When Their Eyes Were Watching God was first released, it is interesting that it gained more acceptance from white reviewers than from African-American reviewers even though it depicts an African-American female who slowly emerges into the black culture. Even during this time of racist views that lingered throughout the United States, one white reviewer said Zora Neale Hurston's book was a "rich and racy love story..." (Foreword) However, black reviewers were not as kind. One such critic of the novel was Richard Wright, a well-known and influential black writer, who felt that the novel "carries no theme, no message, no thought." (Foreword) Most African-American critics felt that Hurston should focus on the more important issue of the time; racism, and that she made black life appear easygoing and carefree.

Her book focuses on a main character named Janie, who struggles to find her place in life. She is...