With an official birthdate somewhat in question (most references place it on January 7, while one other lists it as being eight days later) Zora Neale Hurston lived an interesting, and successful, at least literarily, if not monetarily, life. Born in Alabama, to a couple of former slaves, she, however, always considered Eatonville, Florida, where she moved as a young child, as her hometown. Her idyllic and happy childhood found her surrounded by examples of African American successfulness, herself living in a good sized home with eight rooms placed on a large plot of land. Unfortunately, with the death of her mother in 1904 and father’s subsequent remarriage, Hurston’s blissful existence was shattered, as she found herself at extreme odds
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There is, however, a major discrepancy in regards to their financial accomplishment. The most Hurston ever received in royalties for any of her books was $943.75 and couldn’t afford her own funeral, while Washington reportedly makes 80 thousand dollars per episode of Scandal and has a net worth of $8 million. Even taking into account the differences in the cost of living in each women’s time period, that is a drastic …show more content…
Overall, currently there is greater acceptance by the public, shown by the opportunities available, accolades given, and monies earned. Also, the roles of women illustrated in both women’s work are quite different as well. In Hurston’s The Complete Stories, the women are primarily depicted as was typical for the time; hard working, stay-at-home, and provided for by their husbands, yet Washington, on the other hand, has portrayed numerous smart, independent, and powerful female characters. With Hurston dying in the middle of the Civil Rights Movement, and before the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which “outlawed” discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin, she was subjected to opinions and discriminations much different than Washington. It seems reasonable to say, that if either women performed their craft during the other’s era, there would have been much different
There is, however, a major discrepancy in regards to their financial accomplishment. The most Hurston ever received in royalties for any of her books was $943.75 and couldn’t afford her own funeral, while Washington reportedly makes 80 thousand dollars per episode of Scandal and has a net worth of $8 million. Even taking into account the differences in the cost of living in each women’s time period, that is a drastic …show more content…
Overall, currently there is greater acceptance by the public, shown by the opportunities available, accolades given, and monies earned. Also, the roles of women illustrated in both women’s work are quite different as well. In Hurston’s The Complete Stories, the women are primarily depicted as was typical for the time; hard working, stay-at-home, and provided for by their husbands, yet Washington, on the other hand, has portrayed numerous smart, independent, and powerful female characters. With Hurston dying in the middle of the Civil Rights Movement, and before the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which “outlawed” discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin, she was subjected to opinions and discriminations much different than Washington. It seems reasonable to say, that if either women performed their craft during the other’s era, there would have been much different