It is reasonable to remember that racism and discrimination used to be accepted phenomena a few decades ago. This approach can help people understand that the system was harmful. Their Eyes Were Watching God, a novel by Zora Neale Hurston, is a reminder to ensure that people avoid these adverse events in the modern world. In the story, the author offered a comprehensive discussion of identity, its elements, importance, and relation to modernism.
To begin with, one should state that Hurstonâs concept of identity is complex and consists of a few elements. A personâs skin color is the first constituent because it demonstrates an individualâs cultural background (Kaibartta, 2020). Since the period of African-American slavery was present, it was no surprise identities of representatives of this ethnic group drew much attention to this skin. The second element of identity refers to gender because women were considered subordinate in the male-dominated world (Kaibartta, 2020). These two elements are powerful because they determine what place a person can occupy in society. In particular, Hurston states that female African Americans were underprivileged in the aggressive and patriarchal system a few decades ago. However, the author provided her character with determination, motivation, and courage to achieve equality in society (Kaibartta, 2020). This viewpoint is aligned with modernism, which promotes a break from tradition and individualism.
In conclusion, race and gender play an influential role in shaping identity, according to Zora Neale Hurston. These two elements contribute to the fact that a person has a particular position in society, and it is challenging to refute it. However, the author provides her characters with sufficient courage and motivation to protect their rights. This approach finds its reflection in the element of modernism because the break from tradition and individuals were crucial concepts in this movement.
Reference
Kaibartta, S. K. (2020). Redefining female identity in âTheir Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Huston. Jamshedpur Research Review, 1(XXXVIII), 7-11.