The Forgotten Years Of Their Eyes :: essays research papers

Although Hurstons reinvigorated Their Eyes Were Watching God is a widely read tonic today, that wasnt always the case. When her novel was first published, many desolate readers were ferocious. It wasnt until the early seventies when Hurstons novel was rediscoered and then at last brought back into the literary canon. What aspects of the novel enraged the readers so that it would be forgotten for more than thirty years?One of the most important aspects of the novel that enraged the black readers was Hurstons portrayal of the blank people. Readers complained that Hurston wasnt harsh enough in her critique of the white peoples treatment towards the black people. quite than portraying whites as the stereotypical Simon Legree of Uncle Toms Cabinthe ideal poor, racist white trashmost whites that take part in the novel ar contrarily very helpful towards the blacks and show great compassion towards them as well. For example, when Janie begins her story we meet the Washburns. These are the white folks for whom nurse worked for and they are very helpful towards both Nanny and Janie by treating them as if they are part of the family. Contrary to a lot of whites at the time who treat blacks as if they were still slaves, the Washburns treat both Nanny and Janie as human beings rather than slaves, showing great respect and love. In a way they are depicted as angels who truly believe in human equality and dont have one bit of prejudice in them. Mah grandmother raised me. Mah grandma and de white folks she worked widThey was quality white folks up dere in West Florida. Named Washburn. She had four granchillun on de place and whole of us played together (8).Furthermore, by reading Hurstons novel, one can clearly see that all blacks place the whites on a alkali of knowledge. jibe to the blacks of the novel, whites know everything and are always right they are superior and since blacks are supposed to be ignorant and stupid, they should believe and do everythin g the whites say. For example, Mrs. Turner states that she trusts except white doctors because black doctors arent as educated and skilled as the white doctors. Dont bring me no nigger doctor tuh strike over mah sick-bedWhite doctors always gits mah money (135-136). Another example is when the Indians are evacuating the muck because they foresee a big hurricane coming and the blacks dont move stating that since the whites arent evacuating theres no reason to.The Forgotten Years Of Their Eyes essays research papers Although Hurstons novel Their Eyes Were Watching God is a widely read novel today, that wasnt always the case. When her novel was first published, many black readers were enraged. It wasnt until the early seventies when Hurstons novel was rediscovered and thus eventually brought back into the literary canon. What aspects of the novel enraged the readers so that it would be forgotten for more than thirty years?One of the most important aspects of the novel that enrage d the black readers was Hurstons portrayal of the white people. Readers complained that Hurston wasnt harsh enough in her critique of the white peoples treatment towards the black people. Rather than portraying whites as the stereotypical Simon Legree of Uncle Toms Cabinthe ideal poor, racist white trashmost whites that take part in the novel are contrarily very helpful towards the blacks and show great compassion towards them as well. For example, when Janie begins her story we meet the Washburns. These are the white folks for whom Nanny worked for and they are very helpful towards both Nanny and Janie by treating them as if they are part of the family. Contrary to a lot of whites at the time who treated blacks as if they were still slaves, the Washburns treat both Nanny and Janie as human beings rather than slaves, showing great respect and love. In a way they are portrayed as angels who truly believe in human equality and dont have one bit of prejudice in them. Mah grandma raised me. Mah grandma and de white folks she worked widThey was quality white folks up dere in West Florida. Named Washburn. She had four granchillun on de place and all of us played together (8).Furthermore, by reading Hurstons novel, one can clearly see that all blacks place the whites on a pedestal of knowledge. According to the blacks of the novel, whites know everything and are always right they are superior and since blacks are supposed to be ignorant and stupid, they should believe and do everything the whites say. For example, Mrs. Turner states that she trusts only white doctors because black doctors arent as educated and skilled as the white doctors. Dont bring me no nigger doctor tuh hang over mah sick-bedWhite doctors always gits mah money (135-136). Another example is when the Indians are evacuating the muck because they foresee a big hurricane coming and the blacks dont evacuate stating that since the whites arent evacuating theres no reason to.