Published Paper Details:

This study explores the significance of oral traditions and storytelling in Zora Neale Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God, a seminal work in African-Caribbean literature. The novel, which was published in 1937, reflects Hurston's anthropological background and her deep engagement with African-American folklore and culture, rooted in the African-Caribbean diaspora. Oral tradition in the novel serves as a powerful tool for preserving history, asserting identity and fostering community. Through the narrative structure of the novel and its focus on Janie Crawford's journey, Hurston intertwines storytelling with themes of self-discovery, love, and empowerment. The novel is narrated through a series of flashbacks, where Janie recounts her life story to her friend Pheoby, creating a frame narrative that mirrors African oral storytelling traditions. This study emphasizes the importance of the spoken word, examining how Hurston employs dialogue, dialect, and oral folklore to construct an authentic representation of African-Caribbean cultural practices. The research highlights how Hurston's use of oral narrative techniques allows for the exploration of African-Caribbean traditions and values, such as respect for elders, the significance of communal bonds, and the role of myth and folklore in shaping personal and collective identities. Additionally, the study investigates the role of the folk tale and the trickster figure in Hurston's storytelling, which are central motifs in African-Caribbean oral traditions. It also discusses the subversive power of oral stories, as they provide a space for marginalized voices to challenge dominant narratives, particularly those of patriarchy and colonialism. The storytelling in Their Eyes Were Watching God is presented as a form of resistance, as it empowers Janie to assert control over her own life story and to reclaim her voice from the constraints of societal expectations. In conclusion, this study argues that Hurston's novel is a dynamic representation of oral traditions, using storytelling as a mechanism for cultural preservation, empowerment, and resistance. The blending of literary and oral forms within Their Eyes Were Watching God allows Hurston to both honor and challenge the legacy of African-Caribbean oral traditions, offering a powerful narrative of self-determination and cultural continuity.