Assignment Objective: The objective of this assignment is to critically analyze how a contemporary work of art, whether it be a novel, movie, TV show, song, album, or visual art, can be understood as a spiritual successor or deeply inspired by the themes and meaning found in Zora Neale Hurston's seminal work, Their Eyes Were Watching God. Through this analysis, students will gain insight into the enduring relevance and influence of Hurston's themes on modern artistic expressions. Instructions: Begin your essay with a quote from Zora Neale Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God that encapsulates the central theme or message you will be exploring in your analysis. This quote should serve as the thesis statement of your essay. Follow the format laid out by Stephanie Mayo-Lee in her essay "How Beyonce's Lemonade Took Us Home," including: Contextualization: Discuss the major theme of Their Eyes Were Watching God which is evoked by your choice of opening quotation. Comparison and Analysis: Draw parallels between the contemporary work of art and Their Eyes Were Watching God. Analyze how the themes, symbolism, and messages in both works intersect and diverge. Use specific examples and evidence to support your analysis. Personal Connection: Connect the themes of Hurston's novel as well as the contemporary work of art you are associating with Hurston's novel to a personal story from your own life. Reflect on how the themes explored in both the literary work and the contemporary art resonate with your own experiences or observations. Requirements: The essay should be 800-1200 words in length. Essays exceeding the word limit will not be penalized as long as the additional words contribute meaningfully to the analysis. However, essays shorter than 800 words may struggle to achieve the maximum score.