The Many Lives of Zora Neale Hurston

One of the most renowned authors of American literature, Zora Neale Hurston is best known for her 1937 novel, Their Eyes Were Watching God. But she was also a prominent anthropologist, researcher, and journalist who indelibly shaped the Harlem Renaissance and made lasting contributions to American history and folklore. In this talk, we will view Hurston’s journey through the lens of her novels, as well as her ethnographic work, her personal experiences, and her aspirations. We’ll conclude by returning to Hurston’s most famous novel, and the reasons why Their Eyes Were Watching God remains a classic.  The talk will last about 45-60 minutes with ample time for Q/A's. 

Leah Milne (she/her) is the author of Novel Subjects: Authorship as Radical Self-Care in Multiethnic American Narratives, which won the 2021 Midwest Modern Language Association Book Award and examines multiculturalism and self-care in works by authors such as Carmen Maria Machado, Ruth Ozeki, Toni Morrison, and Louise Erdrich.  As an Associate Professor of English at the University of Indianapolis, she teaches multicultural, postcolonial, and young adult literature.  Her works have been published in journals and magazines such as The Journal of American Culture, African American Review, Newsweek, The Hill, and Ms. Magazine. You can find out more at LeahMilne.com.

Join us for related programs:

• December 10: Book Club Discussion of Their Eyes Were Watching God
• December 12: Screening of the movie adaptation of the novel Their Eyes Were Watching God

Note: This event is part of the Indiana Humanities’ Advancing Racial Equity Speakers Bureau and One State/One Story Community Read programs.