Gallantry

Gallantry (noun): an act of marked courtesy; very brave behavior

"A pushing, shoving show of gallantry. They all beg the girls to just buy anything they can think of." (Hurston, 67).


Albus Dumbledor performed many acts of gallantry, most notably facing off Lord Voldemort.


"Gallantry." Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 06 Jan. 2015.
Hurston, Zora Neale. Their Eyes Were Watching God: A Novel. New York: Perennial Library, 1990. Print.

Irk

Irk (verb): to make weary, irritated, or bored


Kanye West is frequently irked by those who disagree with his image of his own awesomeness.

"Irk." Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 06 Jan. 2015.
Kanye West Attacks Paparazzo. Digital image. Abodo Talk Ph. N.p., 20 July 2013. Web. 6 Jan. 2015.

Temerity

Temerity (noun): the quality of being confident and unafraid of danger or punishment, especially in a way that seems foolish

"The town had a basketfull of feelings good and bad about Joe's position and possession, but none had the temerity to challenge him" (Hurston, 50).


Captain Jack Sparrow displayed temerity as he faced the British Royal Navy and the East India Trading Company.


"Temerity." Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 06 Jan. 2015.
Hurston, Zora Neale. Their Eyes Were Watching God: A Novel. New York: Perennial Library, 1990. Print.

Desisted

Desist (verb): to cease to proceed or act

"She saw the terrible and the lips tightened down to hold back the cry and desisted," (Hurston, 14).

When drivers see a stop sign, they should desist to press the gas pedal.

"Desisted." Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 06 Jan. 2015.
Hurston, Zora Neale. Their Eyes Were Watching God: A Novel. New York: Perennial Library, 1990. Print.

Mulatto

Mulatto (noun): the first generation offspring of a black person and a white person

"Mah mulatto rice ain't so good dis time," (Hurston, 5).


"Mulatto." Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 06 Jan. 2015.
Hurston, Zora Neale. Their Eyes Were Watching God: A Novel. New York: Perennial Library, 1990. Print.

Pugnacious

Pugnacious (adjective): showing readiness or desire to fight or argue

In the opening scene of TEWWG, the men observing Janie note her "pugnacious breasts trying to bore holes in her shirt" (Hurston, 2).



Prison inmates often behave pugnaciously due to their frustration at their environment.

"Pugnacious." Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 06 Jan. 2015.
Hurston, Zora Neale. Their Eyes Were Watching God: A Novel. New York: Perennial Library, 1990. Print.

Aphorism

Aphorism (noun): a concise statement of a principle; a short statement that expresses a wise or true idea

Zora Neale Hurston's novel, Their Eyes Were Watching God, contains a plethora of aphorisms such as "Unless you see de fur, a mink skin ain’t no different from a coon hide" (pg 7), referring to the need for more complete understanding before judging a situation.

 Fortune cookies hopefully contain aphorisms, though sometimes the fortunes are unhelpful or confusing.

"Aphorism." Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 06 Jan. 2015.
Hurston, Zora Neale. Their Eyes Were Watching God: A Novel. New York: Perennial Library, 1990. Print.