture, traditions, and identity. She aimed to preserve and honor the richness of Black life through her writing.