The Transformation Of Women Images In Zora Neale Hurston's Novels From The Perspective Of Gender Relationships

Zora Neale Hurston is considered as the maternal ancestor of African American women writing by Alice Walker,who is an American prestigious black writer and critic.Hurston's depicts authentic American Southern lives.As a black feminist writer,Hurston focuses on the plight of black women,who are under the dual oppression of race and gender,and appeals for gender equality and woman's independence.Most of her writings are created from 1920 s to 1940 s.Therefore,this thesis uses black feminist theory to interpret Hurston's women images and the transformation in context of race,politics,and gender.Women images from the perspective of gender relationships have been an important motif in Hurston's works.But under the influence of political and cultural background as well as Hurston's personal living experience,women images in her works are dynamic.In the 1920 s,Hurston becomes known among readers by short stories.As one of the new writers in Harlem Renaissance,Hurston is good at describing the lower-class black people instead of middle-class black elites,and pays particular attention on poor black women,who are under the oppression of both racism and sexism.Using southern black language,Hurston exposes the patriarchal ideology and exploitation that southern black women bear.Although some women try to fight for individual freedom and gender equality,they usually fail at the end because patriarchy and sexism are overwhelming.In the 1930 s,Hurston becomes more popular than before.Jonah's Gourd Vine(1934)impresses readers because the woman protagonist fights for marriage autonomy,and her husband transforms from a nobody to a successful preacher under her guidance.In southern black folklore collection Mules and Men(1935),black women form gangs and beat men physically.Her masterpiece Their Eyes Were Watching God(1937)has achieved great success in African American writing,and the woman protagonist is unique in her attitudes towards three marriages.Unflinchingly rebelling against the physical and spiritual oppression as well as the domestic violence from her former two husbands,the woman protagonist finally achieves spiritual independence in her third marriage.In this period,Hurston's tone becomes relatively mild,her language is poetic,and her style is romantic.Compared to the heroines inher 1920s' short stories,the 1930s' heroines are capable to fight against patriarchal oppression and are spiritually superior than men.Meanwhile,some men are not always contrary to women and helpful to the freedom of women,though they turn out to be obstacles on women's way to independence.However,this change is only Hurston's imagination to build a gender-converted utopia.In the 1940 s,the gender relationship in Hurston's writing is egalitarian.In her last published novel,Seraph on The Suwanee(1948),Hurston casts her eyesight on a white trash woman,Arvay,whose image is negative in most parts of the novel.Arvay's psychological issues and Hurston's egalitarian views are the main part in chapter four.Gender relationship does not hinder the spiritual independence of Hurston's heroine.The relationship between Arvay and her husband turns out to be reciprocal.They spiritually grow together,and acquire self-esteem and mutual respect from each other.Hurston appeals for an egalitarian and reciprocal gender relationship beyond race and gender.Man is no longer the oppressor but helper to women.Therefore,Hurston reconciles with gender relationship.The gender relationship reflected in Hurston's writings changes from antagonistic,to converted,and ends as egalitarian.Black women transform from victims of sexism,to fighters against men oppressors.At last,woman is spiritually equal with man.As a black feminist writer,in the 1920 s Hurston tries to exposes the sexism in black community.In the 1930 s,being a famous and successful black woman writer,Hurston holds confidence of woman's capability,idealizing her black women protagonists.In her last novel,Hurston underlines individual value regardless of one's race or gender.Woman and man are egalitarian and reciprocal to each other.Hurston witnesses and experiences sexism when she is a child,so in the 1920 s she mainly criticizes the sexism and racism that black women suffer from.By exaggerating women's power,Hurston rebels against sexism in her imagination in the 1930 s.The Great Depression and WWII transfer the attention of American society and literature to some more general issues that are beyond race and gender.As a consequence,in the 1940 s syncretism becomes the main feature of African American writing.Meanwhile,in her autobiography Hurston repeatedly manifests individualism that is beyond race,gender,and culture.