Zora Neal Hurston

Author of the book and the main point of view for the story. Hurston grew up in Eatonville, Florida, and it's here that she begins her quest to record "Negro folklore." Hurston has been away from the Deep South for some time, living in the North where she's earned a college degree. She says that she was "relieved" when someone told her to return to her roots and write the book about the tall tales of her childhood. She doesn't explain this, but it seems that she clings to those roots, even when she's expanding her own life experiences. Hurston feels a need to remain connected to people of her culture and her return to her hometown is significant in her welcome.

However, when she steps into another community, she finds the people distrustful, and it takes some time for her to become accepted among their...