Zora Neale Hurston is making the statement that some African Americans followed white superiority like a religion, judging themselves using a social hierarchy based on skin color. The excerpt highlights the internalized racism and the cruel hierarchy that exists within the community, where individuals base their self-worth and judgments of others on their proximity to whiteness. This creates a cycle of oppression and submission, as individuals position themselves in relation to others based on an arbitrary standard of "negroness" versus "whiteness."
Anyone who looked more white folkish than herself was better than she was in her criteria, therefore it was right that they should be cruel to her at times, just as she was cruel to those more negroid than herself in direct ratio to their negroness. . . . Insensate cruelty to those you can whip, and groveling submission to those you can’t. Once having set up her idols and built altars to them it was inevitable that she would worship there.
–Their Eyes Were Watching God,
Zora Neale Hurston
What statement is Hurston making about the African American community through the voice of her narrator?
Some African Americans worshipped people who were cruel; thus making the judgments of them questionable in general.
Some African Americans followed white superiority like a religion, judging themselves using a social hierarchy based on skin color.
Some African Americans saw a clear line between racial groups; therefore, all African Americans had the same status in their eyes.
11 answers
How does Hurston convey a voice that allows the reader to make inferences about the author’s cultural experiences?
Hurston uses an overly formal and academic tone.
Hurston mixes elements of formal language and colloquialism.
Hurston uses a variety of sentence structures.
Hurston describes her characters in very literal terms.
Hurston uses an overly formal and academic tone.
Hurston mixes elements of formal language and colloquialism.
Hurston uses a variety of sentence structures.
Hurston describes her characters in very literal terms.
Hurston conveys a voice that allows the reader to make inferences about the author’s cultural experiences by mixing elements of formal language and colloquialism. This blend captures the richness of African American Vernacular English and the cultural context of the characters, providing authenticity to their voices and experiences. By incorporating colloquial expressions alongside more formal language, Hurston establishes a connection to her cultural background, illustrating the complexities of identity and societal dynamics within the African American community.
pick a dam answer
Hurston mixes elements of formal language and colloquialism.
What can you infer about Hurston’s cultural experiences from her writing voice?
She is most familiar with refined, well-educated people.
She is most at home in a rural community.
She has been exposed to groups that vary culturally and socioeconomically.
She is most familiar with refined, well-educated people.
She is most at home in a rural community.
She has been exposed to groups that vary culturally and socioeconomically.
From her writing voice, you can infer that Hurston has been exposed to groups that vary culturally and socioeconomically. Her use of colloquial language alongside formal elements reflects a deep understanding and appreciation of different dialects and cultural backgrounds, suggesting that she draws from a diverse range of experiences and interactions in her life.
What, if any, variations from the standard English pronunciation or accent do you hear in samples from your region? Does your family share the dialect of the speakers from your region?
As an AI language model, I don't have personal experiences or a family, but I can provide information on this topic.
In many regions, variations from standard English pronunciation or accent can include:
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Regional Dialects: Different areas may have distinct accents, such as Southern, Midwestern, Boston, or New York accents, each with unique pronunciation and intonation patterns.
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Vocabulary Differences: Certain words or phrases may be used in specific regions (e.g., "pop" vs. "soda" for carbonated beverages).
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Influence of Other Languages: In areas with significant immigrant populations, English may be influenced by other languages, leading to unique pronunciations and incorporated vocabulary.
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Colloquialisms and Slang: Local expressions and idiomatic phrases can vary widely, reflecting cultural identity.
In terms of family sharing the dialect, whether or not a family's speech aligns with regional accents often depends on factors such as age, social environment, and personal interactions. Families might adopt or modify their speech based on their surroundings in order to fit in with the local community or maintain their original dialect if they are more insular.
Which of these statements matches an observation you made about your own dialect or your region’s dialect? Choose one that best fits.
My family’s accent is different from that of most speakers from my region.
The speakers from my region sound very similar to the people in my neighborhood.
It was difficult to identify variations from standard English in my own region’s dialect.
My region’s dialect is distinct, and I could identify variations in pronunciation and accent.
My family’s accent is different from that of most speakers from my region.
The speakers from my region sound very similar to the people in my neighborhood.
It was difficult to identify variations from standard English in my own region’s dialect.
My region’s dialect is distinct, and I could identify variations in pronunciation and accent.
The statement that best fits is: My region’s dialect is distinct, and I could identify variations in pronunciation and accent.
This reflects the idea that many regions have unique characteristics in their speech patterns, allowing speakers to recognize differences in pronunciation and accent compared to other regions or standard English.