50 pages • 1 hour read
Mules and Men
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.
Book Brief
341
Anthology/Varied Collection • Nonfiction
Florida • 1930s
1935
Adult
18+ years
960L
Super Short Summary
In Mules and Men, Zora Neale Hurston collects and records Black folklore from the rural American South, divided into two main parts: one section featuring 70 folktales from Florida communities and another detailing her experiences with six hoodoo practitioners in New Orleans. The book includes a Glossary, Appendix, and supplemental introductions and an afterword in later editions. The book contains the use of racial slurs and epithets, including the use of the n-word.
Informative
Mysterious
Humorous
Nostalgic
Contemplative
Reviews & Readership
6,617 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Mules and Men by Zora Neale Hurston receives praise for its vivid portrayal of African American folklore and culture. Critics commend Hurston's narrative style and the rich authenticity of her ethnographic work. However, some note that the book's structure can occasionally feel disjointed. Overall, it is celebrated for its significant contribution to cultural preservation.
Who Should Read Mules and Men?
Readers who enjoy Mules and Men by Zora Neale Hurston are often intrigued by African American folklore, anthropology, and oral traditions. Fans of The Souls of Black Folk by W.E.B. Du Bois or Beloved by Toni Morrison will appreciate Hurston's rich storytelling and cultural insights.
6,617 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Franz Boas
Franz Boas
A German anthropologist and Hurston’s mentor, credited as the "father of American anthropology," known for his rejection of scientific racism and promotion of cultural relativism, which influenced Hurston's anthropological works.
Charlotte Osgood Mason
Charlotte Osgood Mason
A white American philanthropist and patron during the Harlem Renaissance who funded Hurston’s research for *Mules and Men* and had a contentious relationship with her due to her desire to influence the work.
Marie Laveau
Marie Laveau
Known as “The Voodoo Queen of New Orleans,” she was a famous hoodoo practitioner whose legacy and mythos are explored in Hurston's research on hoodoo, maintaining a symbolic presence in the narrative.
341
Anthology/Varied Collection • Nonfiction
Florida • 1930s
1935
Adult
18+ years
960L
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.