on at least two occassions, Hurtson refers to death as " square- toe, which means exceedingly proper or straight - laced. Why do you think Hurstson describes it in this mannner?

Abstract, spiritual ideas like God and Death (which Hurston capitalizes and personifies) are made literal in this chapter through vivid imagery. Death is described as "that strange being with the huge square toes who lived way in the West. The great one who lived in the straight house like a platform without sides to it, and without a roof. What need has Death for a cover, and what winds can blow against him? He stands in his high house that overlooks the world." This type of personification is the literary device that Hurston is most famous for.