Janie makes no pretense of being above other people, in the same manner that Hurston didn't in her life. During the Harlem Renaissance, when many black authors were writing works that boasted their intellect, Hurston continued in her own unique style. They worked to appear worthy and on the same level as whites, abandoning the folklore and less "refined" parts of black culture. Hurston fought against this. Knowing, without having to prove it, that the races were indeed equal, she saw it fit to embrace her culture for what it was. Janie does the same in the novel. Though she has Caucasian features and lighter skin that Mrs. Taylor fawns over, she doesn't see herself as above her darker friends, nor does she wish to assimilate and join whites. Beyond racial hierarchy, she resents Joe's attempts to place her above the other people in the town. She wants instead, to talk and laugh with everyone, choosing enjoyment, love, and the folklore culture, over removed and unfulfilling superiority.
The path that Hurston chose must have made her a happy woman, as she paints her protagonist as having chosen that path as well. Huston often draws from her own experiences, for instance, living in Eatonville, growing up without parents, to create a truthful and poignant tale, but this is one such case where she uses lessons she lived by, to instruct her readers on what she believes is the best way to live. Speaking as one of her readers, I definitely agree with her.
Barbara I agree! Another fact to support that Hurston did not think she was above others is that she went back to working as a maid at the end of her life. She did not embellish her lifestyle with things that would make her above others. She actually made herself subservient.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that Janie does not see herself as being above the other black people. However, she does see herself as being above other people. Janie believes and fights for her rights in a world where black women have few rights. Janie thinks that she simply deserves every chance in the world to be happy. Janie was born with beautiful light features, but she never works to improve her life. Janie always thinks that she deserves the best in life.
ReplyDeleteBarbara, thank you for reading my mind. It is surprising/rare to find people with such integrity. I had to do a double take when I first read that Hurston as a child did not know that she was born African-American.
ReplyDeleteI don't really understand Newman's comment to Barbara's post. It seems to be a bit contradicting. How does somebody think they are equal to others of the same race, but then think they are better than all humans in general? I don't think that Janie thinks she deserves the best. It's more of the idea that Janie believes that she deserves the same opportunity to have the best.
ReplyDeleteI agree. It's interesting that Hurston is able to transcend black stereotypes on her and her peers and not feel hostility towards whites. She views everyone as her equals and does not search for power above others in the community.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you and Hurston. Embracing your own culture and respecting the one's around you is the way to true racial and cultural equality
ReplyDeleteLike Lauren I disagree with Newman's comment. I do not think Janie in any way shows that she thinks she is better then anyone. She seems to be off on her own world thought wise, and not being above other people. I agree with Barbara in the fact that Hurston makes Janie think she is no better because that was the way she acted.
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