In Jonah’s Gourd Vine, Zora Neale Hurston introduces the character of John Pearson, a strapping, incredibly handsome young man who has the innate ability to enthrall most people who cross his path. As the story begins with the harsh reality of conflict between Pearson and his step-father Ned Crittenden in conjunction with the affirmation of…

In “Crazy for this Democracy,” Zora Neale Hurston critiques the rhetoric around democracy, equality, freedom and justice in the United States. She uses the metaphor of disease to critique the failure of the United States to deliver democracy both abroad and at home. Since we were going to be talking about the piece itself, I…