The Impact of Education on Zora Neale Hurston’s Writing Career

Zora Neale Hurston was an African American author, anthropologist, and filmmaker who gained fame during the Harlem Renaissance. Her writing style was unique in its use of vernacular language, and her work focused on the experiences of black Americans in the South, particularly in Florida. Her novels, short stories, and essays explored themes of race, gender, and identity in a way that was both insightful and entertaining, and she remains an important figure in American literature.

Early Life and Education

Zora Neale Hurston was born on January 7, 1891, in Notasulga, Alabama. Her family moved to Eatonville, Florida, when she was a young child, and it was there that she spent most of her formative years. Eatonville was the first all-black town to be incorporated in the United States, and its residents were proud of their heritage and community. Hurston later described Eatonville as a place where “colorism did not exist.” She was able to attend school there, which was rare for black children at the time.

Despite her early education, Hurston’s path to higher education was rocky. She attended Howard University in Washington, D.C., but she was forced to drop out due to financial difficulties. She later attended Barnard College, where she studied anthropology under the famous Franz Boas. Her time at Barnard was transformative for Hurston, as it gave her the intellectual tools to explore the cultural and racial dynamics of the American South.

Impact of Education on Her Writing

Hurston’s education had a profound impact on her writing. Her anthropological training gave her a keen eye for cultural detail, and she was able to incorporate these observations into her works of fiction. For example, in her novel “Their Eyes Were Watching God,” Hurston explores the role of folklore and mythology in black American culture. Her knowledge of anthropology allowed her to create a rich and authentic portrayal of these traditions, which were often overlooked in mainstream literature.

Hurston’s education also gave her the confidence to write from her own perspective. As a black woman living in the South, she was acutely aware of the racial and gendered hierarchies that governed society. Her education gave her the tools to interrogate these structures and to write about them in a way that was both honest and insightful. For example, her essay “How It Feels to Be Colored Me” explores the experience of being a black woman in America, and it remains a powerful and relevant piece of writing to this day.

Conclusion

Zora Neale Hurston’s education was a crucial factor in her writing career. It gave her the knowledge, confidence, and perspective to explore the cultural and social dynamics of the American South in a way that was both illuminating and entertaining. Her work remains an important part of American literature, and her legacy continues to inspire writers and scholars today.