Zora's Roots Film Analysis

Zora’s Roots, a film based on the life of Zora Neale Hurston, allows individuals to understand the life of Hurston throughout numerous different stages of her life. The film begins with the tragic scene of Hurston witnessing the death of her beloved mother; Hurston was only thirteen years old. Because her mother was unable to speak, she informed her father that she had to serve as the voice for her mother. She exclaimed that her mother depended on her. Even at a young age, she did not mind expressing her feelings and speaking up whenever it was necessary. Eatonville, a black community in Florida, is the city that Hurston considered as home. The small city contained a very special place known as Joe Clarks porch. This place is referenced several times throughout the film. Hurston often sat and interacted with older men at Joe Clarks porch. During this time, she was able to gain influences that she could later implement in her writing.

Although I read the book Their Eyes Were Watching God in high school, I do not believe I was prepared to understand the logic behind who the author really was. Watching the film Zora’s Roots before reading any major short story or novel by Hurston can allow readers to gain a better understanding of the meaning behind the writing. Undoubtedly, Hurston was also able to be viewed as the great anthropologist and novelist that she was. I would recommend this film for an English, literature, poetry, or even a creative writing classes. This film can help viewers understand that that world is surrounded with great mysteries to write about. Most the time, those mysteries are within close proximity. I do believe it was not by coincidence that the film expressed how some of Hurston’s work was able to be saved from a burning fire. Without a doubt, the film included just enough details for Hurston’s legacy to forever be