Their Eyes Were Watching God is TERRIBLE!

[Robert E Lee]

I'm reading this for AP English, and I'm a quarter of the way through. It's so bad.

1) It's extremely pretentious. It alternates between overflowery, nonsensical prose and negro dialect. It's supposed to be stylish, but I find it headache inducing.
2) the dialect is inconsistent. On one page, the main character says "dey," and on another it's "they."
3) It is impossible to sympathize with the characters. They're so FLAT!
4) It does more to insult blacks than to make us have pity for them. Richard Wright said it himself; it reads like a damn minstrel show.

whuh does y'all tink bout dis heah buk?

[Shea]

It's been a while, but I remember enjoying the book. I didn't notice the inconsistency in the dialect, but I did have a hard time with it, I had to sort of read it out loud half the time. But I guess the dialect was important to provide the setting.

I also couldn't figure out where the characters were going untill about more than half way through the book. I think that I can compare it to The Color Purple in that its the story of a girl (sorry, can remember her name) raised in this setting of which she has no control, and yet in her own way, she rises above it dispite ridicule and obstacles. One can almost put another race in place of blacks and the story would come out the same.

Anyway that's what I remember, but I enjoyed the ending more than anything else.

[imthefoolonthehill]

Who wrote The color purple and their eyes were Watching God? ( I realize that they are two different authors)... or at least I think they are.

[Shea]

Their Eyes Were Watching God was written by Zora Neale Hurston. I don't know who wrote The Color Purple. (I only saw the movie)

[Tabac]

Their Eyes Were Watching God was written by Zora Neale Hurston. I don't know who wrote The Color Purple. (I only saw the movie)

Alice Walker wrote it. I can certainly understand why people enjoy/appreciate this book more than Eyes...God.

[Melodylemming]

I agree. It was awful. I had no sympathy for anyone in the book.

[AbdoRinbo]

C'mon, Lee, we all know the reason you despise that book is because you hate black people.

[Black Flag]

"C'mon, Lee, we all know the reason you despise that book is because you hate black people."


I hardly think such insulting language is appropriate in this forum. There is absolutely no reason why someone cannot express their true opinion on any work of literature without being subjected to such hateful bigotry. Knock it off.

[AbdoRinbo]

"C'mon, Lee, we all know the reason you despise that book is because you hate black people."


I hardly think such insulting language is appropriate in this forum. There is absolutely no reason why someone cannot express their true opinion on any work of literature without being subjected to such hateful bigotry. Knock it off.

Pfhw ! Shut up, you wanker. Lee is pro-segregation, he said it himself. Besides, if I wanted your opinion I'd beat it out of you.

[Black Flag]

"Pfhw ! Shut up, you wanker. Lee is pro-segregation, he said it himself. Besides, if I wanted your opinion I'd beat it out of you."

You miss the point: Your insults have nothing to do with literature and do not belong here. There's no need to be so rude.

[Blackadder]

You guys are going to get this thread locked, you know. So cool it.

[Blackadder]

Back on the topic:

I remember not being able to get into Eyes. I had a hard time finding the narrative thread and the characters weren't at all appealing to me. I haven't read The Color Purple, yet. I still think that one of the best books about the African-American experience is Roots, by Alex Haley. It's a tome, though. :) So if you have a couple of months free...

[AbdoRinbo]

You guys are going to get this thread locked, you know. So cool it.

Whatever you say, princess. Honestly, locking this thread might not be such a bad idea.

[vanessa]

i think that a book is always a reflection of the author and the society in which that author lives. there are 2 levels to their eyes were watching god. the plot may not be as complicated as, say anna karenin, but the rich display of language and emotion, the colourful imagery, all make for a pleasant read on a simplistic level, and on a more intellectual level, an insight into the writer and the society in which that person struggled yet still managed to produce. in order to understand a work such as their eyes were watching god, you have to understand the writer, and i think, the reason why zora neal hurston is possibly one of the best authors i have ever had the pleasure of discovering, is because she is also an artist. Richard Wright is her antithesis. he was a pedant and a proud , strong black writer in the strictest sense. He wrote for social reasons. Furthermore, James Baldwin criticised some of his work, but that doesn't automatically make Wright less worthy. The Native Son is worthy of all the praise it has received. I think you should all give Zora another shot, read some more of her work. Her liquid style, her word play, her evident love of linguistics, her emotion and especially her humanity are all remarkable feats against tough times.

[den]

First of all, no, sorry I never read the book.

I have no pity for blacks. Anymore. See, I've tried to enroll in `Ebonics University' but they rejected my app. on the grounds I had no hope in hell at my age to pick up new language, and I'm too damn `white' to `get' it all. :D :D

Edited to add: However in the laundry room here in my apartment building, I have come across a mine-field of old books by Peter Gentry and others (circa 1970-76) appropo name huh? about Old South slavery and struggle, and I love them. They're very <cough> compelling... I think some pervy old lady dropped them off when she moved out. At least this guy's consistent in his linguistics.

