logo

25 pages 50 minutes read

How It Feels To Be Colored Me

Nonfiction | Essay / Speech | Adult | Published in 1928

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Essay Topics

1.

Hurston offers multiple definitions of her sense of what it means to be African-American or “colored’ (the commonly used term of the day). Identify the different ways she experiences racial identity and contrast the major ones.

2.

For Hurston, what is the relationship between place and identity? Use examples from the essay to support your discussion.

3.

Discuss Hurston’s perspective on whites. How is her perspective different from the usual perspectives of whites as dominant?

4.

Identify at least one important symbol in the essay. How does Hurston use this symbol to support her arguments with regards to racial identity?

5.

Hurston frequently uses contrast to define terms and support her arguments. Highlight three examples of her use of contrast and discuss how these examples contribute to the discussion.

6.

Some of Hurston’s statements are laced with humor or are tongue-in-cheek. Identify examples of her use of humor. What impact does the use of humor have on the tone of the essay, and what purpose does the use of humor serve in terms of her arguments?

7.

Hurston uses metaphors throughout the essay. Highlight three examples of her use of metaphor and analyze how she uses these metaphors to support the major purpose of the essay.

blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
Unlock IconUnlock all 25 pages of this Study Guide

Plus, gain access to 8,800+ more expert-written Study Guides.

Including features:

+ Mobile App
+ Printable PDF
+ Literary AI Tools