Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston is a celebrated novel of the Harlem Renaissance. The novel centers on the life and experiences of Janie Crawford, an African-American woman living in Florida.
Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston is a celebrated novel of the Harlem Renaissance. The novel centers on the life and experiences of Janie Crawford, an African-American woman living in Florida. Since its publication in 1937, the novel has become a classic of African-American literature, praised for its vivid descriptions, rich dialect, and feminist themes. However, not everyone was enamored with Hurston's novel. In his 1937 essay "Between Laughter and Tears," Richard Wright criticized the novel, arguing that it lacked a theme, message, and thought, and that it was not addressed to African-Americans but to white audiences who enjoyed "quaint" portrayals of Black life. This paper will analyze Wright's critique of Their Eyes Were Watching God and argue that while it is true that the novel is not overtly political, it nevertheless makes important contributions to African-American literature and culture.
The Context of Richard Wright's Critique
Before delving into Wright's critique of Their Eyes Were Watching God, it is important to understand the context in which it was made. At the time of the novel's publication, Wright was a leading figure in the African-American literary scene. He had gained national acclaim for his 1937 novel Native Son, which dealt with issues of racism and poverty in Chicago. Wright was also an outspoken critic of what he saw as the sentimental and nostalgic portrayal of African-American life in the literature of the Harlem Renaissance. He believed that Black writers should focus on the harsh realities of Black life and use their writing as a means of political and social critique.
In this context, it is not surprising that Wright would be critical of Their Eyes Were Watching God, which he saw as a romantic and escapist portrayal of Black life. However, it is worth noting that Wright's critique was not universally accepted by the African-American literary community. Many writers and critics praised Hurston's novel for its vivid and lyrical prose, its celebration of African-American culture, and its portrayal of a strong Black woman protagonist. Moreover, Hurston herself was a leading figure of the Harlem Renaissance and a pioneer of the study of African-American folklore and culture. Her work was instrumental in challenging the dominant narratives of African-American life that were prevalent at the time.
Wright's Critique
In his essay "Between Laughter and Tears," Wright argues that Their Eyes Were Watching God lacks a theme, message, or thought. He writes, "Miss Hurston can write; but her prose is cloaked in that facile sensuality that has dogged Negro expression since the days of Phillis Wheatley. Her characters eat and laugh and cry and work and kill; they swing like a pendulum eternally in that safe and narrow orbit in which America likes to see the Negro live: between laughter and tears" (Wright, 1937). Wright is suggesting that Hurston's novel is too focused on sensory descriptions and lacks intellectual depth. He accuses Hurston of catering to the tastes of a white audience that enjoys "quaint" portrayals of Black life, rather than addressing the concerns and experiences of African-Americans.
Wright's critique is not entirely without merit. It is true that Their Eyes Were Watching God is not an overtly political novel, and that it does not directly address issues of racism or social injustice. Instead, the novel is primarily focused on the inner life and experiences of its protagonist, Janie Crawford. However, this does not mean that the novel lacks a message or theme. Rather, Hurston's novel can be seen as a celebration of African-American culture and resilience, and a critique of the patriarchal norms that have historically oppressed Black women.
The Importance of Janie's Journey
At the heart of Their Eyes Were Watching God is the story of Janie's journey of self-discovery and empowerment. Janie is a complex and fully realized character, who defies the limited roles that were available to Black women in the early 20th century. Throughout the novel, Janie seeks to find her own voice and identity, resisting the expectations of her grandmother and the men in her life. She eventually finds love and fulfillment with Tea Cake, a younger man who respects and cherishes her independence.
Janie's journey can be seen as a powerful feminist message, challenging the patriarchal norms that have oppressed Black women throughout history. In a society that saw Black women primarily as domestic servants and child bearers, Janie seeks to find her own identity and voice. Her journey can be seen as a metaphor for the struggles of Black women to assert themselves and find their own place in a society that has historically denied them autonomy and agency.
Moreover, Janie's journey can also be seen as a celebration of African-American culture and resilience. Hurston's novel is steeped in the traditions and folklore of the Black community, and it celebrates the strength and resilience of Black women in the face of adversity. Janie's grandmother, for example, is a powerful matriarch figure, who instills in Janie a sense of pride in her heritage and culture. Through Janie's journey, Hurston highlights the richness and diversity of African-American culture, challenging the dominant narratives of Black life that were prevalent at the time.
The Importance of Hurston's Style
Another aspect of Their Eyes Were Watching God that is often overlooked in Wright's critique is the importance of Hurston's style. Hurston's prose is often praised for its vivid and lyrical descriptions, which capture the sensory experience of Black life in the South. Her use of dialect is also celebrated, as it gives voice to a marginalized community and challenges the dominant norms of literary language.
While Wright may have seen Hurston's style as lacking intellectual depth, it can be argued that her use of language is in itself a powerful political statement. By writing in a language that is often dismissed as "uneducated" or "vulgar," Hurston is challenging the dominant norms of literary language, which were based on the language of white, educated elites. By giving voice to the language and culture of the Black community, Hurston is asserting the value and importance of African-American culture and experience.
Moreover, Hurston's style can also be seen as a deliberate choice to reach a wider audience. While it is true that Their Eyes Were Watching God was not written exclusively for an African-American audience, this does not mean that Hurston was pandering to white tastes. Rather, Hurston may have seen her novel as a means of bridging the gap between the Black and white communities, by offering a glimpse into the rich and vibrant culture of African-Americans. In this sense, her use of language and style can be seen as a deliberate choice to reach a wider audience and challenge the dominant narratives of Black life.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Richard Wright's critique of Their Eyes Were Watching God must be understood in the context of the debates and tensions that existed within the African-American literary community at the time. While it is true that Hurston's novel is not overtly political, and may not address the concerns and experiences of all African-Americans, it nevertheless makes important contributions to African-American literature and culture. Janie's journey of self-discovery and empowerment can be seen as a powerful feminist message, challenging the patriarchal norms that have historically oppressed Black women. Moreover, Hurston's style can be seen as a deliberate choice to celebrate African-American culture and reach a wider audience. Their Eyes Were Watching God remains a powerful and enduring work of African-American literature, challenging dominant narratives and celebrating the rich and diverse culture of Black Americans.
In light of this analysis, it is important to recognize the limitations of Wright's critique and the dangers of dismissing the contributions of African-American writers who do not conform to a specific political or intellectual agenda. By dismissing the "sensory sweep" of Hurston's novel, Wright overlooks the importance of literary style and the power of storytelling as a means of challenging dominant narratives and asserting the value and importance of marginalized voices. Furthermore, his insistence on a specific political agenda risks reducing African-American literature to a mere tool for social and political activism, overlooking the complexities and richness of African-American culture and experience.
It is important to recognize that African-American literature encompasses a diverse range of voices and perspectives, and that these voices should not be dismissed or silenced simply because they do not conform to a specific political or intellectual agenda. Rather, we must recognize the value and importance of these diverse voices, and the ways in which they challenge dominant narratives and enrich our understanding of African-American culture and experience.
In conclusion, while Wright's critique of Their Eyes Were Watching God may have been valid in certain respects, it overlooks the rich and complex contributions of Hurston's novel to African-American literature and culture. Janie's journey of self-discovery and empowerment, and Hurston's celebration of African-American culture and language, offer important insights into the experiences and struggles of Black Americans, and challenge dominant narratives and norms. As we continue to explore and celebrate the diverse voices and perspectives of African-American literature, we must recognize the importance of embracing the complexity and diversity of this rich and vibrant literary tradition.
Customer ID: 100351