Hurston's Impact On African American Literature

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Zora Neale Hurston once said, “Sometimes, I feel discriminated against, but it does not make me angry. It merely astonishes me. How can any deny themselves the pleasure of my company (Hurston, 1928)?” the interpretation of this statement can be many things. However, at the core, it represents the magnitude of the woman, not a woman of any particular ethnicity, but just the idea and definition of what a woman means. The impact of women and the growth and subsequent evolution of women throughout history is more than just provoking. Women show a historical timeline and development all while acting as ambassadors, leaders, and heroines. All of these things are what make a great story and whether the woman is the antagonist, protagonist, or the …show more content…
From an artistic standpoint, the stories of Daisy Turner although historical are harrowing accounts of experiences. Progressing onto the Harlem Renaissance, the contribution of women authors began to change the landscape of literature in general markedly. However, the impact on African American literature was immense as the Harlem Renaissance became its own specific subset of American literature and changed the style, content, and context of what exist in a number of genres. Fast forward to today and authors such as Zane, who has created an explosion in the area of erotica, Terry McMillan in romance, and to the eerie stylings of Octavia Butler in science fiction and horror (Foster, 1993). These women are just the tip of the iceberg. The growth and development of women authors throughout time embody where the authors were during various points in history, how certain circumstances affect their views, and the product they ultimately produce. The writing of female author shows the parallel between what women experience and how they deal with everyday life, love, family, and …show more content…
One can ask two people standing side by side to relay what they see and their version can be completely different. Therefore, when one factors in experiences, upbringing, and other variables what comes through is stories rich in nostalgia and alternate viewpoints. The pain of slavery and racism, whether experienced first hand or through the stories of ancestors. The fight for equality as a person of color and as a woman. The joy and laughter of facing adversity and still finding a resounding happiness through love and family. Each of these components create quilt that is the foundation of literary greatness. The weight of consistently representing the strong black women all are ingredients in the narratives of black women, and the stories told about them (Kubitschek, 1991). Therefore the input of these multiple factors highlights as well as give a timeline to the emergence of women in African American

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