A black woman in a white, male dominated society, Zora Neale Hurston had to struggle through a double barrier to achieve a voice others took for granted. As if in response to her social oppression, Hurston once wrote, “I have the nerve to walk my own way, however hard, in my search for reality, rather than climb upon the rattling wagon of wishful illusions.” In a time in which it was socially acceptable to remain submissive to the “illusion” of identity that society offered, Hurston demonstrates a strong language model to portray her distinct sense of self. Language models are the presence or absence of language, along with how language is used. Hurston’s “search for reality” provided her with an identity outside of social norms. Confident
…show more content…
In one situation, the men of the town crowd around one of the black women, Daisy, fighting over her while the porch sitters watch. There was “A big burst of laughter at Daisy’s discomfiture. The boys had to act out their rivalry too. Only this time, everybody knew they meant some of it. But all the same the porch enjoyed the play and helped out whenever extras were needed” (67). Hurston uses diction choices of “play,” “act out,” and “extras” to connote this scene with a play, as if already scripted, and the “characters” of the town are just acting it out. The townspeople are only conforming to the actions and speech already expected of them, even though it exhibits signs of classism and sexism, objectifying Daisy and assigning her a degrading role. Daisy’s “discomfiture,” or discomfort, is highlighted to both the readers and Eatonville, yet the town laughs at her, allowing the men to continue with this oppressive “act”. While the men are in control of the script, the women are given the role of submission and even objectification. Daisy continues playing her “role” despite being uncomfortable, which portrays her lack of control over her own identification. Because of her heavy reliance on social laws, Daisy is stuck in this position, unable to develop her own character. The pressures of society dictate her
In one situation, the men of the town crowd around one of the black women, Daisy, fighting over her while the porch sitters watch. There was “A big burst of laughter at Daisy’s discomfiture. The boys had to act out their rivalry too. Only this time, everybody knew they meant some of it. But all the same the porch enjoyed the play and helped out whenever extras were needed” (67). Hurston uses diction choices of “play,” “act out,” and “extras” to connote this scene with a play, as if already scripted, and the “characters” of the town are just acting it out. The townspeople are only conforming to the actions and speech already expected of them, even though it exhibits signs of classism and sexism, objectifying Daisy and assigning her a degrading role. Daisy’s “discomfiture,” or discomfort, is highlighted to both the readers and Eatonville, yet the town laughs at her, allowing the men to continue with this oppressive “act”. While the men are in control of the script, the women are given the role of submission and even objectification. Daisy continues playing her “role” despite being uncomfortable, which portrays her lack of control over her own identification. Because of her heavy reliance on social laws, Daisy is stuck in this position, unable to develop her own character. The pressures of society dictate her