[hlivermo]

Spend a few years teaching school in the deep south and pay attention to the fierce conditions under which many of your students live. A fifth grade boys that lives in a house with five women and he's not sure which one is his mama. A tenth grade boy that would rather stay in after school for punishment rather than face life on the street. I lived the first 53 years of my life in relative comfort, isolated from the problems of ghettos, then I moved south. It's an eye-opening experience, I'll tell you. Zora is right on the money with her book... It's not the usual kind of narrative... It's pure poetry.

[Nevolia]

Blackadder...a couple of months??..wow..is Roots really that long...
I would like to know more about the author Zora, though i don't know the first name..or is that the first name...From what everyone says she sounds like a good author (Is that an understatement?) Oh and just a quick note...Not naming names..though it's obvious...it's really disappointing to see all that hate and ignorance posted by some of you just on this topic...

[den]

<ahem> Well I hope you didn't take my `pity' comment to be ignorant or hateful... <makes note to ask Admin for `humour' section>



Oh and just a quick note...Not naming names..though it's obvious...it's really disappointing to see all that hate and ignorance posted by some of you just on this topic...

[AbdoRinbo]

Spend a few years teaching school in the deep south and pay attention to the fierce conditions under which many of your students live. A fifth grade boys that lives in a house with five women and he's not sure which one is his mama. A tenth grade boy that would rather stay in after school for punishment rather than face life on the street. I lived the first 53 years of my life in relative comfort, isolated from the problems of ghettos, then I moved south. It's an eye-opening experience, I'll tell you.

Spend a few years in Detroit, guy, it ranks #1 in the US for racial segregation and #3 for worst ghetto (the top seven aren't even in the south). On 8-mile road you will literally see two sides that are entirely opposed: the south side is black, the north side is white. Michigan also ranks #1 in unemployment (that's why Bush came to Livonia a few weeks ago to try and pursuade us small folks that the sources who sold him that crock of ****e 'trickle down' theory finally pulled their heads out of their asses). Anyway, I like Detroit . . . it's got character. I'm a believer that we must be absolutely modern, but the south just seems like it is holding on to a lot of dead and outdated traditions ; and moreover, the accent is atrocious.

[Robert E Lee]

I'm back from vacation and tired, so I'll be concise: The book sucked.

The ending was so absolutely disgusting. After Jaynie tells her story the author subtly implies that Pheobe rushes upstairs to f--- her husband. Nice moral: Physically take advantage of the fact that your lover/husband is alive to make love to him. Wow, that's deep.

[gidget]

I disagree that "Their Eyes Were Watching God" is a terrible book, I personally really enjoyed the book. In fact, it is one of my favorite books that I have read. I read it a few years ago for my AP English class too, and it was one of the few books that I actually enjoyed that year. Right now I am taking a Postmodern class and am planning on re-reading "Their Eyes..." sometime soon, I think that I will be able to appreciate it even more now that I have been exposed to other works of postmodern literature. If you didn't like "Their Eyes were watching God" then I probably wouldn't recommend other works of Postmodernism, although I have to say that you are definately missing out on some amazing works of literature!

[KLO]

I agree with vanessa's earlier post--Hurston's book is a reflection of both the time and the woman writing it. Wright didn't like the book because it didn't have a more political agenda, which is absolutely true. Hurston's book is good because it presents the reality of life for a black woman in the swamps of Florida in the early part of the 20th century. The events portrayed in the book are things that Hurston herself experienced or that people she knew experienced. To me, this is why it is such a great book.

As a side note, Alice Walker was responsible in the late 1970s for buying a headstone for Hurston's grave and for bringing notice to Hurston's works, which had largely been forgotten.

[trismegistus]

As a side note, Alice Walker was responsible in the late 1970s for buying a headstone for Hurston's grave and for bringing notice to Hurston's works, which had largely been forgotten.
Yes. Walker freely admits that The Color Purple was directly inspired by Hurston's work, and that she, Walker, owes ZNH a great, great debt.

Personally I think this a case of the son surpassing the father. (Or the daughter surpassing the mother as the case may be.) IMO Walker's novel is far superior to Hurston's. The story is richer because AW is examining spiritual ideas that ZNH doesn't approach, and the epistolary format is a nice change of pace (and allows her to do some interesting things with character development). The plots of both are fine, but I'll take Walker's dialogue and prose every day and twice on Sunday over Hurston's.

[amuse]

i didn't realize this thread was here. i read that essay by Walker, and found it riveting. i know a lot of people who love the book. one day i will read it. when the time is right. i started it and was on a jag about something, so didn't finish it because i wanted to savor it.



that first paragraph by e. lee was the single most insulting thing i've read in this forum, though i'm unsurprised by it. i would have been much happier not having known this thread was here. we black people aren't "them." we are people.

[trismegistus]

that first paragraph by e. lee was the single most insulting thing i've read in this forum, though i'm unsurprised by it. i would have been much happier not having known this thread was here. we black people aren't "them." we are people.
Happily the thread seemed to have moved beyond bigotry and petty insults, which is why I didn't bother to comment on those things myself.

But seeing this thread makes me wonder again why a politics forum is taboo. I have to say that the statements made here seem far more likely to turn people off to this site than someone writing that George Bush is a lying, cowardly, dunderhead.

