(ThyBlackMan.com) Zora Neale Hurston remains one of the most important figures in African American literature and Black history. As a novelist, anthropologist, and folklorist, Hurston dedicated her career to capturing the voices, dialects, and stories of Black communities in the American South and the African diaspora. Her works are deeply rooted in Black history, offering a vivid portrayal of African American culture, struggles, and triumphs. Today, her books are essential reading for college students, as they provide historical insight, cultural depth, and critical discussions on race, gender, and identity. Below are five must-read books by Zora Neale Hurston that every literature student, especially those studying Black history, should explore.
1. Their Eyes Were Watching God (1937)
Hurston’s most famous novel, Their Eyes Were Watching God, is a masterpiece of African American literature and a cornerstone of Black feminist thought. The novel follows the life of Janie Crawford, a Black woman in the early 20th-century South, as she embarks on a journey of self-discovery through three marriages. Janie’s experiences with love, loss, and independence serve as an exploration of Black womanhood in a world shaped by racism and sexism.
From a Black history perspective, Their Eyes Were Watching God is significant because it challenges the stereotypes of Black women prevalent during Hurston’s time. It gives voice to an empowered female protagonist who refuses to conform to societal expectations. Hurston’s use of vernacular dialect and oral storytelling traditions also preserves the linguistic heritage of Black communities, an invaluable cultural artifact for students studying African American history and literature.
For college students, the novel is an essential read because it introduces themes of autonomy, resilience, and self-realization. It encourages discussions about gender roles, the Harlem Renaissance (of which Hurston was a key figure), and the representation of Black women in literature.
2. Mules and Men (1935)
Hurston was not only a novelist but also an anthropologist. Mules and Men is one of her most significant contributions to folklore and African American cultural studies. The book is a collection of Black folk tales, songs, and traditions that Hurston gathered while traveling through the South, particularly in Florida and Louisiana. It documents the rich oral history of Black communities, preserving stories that might have otherwise been lost.
The book is crucial to Black history because it captures African American folklore in its most authentic form. It presents spirituals, superstitions, and wisdom passed down through generations, providing a direct link to African traditions that survived the Middle Passage and slavery. The text is a reminder of the resilience of Black storytelling and cultural continuity in the face of oppression.
College students need to read Mules and Men to understand the roots of African American oral traditions and how folklore serves as a vehicle for resistance, education, and identity formation. The book is particularly valuable for students studying anthropology, African American studies, and literary history.
3. Jonah’s Gourd Vine (1934)
Hurston’s debut novel, Jonah’s Gourd Vine, is a semi-autobiographical story inspired by the life of her father, John Hurston. The novel tells the story of John Pearson, a charismatic Black preacher in the rural South whose rise to prominence is complicated by his personal flaws and infidelities.
From a historical perspective, the novel offers insight into the role of the Black church in African American communities. It examines how Black preachers were often revered as both spiritual leaders and community activists, but also how their personal lives sometimes clashed with their public personas. Hurston’s depiction of the church reflects its central role in Black social and political life, making it an important text for discussions on Black history.
For college students, Jonah’s Gourd Vine is a compelling exploration of the intersection of religion, morality, and leadership within Black communities. It also provides an opportunity to analyze Hurston’s writing style, particularly her use of Southern Black dialect and her portrayal of flawed yet deeply human characters.
4. Tell My Horse (1938)
Hurston’s work as an anthropologist took her beyond the American South and into the Caribbean, where she studied the cultures of Haiti and Jamaica. Tell My Horse is a remarkable nonfiction account of her firsthand experiences with Vodou (Voodoo) practices in these regions. The book is part travelogue, part ethnographic study, and part personal reflection, offering an in-depth look at the spiritual traditions of the African diaspora.
In terms of Black history, Tell My Horse is crucial because it provides an authentic portrayal of African-based religious practices that were often demonized or misunderstood by Western perspectives. Hurston’s work helped to legitimize Vodou as a spiritual and cultural tradition rather than merely superstition. She also connects these practices to the history of colonialism and slavery, making the book an important text for understanding the African diasporic experience.
College students studying African American history, Caribbean studies, or anthropology will find Tell My Horse to be a fascinating and essential read. It challenges Western biases and offers a broader understanding of Black cultural practices beyond the United States.
5. Dust Tracks on a Road (1942)
Hurston’s autobiography, Dust Tracks on a Road, provides a deeply personal look at her life, from her childhood in Eatonville, Florida, to her rise as a major literary and anthropological figure. The book is not only a recounting of her life but also a reflection on race, identity, and the challenges she faced as a Black woman in academia and the literary world.
Historically, Dust Tracks on a Road is valuable because it sheds light on Hurston’s struggles and triumphs during a period when Black women faced immense barriers in education and publishing. Her experiences as a writer during the Harlem Renaissance and her complex relationship with figures like Langston Hughes and Richard Wright offer critical insights into the literary movements of the early 20th century.
For college students, this autobiography is essential because it provides an honest and sometimes controversial perspective on race and politics. Unlike many of her contemporaries, Hurston was not a vocal advocate for civil rights in the way that figures like W.E.B. Du Bois or Wright were. Instead, she championed Black individuality and cultural expression, which makes her an important, albeit complex, figure for discussions on race, gender, and activism.
Zora Neale Hurston’s work is indispensable for understanding Black history, literature, and culture. Her novels and anthropological writings preserve the voices of Black communities, document African American folklore, and challenge mainstream narratives about race and identity. For college students, reading Hurston’s works is more than an academic exercise—it is an opportunity to engage with the rich and often overlooked history of Black storytelling.
Hurston’s literature challenges students to think critically about gender, class, race, and cultural preservation. She provides an unfiltered, deeply authentic portrayal of Black life that remains relevant today. Whether one is studying literature, history, anthropology, or cultural studies, Hurston’s books offer invaluable lessons on resilience, self-expression, and the power of storytelling.
By reading and analyzing these five essential works, students can gain a deeper appreciation for Hurston’s contributions and the lasting impact of her literary and cultural legacy.
Staff Writer; Jamar Jackson
