Point of View

The story is written in first person from the viewpoint of Zora Neale Hurston. This perspective is not nearly so limited as is typical of first person stories because of the nature of the book. The book is presented as a series of scenes, with Hurston relating details about the people she is with and the stories they tell. While the perspective is limited to whatever Hurston can see and hear at the time, her purpose is to relate all the stories that are told to her by the various people around her. The limitation is not an issue for this story.

Hurston's own connection to the people she interviews could skew the story to some degree. She cares for these people and grew up with many of them. While the goal of the story is to relate the tall tales of the people, she also...