Anthropology and Zora Neale Hurstons Their Eyes Were Watching God and

Anthropology and Zora Neale Hurstons Their eyeball Were Watching deity and jonahs Gourd VineZora Neale Hurston described the study of anthropology as a spy-glass, an illuminating lens (1). Anthropology is defined as the scientific study of the origin, the deportment, and the physical, social, and cultural development of humans (2). Through this study and with the aid of an essay formation human nature written by Cardinal Jean Daniello, we can take a closer look at the behavior of the characters in Hurstons novels Their Eyes Were Watching God and Jonahs Gourd Vine. Hurston uses her anthropological lens to create complex characters in these two whole shebang. Hurston began her study of anthropology at Barnard College in the 1920s where she concentrated on African American culture and folklore. Hurston became the first African American to chronicle African American voodoo and folklore (1). The publications Mules and Men and Tell My Horse are works that directly incorporate her anthropological field notes on Black folklore and tradition (1). Hurstons background with anthropology was the foundation for her future fiction writings. The title of her first novel, Jonahs Gourd Vine, reflects Hurstons passion for storytelling and folklore because it is inspired by a biblical story. The story tells of Jonah, who has a beautiful plant growing around him. However, God destroys it because Jonah does not appreciate it and it leads to his fall. Therefore, the story becomes a metaphor for the fall of sewer Pearson. In the novel, Hurston utilizes the personal experiences with her family to create complex characters in the story. It centers on John Pearson, a man who lusts after many women. Johns desire for women at times appe... ... imply the fixity that some people want it to. Johns behavior is not a product of human nature. What is natural is not an excuse for a persons wrong-doing. No characters in these novels share the same imperfections. Everyone is fl awed, but there is mum control. Under Hurstons anthropological lens, one can better understand her complex characters and their motivations in these stories. Works Cited1) American Feminist for Anthropology. Zora Neale Hurston. April 10, 2005. http//sscl.berkeley.edu/afaweb/Hurston%20Bio.htm.2) www.dictionary.com3) Danielou, Cardinal Jean. Does Human Nature cost? April 10, 2005. http//www.ewtn.com/library/THEOLOGY/NATEXIST.htm4) Hurston, Zora Neale. Jonahs Gourd Vine. HarperCollins Publisher New York, 1990. 5) Hurston, Zora Neale. Their Eyes Were Watching God. HarperCollins Publisher New York. 1998.