Looking for Zora

Alice Walker's search for Zora begins as her plane lands in Sanford, Florida. At the airport, she looks for Charlotte Hunt, her"companion on the Zora Hurston expedition". They begin their search at a "neat grey building" with two signs which read Eatonville Post Office and Eatonville City Hall. In there, they speak to a young lady, and Walker makes up an unnecessary lie to ensure she'll get the information she needs. They get pointed in the direction of Mrs. Mosely, who tells them Zora's grace isn't even in Sanford. They go to the mortuary that handled Zora's funeral and are given vague instructions to her grave. Before they leave, they learn Zora died of malnutrition. They buy Zora a tombstone and go find her grave. They eventually find Dr. Bentom, a man who personally knew Zora. Walker adds to her lie, even though she can tell it's not needed, and learns Zora actually died after a stroke. They travel to the welfare home Zora died in and speak to an old man who remembers Zora. They find out Zora was well liked and actually had a great funeral. Walker's quest ends with self-realization. All through her travels, she uses a lie that she is Zora's neice. This lie, although unnecessary at times, helps Walker get all the information she wants. It also makes the search for Zora personal, which in turn made it to where she couldn't give up. She learns about her heritage and herself at the same time. Walker is ultimately successful and leaves this experience with newfound knowledge.