Zora Neale Hurston’s Their Eyes Were Watching God: A Protest Novel

Abstract

This research paper aims to prove the spirit of protest that pervades many aspects of Zora Neale Hurston’s Their Eyes Were Watching God. Departing from most early African-American novels which focus on race relations and condemn the attitudes and prejudices towards black people, Hurston’s novel tackles the black life and the struggles that take place within the black context. The novel’s celebration of the black life and elimination of the white effective presence are a clear assertion of protest and disapproval. It further suggests another cry of protest through critiquing male-female relationships and the unbalanced male-dominant black relation. This research paper offers a close examination of Hurston’s celebration of the black setting, language and lifestyle which uncovers the real spirit of protest and rebellion in the novel; the novel’s quest of affirming the black identity in opposition to the white dominance and authority.

Keywords

• Zora Neale Hurston
• Their Eyes Were Watching God
• Protest literature
• Celebration of the black life and values