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Mules and Men

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Mules and Men by Zora Neale Hurston is a collection of African American folklore gathered by the author during her travels in Florida and Louisiana. The book includes stories, songs, and rituals from the African American tradition, providing a valuable insight into the cultural heritage of the community. Hurston's writing style captures the dialect and essence of the folk tales, offering readers a glimpse into the rich oral history of the American South.

The book delves into the world of African American storytelling and folklore, showcasing the traditions and beliefs passed down through generations. Through encounters with individuals from different backgrounds, Hurston documents a variety of stories ranging from myths to voodoo rituals. The narrative provides a unique perspective on the lives and experiences of African Americans in the early 20th century, highlighting the importance of preserving cultural heritage through storytelling.

Writing/Prose:

The prose is characterized by the use of African American Vernacular English, demonstrating clarity and authenticity while capturing the vibrancy of the characters.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot comprises a collection of folklore and tall tales, showcasing the storytelling tradition among African American communities, and addressing themes of race and culture.

Setting:

The setting encompasses Florida and New Orleans during the 1920s and 1930s, reflecting the cultural and social environments of African American communities.

Pacing:

The pacing is uneven and involves frequent narrative jumps, which can be challenging for readers accustomed to more linear storytelling.
As I crossed the Maitland-Eatonville township line I could see a group on the store porch. I was delighted. The town had not changed. Same love of talk and song. So I drove on down there before I stop...

Notes:

Zora Neale Hurston was a participant observer in her research for Mules and Men, actively engaging with the communities she studied.
The book explores themes of race, gender roles, and the treatment of women in African American communities.
Hurston collected 70 stories from Florida and 30 from New Orleans, blending folklore with her personal experiences.
Mules and Men features a rich transcription of Southern dialect and language, making the characters feel authentic and vivid.
The concept of 'woofing' is introduced in the book, referring to playful or aimless chatting, which is a cultural expression among the men.
The book includes a humorous story about the origin of butterflies, showing the creative storytelling tradition among the people.
Hurston was advised to avoid certain 'hoodoo' areas due to the cultural beliefs surrounding them, indicating the deep roots of these practices.
She documented hoodoo rituals and practices, often participating in them to better understand the culture.
The narrative reveals Hurston's awareness of her socio-economic status, as she felt out of place among the working-class people she was studying.
The second half of the book focuses on hoodoo, showcasing its complexities and contrasting with other folkloric traditions.
Despite being published in 1935, the book remains a crucial document in the study of African American folklore and history.
Hurston's work captures the essence of storytelling as a communal activity, essential for cultural preservation.
The book has been recognized for its contribution to both folklore and anthropology, classifying Hurston as one of the first Black female anthropologists.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Triggers may include depictions of hoodoo practices, animal sacrifice, and discussions of death.

From The Publisher:

Mules and Men is a treasury of black America's folklore as collected by a famous storyteller and anthropologist who grew up hearing the songs and sermons, sayings and tall tales that have formed an oral history of the South since the time of slavery. Returning to her hometown of Eatonville, Florida, to gather material, Zora Neale Hurston recalls "a hilarious night with a pinch of everything social mixed with the storytelling." Set intimately within the social context of black life, the stories, "big old lies," songs, Vodou customs, and superstitions recorded in these pages capture the imagination and bring back to life the humor and wisdom that is the unique heritage of African Americans.

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About the Author:

Zora Neale Hurston was a novelist, folklorist, and anthropologist. An author of four novels (Jonah's Gourd Vine, 1934; Their Eyes Were Watching God, 1937; Moses, Man of the Mountain, 1939; and Seraph on the Suwanee, 1948); two books of folklore (Mules and Men, 1935, and Tell My Horse, 1938); an autobiography (Dust Tracks on a Road, 1942); and over fifty short stories, essays, and plays. She attended Howard University, Barnard College and Columbia University, and was a graduate of Barnard College in 1927. She was born on January 7, 1891, in Notasulga, Alabama, and grew up in Eatonville, Florida. She died in Fort Pierce, in 1960. In 1973, Alice Walker had a headstone placed at her gravesite with this epitaph: "Zora Neale Hurston: A Genius of the South."

 
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