What Is Hurston's Critique Of Their Eyes Were Watching God

In discussions of the book, “Their Eyes were watching God”, one controversial issue has been on the rise for decades. On one hand, praisers of the book argue that Hurton’s depicts a captivating love story incorporated with the finding of one’s identity. On the other hand, critics, such as Richard Wright, contend that Hurton’s book primarily focuses on race by demonstrating unfavorable views about African Americans. Others even maintain to agree with both. Centralizing primarily on Richard Wright’s critique, I believe he failed to see the essence of Hurston’s story, ultimately overlooking the main focus entirely. Richard Wright's claim that Hurton's “Their Eyes were watching God” voluntarily continues in her novel the tradition which was forced upon the Negro in the theater “the minstrel technique”, shows that he neglected to recognize Hurton's main theme being a coming of age story, by only focusing on racial aspects and equating it to the whole book. …show more content…
Proponents of Wright are right to argue that Hurston does bring to light racial notions that were negatively represented especially when character, Mrs. Turner, talks about negroes in a negative manner, without defense from Janie. But he is exaggerating when he claims that it progresses “minstrel technique” and furthermore has “no message”. Richard Wright’s critique of Hurton’s book is a view that is only one sided and unfair in which it focuses upon one aspect.Wright disregarded Hurton’s primary focus in the story and failed to see “Their Eyes Were Watching God” is an enthralling story that describes a woman who was extremely lost and confused with herself, ultimately ending with a woman who is found, empowered, and fully aware of her self identity. “Ah done been tuh de horizon and back and now Ah kin set heah in mah house and live by comparisons” (Hurston, page