Nature and the Domestic and the Struggle for Identity in Zora Neale Hurston’s

Sweat and Their Eyes Were Watching GodÁsdís Björnsdóttir

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Zora Neale Hurston1891-1960

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The ideal self: the desired state of being

The real self: the actual, current self image

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Emerging Black identity:

• Founded on cultural roots (The domestic represents the real self)

• Racial eqality a common goal (nature and the desired ideal self)

“You ain’t goin’ off in all dat mess uh commonness. Ah’m surprised at yuh fuh askin’”

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