Hurston's Style

Literary Conventions

Character and Characterization

Plot

Style

Free Indirect Discourse

Theme

Time and Space Conventions

Spirituality

Characterization

Selection List:

Works Examined:

Their Eyes Were Watching God

by Zora Neale Hurston

Sula

by Toni Morrison
n
Meridian

by Alice Walker

Literary Conventions

Questions and Exercises

"Characters" are the persons in a dramatic or narrative work who, through dialogue and action, demonstrate their motivations. "Motivations" are the reasons why the person (character) performs, behaves, or reacts in certain situations. Motivation reflects moral qualities in particular situations. As a result of motivation), characters may appear "flat" (remaining unchanged throughout the work), or, they may be depicted as "round" (having experienced change or growth during the story in response to conflicts and events in the narrative or drama).
"Characterization" in the novel refers to the manner in which an author explains or exposes the characters. Sometimes the character develops without commentary by the author. The reader responds to the characters and understands them implicitly. Another method for characterization exists when the author provides explanation or commentary on the character. The comments and reactions of characters with each other in the work give the reader important hints about characterization.

Questions:

Their Eyes Were Watching God:

1. What does Jody's reaction to the community's invitation to Janie to speak at the lamp lighting ceremony tell the reader about the character of Jody and his probable future relations with Janie?

2. What is the importance of the author's description of Janie's physical appearance--her hair, physique, her clothes--as she enters the town of Eatonville in the beginning of the book?

Sula:

1. How is Sula's birthmark described by various characters and on what occasions?

2. What is the developing relationship between Sula and Shadrack? On what evidence can you base your interpretation?

Meridian:

1. What information about Meridian's mother and her maturation years assist the reader in understanding Meridian's teenage years?

2. Is the characterization of the Wile Chile clear? What information would lead to a fuller portrayal of the girl and Meridian's involvement with her?

Program content by Violet Bryan,Ph.D. and Robin Vander

Xavier University of Louisiana