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Hazel

Written by Mary White Ovington

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African Americans

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About this book

"Hazel" by Mary White Ovington is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story revolves around Hazel Tyler, a young girl of color, who navigates her life in a racially divided society after moving from Boston to Alabama to live with her grandmother. The narrative explores themes of childhood innocence, race, and familial love as Hazel adjusts to her new environment while grappling with her identity. The opening portion of "Hazel" introduces us to the main character, a young girl named Hazel Tyler, who is stuck inside on a rainy day and longs for a more exciting life. As she interacts with her mother and peers, her thoughts reveal her preoccupations with clothes and the struggles of her family's financial situation following her father's death. We witness her imaginative play with a friend as they act out a Bible story, showcasing Hazel's creativity and her desire to escape reality. The contrasting dynamics of her home life, alongside her aspirations for a brighter future, set the stage for the broader journey Hazel will undertake as she moves to Alabama, leading to critical reflections on her place in a racially stratified society.

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Reading guide

Themes, characters and key ideas in Hazel, written by Chaptra AI.

  • about 8 hours
  • intermediate
  • reflective
  • poignant
  • historical

Mary White Ovington's "Hazel" is an early 20th-century novel that chronicles the transformative journey of Hazel Tyler, a young girl of color, as she navigates a racially divided America. Initially living in Boston, Hazel faces the struggles of poverty and the yearning for a more fulfilling life, often escaping into imaginative play. Her life takes a significant turn when she moves to Alabama to live with her grandmother, forcing her to confront the harsh realities of a racially stratified society. The narrative intricately weaves themes of childhood innocence, the complex nature of racial identity, and the enduring power of familial love, all against the backdrop of a changing nation.

“"The rain beat against the windowpane, a dull rhythm to the louder drumming in Hazel's heart for a life less ordinary."”

Key themes

Race and Identity
This is the central theme, exploring how Hazel, as a young girl of color, comes to understand and define herself within a society deeply divided by race. The move from Boston to Alabama starkly highlights the different manifestations of racial prejudice and forces Hazel to confront her identity in the face of systemic discrimination.
Childhood Innocence and Experience
The novel charts Hazel's transition from a state of childhood innocence, characterized by imaginative play and a somewhat sheltered existence, to a more experienced understanding of the world's harsh realities, particularly racial injustice. Her move to Alabama accelerates this process.
Social Inequality and Justice
The novel implicitly and explicitly critiques the social inequalities prevalent in early 20th-century America, particularly those based on race. It exposes the injustices of segregation and the economic disparities that affect Hazel's family, advocating for a more just society.

Worth discussing

How does the contrast between Boston and Alabama shape Hazel's understanding of her identity and race?

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