Zora Neal Hurston

             Childhood is an extremely important stage in every person's life. One's personality and independence is molded through experiences in their childhood. Through diction and manipulation of point of view, Zora Neal Hurston conveys not only a plentiful and satisfying childhood within the bounds of her own home, but also a childhood restricted by fears of the outside world and the future that was a part of it.
             One of Hurtson's point of views that emphasizes childhood restrictions , is her as a child. Her mother does not allow them to play away from home very often, and this is seen as a restriction from a child's point of view. "Once or twice a year we might get permission to go and play at some other house." This gives the reader sympathy for the young child that wants to play away from her home more. Though it is for her own good, she uses her point of view to convey her displeasure with the rule. Another childish point of view is displayed in the following quote. "It was a common thing... to fill the iron tea-kettle full of eggs and boil them,... and eat them until we were full." This shows how abundant eggs were to the children. It is childish to lay around and eat eggs until full. Her diction lends to her child-like attitude by grouping herself with her siblings. "...common thing for us smaller children..." This shows her mind set as a group of children. Instead of saying "all of the children", she puts herself in the group. This gives the reader a sense of unity within the young children. The next quote shows the simple and southern diction used by Hurtson. "Folks up north there must be crazy." "Folks" was a common word among the historic southern states. Her simplistic writing style conveys the thoughts of a child.
             An encouraging and uplifting mood is seen in the mother's point of view. This quote is a good example of Hurston's mother&a...

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Zora Neal Hurston. (1969, December 31). In MegaEssays.com. Retrieved 02:19, March 29, 2024, from https://www.megaessays.com/viewpaper/12109.html