The Mule-Bone
What is The Mule-Bone about?
The Mule-Bone (1931) is a comedy co-written by Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston, two giants of the Harlem Renaissance. Set in the all-Black town of Eatonville, Florida, the play revolves around two best friends, Jim and Dave, who fall out over a woman and go to trial after Jim hits Dave with a mule bone. The play uses Black Southern dialect, folklore, and humor to create a vivid portrait of community life. It was never performed during the authors’ lifetimes due to a bitter dispute over authorship; it finally premiered in 1991.
Main themes in The Mule-Bone
Harlem Renaissance
In The Mule-Bone, harlem renaissance provides a lens for understanding the story's core message.
African American comedy
The presence of african american comedy in The Mule-Bone connects readers to its enduring relevance.
Eatonville
The theme of eatonville weaves through The Mule-Bone, adding depth to its narrative.
Folklore
In The Mule-Bone, folklore provides a lens for understanding the story's core message.
Why The Mule-Bone is still relevant today
The Mule-Bone is a historically significant collaboration between two Harlem Renaissance giants. Its belated 1991 premiere made it a literary event.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Mule-Bone about?
Two best friends in an all-Black Florida town go to trial after a fight over a woman, in this folk comedy by Hughes and Hurston.
Why was it never performed?
Hughes and Hurston had a bitter dispute over authorship. The play was not performed until 1991, decades after both had died.
Who else wrote it?
It was co-written with Zora Neale Hurston, another major Harlem Renaissance figure.
Can I read it free online?
Yes, the complete play is available free on TextStack.