AP Language and Composition
Hurston
Directions:
1. Who is Hurston’s audience? How do you know?
2. Hurston is countering a lot of closely held arguments sprouting from the Harlem Renaissance. For example, what is
the argument that prompts her to counter, “But I am not tragically colored” in paragraph 6?
3. How would you characterize the language Hurston uses in paragraph 11 to describe her reaction to the music in The
New World Cabaret? Select 3 examples (words, phrases) and then characterize the effect of these choices to Hurston’s
purpose.
Words/Phrases
Effect on Hurston’s purpose
4. Hurston divides her essay into four sections. Identify the sections by paragraphs and jot down the main idea for
each section.
Section 1
¶#_______
Section 2
¶#_______
Section 3
¶#_______
Section 4
¶#_______
5. Why does Hurston organize the text in this way?
How does it help her fulfill her purpose?
6. Identify the extended metaphor in the concluding paragraph? Is it consistent with Hurston’s overall tone, or does it
introduce a different “note”? Does the final sentence provide an effective ending?