* Zora's artistic vision: Zora is a gifted storyteller who wants to capture the rich culture and traditions of her Black community in her writing. She sees beauty and power in the stories, myths, and folklore that are often dismissed or ignored by the outside world.
* Community expectations: Zora's community is a predominantly Black community in the South, facing racism and poverty. They emphasize practicality and conformity, often discouraging pursuits like writing that are seen as frivolous or unrealistic.
This clash manifests in various ways:
* Zora's parents' disapproval: Her parents view writing as a waste of time and urge her to focus on more "practical" pursuits like teaching.
* The community's skepticism: People in Eatonville, Florida, where she grew up, don't understand her desire to collect folk tales and stories. They think it's strange, even embarrassing, to highlight aspects of their culture that they consider "primitive" or "backward."
* The struggle to be taken seriously: Zora faces prejudice and discrimination from both white and Black communities who doubt her abilities and dismiss her work as trivial.
This internal conflict drives Zora to pursue her passion despite the obstacles and resistance she faces, ultimately shaping her identity as a writer and her commitment to documenting the stories of her people.