Historical Context
The book "Their Eyes were Watching God" reflects the historical background of its author-Zora Neale Hurston. She lived during the Harlem Renaissance, which was a transitional time for African Americans. Throughout this period, the African Americans began imitating the white writers less and styles in order to show pride of their own race. During the early 1900s, most white people thought that "negroes" are ugly, dumb. and silly. They did not accept them because they thought that they were less worthy. This idea is called racism. Many African Americans were enslaved and treated terribly; even if they were "free," they were still treated like dirt by most white people. Although many slaves were freed, the purpose of the Jim Crow Laws was to exclude black Americans from public places, and to keep them socially inferior to whites. This caused tension.While some African American wanted to form their own real towns, not everyone was ready for the change. Not everyone was "ready to think of colored people in post offices yet." Only recently freed slaves had mixed feelings and were filled with indecision about what they want and what they should do.
The technological advances such as satellites, radio and television were not invented then. These instruments warn us today of danger. Life in those days was more dangerous and more risky, forcing people to survive in any way that they could. When someone died, it was a custom for African-Americans to be very emotional in their mourning at funerals. They thought that if there was a lack of emotion, it was a sign that the deceased person was not loved. At the ceremony, the townspeople would celebrate and mourn the life and death of the person. Music was an important part of communities, especially jazz and blues, which very poplar and were sung on daily basis.
The dress code for women in the 1900s was strict. A woman had to wear a skirt to the ground no matter what she was doing, with high buttoned boots. Women also had to pin up her hair all the time and if she would fail to do so, she was considered a foolish gal who had no proper upbringing. Marriage was a commitment and divorce was not an option. Couples lived together, regardless if they were in love or if they hated each other. A change came when the first wave of the feministic movement that was aroused by Marie Stopes in 1920s. This movement was mostly focused on equality of men ad women, especially in marriage. This time period of Industrial Revolution was complex. There were many changes going on; neverless, the changes were for the good.
Information taken from:
1) "Their Eyes were Watching God"
2) Wikipedia
By: Susanna Sharikov
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