[amuse]

Happily the thread seemed to have moved beyond bigotry and petty insults, which is why I didn't bother to comment on those things myself..
yes indeedy. :)


But seeing this thread makes me wonder again why a politics forum is taboo. I have to say that the statements made here seem far more likely to turn people off to this site than someone writing that George Bush is a lying, cowardly, dunderhead.
i wondered that too, after logging off. as well as why e. lee was never censored by admin. admin?

btw, not to sidetrack too far from znh's book but has anyone read the essay walker wrote after visiting kingstown, jamaica (to pay her respects to mr. marley)?

[Icarus]

Well, I might be the only one who missed the point of Hurstons Eyes . It always seemed to me that Hurston was writing less as an African American and more as a woman. Besides that, Hurston always seemed to me a particularly proud person. I don't think she would have lobbied for 'pity' for the 'black man' anywhere. I think she was a strong woman far ahead of most woman from her demographic at the time, and more she can stands as a good writer of her time, regaurdless of sex and race. She wrote a damn fine story that some people may not like - hell, I didn't like Ulysses. I didn't like Anna Karrena. As matter of fact, I didn't even like The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Who would say these writers couldn't write or wrote poorly? If you were to ask me about tom's african american pal in Huck Finn, he's not exactly the deepest charecter I've come across. Oh, and writing completely aside I think Hurston contributed to many areas during her lifetime and writing as something she did on occasion. That's my take anyway, cheers, happy reading everyone.

[Logos]

This topic was started before I was around and it's possible Admin missed it at that time. But since it's been `bumped' up again, there is some worthy discussion going on. Or, does someone want to start a new topic about it?




i wondered that too, after logging off. as well as why e. lee was never censored by admin. admin?

btw, not to sidetrack too far from znh's book but has anyone read the essay walker wrote after visiting kingstown, jamaica (to pay her respects to mr. marley)?

[mono]

I loved the novel, personally (her short stories are better), and Hurston seems a very respectable author, though, I feel, she appears misunderstood. Being African-American and female during her era required much bravery and strength, and that she could produce such literary genius with the low potential her contemporaries expected of her seems amazing.
We all have our differing opinions - no problem.

[trismegistus]

Being African-American and female during her era required much bravery and strength, and that she could produce such literary genius with the low potential her contemporaries expected of her seems amazing.

I wouldn't want to detract from ZNH's accolades, but it's worth noting that she comes out of the Harlem Renaissance. I don't think I agree about the "low potential her contemporaries expected of her." I suspect that Langston Hughes and Countee Cullen would punch you in the snoot for suggesting their expectations for her (or any African American woman) were low.

(And who woulda thought this old thread would be resurrected?)

[genoveva]

First of all, no, sorry I never read the book.

I have no pity for blacks. Anymore. See, I've tried to enroll in `Ebonics University' but they rejected my app. on the grounds I had no hope in hell at my age to pick up new language, and I'm too damn `white' to `get' it all. :D :D


This is a very interesting discussion. I have not heard about this book until this year, and the title has stuck in my mind, and only have I now research what it's about. I am shocked and feel quite offended about many of the comments in this thread that read strongly racist.

I know these are fairly old posts, so perhaps some attitudes have changed.

Just because Zora Neale Hurston was black doesn't mean that she wrote the book to generate pity for all blacks. She was also a woman! Why isn't there any discussion or criticism of this novel being a feminist text, then?

A one sentence summary of the book from Sparknotes 101 reads:

"After two marriages to oppressive men, a woman finds temporary happiness with a husband twelve years her junior."

This would imply a different interpretation of the novel than your typical southern, black novel.

Other interesting facts about the author and the novel: (Again, from SparkNotes 101- gotta love it!)

"Zora Neale Hurston was born on January 7th, 1891, in Notasulga, Alabama, to John Hurston, a carpenter and Baptist preacher, and Lucy Potts Hurston, a former schoolteacher. Hurston was the fifth of eight children. When she was a toddler, her family moved to Eatonville, Florida, the first all-black town in the United States, where John Hurston served several terms as mayor."

She earned an associate degree from Howard University.

Along with Langston Hughes and Wallace Thurman, she organized the journal Fire!- "considered one of the defining publications of the era".

She enrolled in Barnard College "and studied anthropology with Franz Boas, arguably the greatest anthropologist of the twenthieth century."

She published Their Eyes Were Watching God in 1937.

She won a Guggenheim Fellowship.

Her work fell into obscurity and by the 1940's she had a hard time getting published.

"By the early 1950's, she was forced to work as a maid."

"A stroke in the late 1950's forced Hurston to enter a welfare home in Florida. She died penniless on January 28, 1960, and was buried in an unmarked grave."

As mentioned previous in this thread, Alice Walker "rediscovered her work in the late 1960's. In 1973, Walker traveled to Florida to place a marker on Hurston's grave that read 'A Genius of the South."

Walker wrote a 1975 essay in the magazine Ms. titled "In Search of Zora Neale Hurston" which placed Hurston's work back into the "limelight".

The novel was written in 1937 in Haiti.

Food for thought...