Depiction of Folklore and Voodoo in Zora Neale Hurston‟s Novel Jonah‟s Gourd Vine | Original Article

ABSTRACT:

Zora Neale Hurston (1891–1961) devoted much of her career to present African-American folk culture. She presented readers a broad understanding of a highly metaphorical folk vernacular and introduced them to hoodoo, folktales, lying competitions, spirituals, the blues, sermons, children's games, riddles, and playing the dozens. The purpose of this research paper is to depict some aspects of folklore in Jonah‟s Gourd Vine. Hurston's use of southern folklore lends the novel an accurate depiction of southern culture in Florida in the early 20th century. The reader gains a deeper grasp of the persons, society, and culture through her depictions of folk belief, music, and sayings. Hurston employs four significant forms of folk culture in Jonah's Gourd Vine folk tale, music, sayings, and belief.