Final answer:
There is no documented evidence of Zora Neale Hurston having a relationship with someone named Percival Punter. Hurston's literary work, however, often explored themes of self-liberation and individualism, particularly the self-actualization of female characters within abusive relationships.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question pertains to why Zora Neale Hurston broke up with Percival Punter. Zora Neale Hurston was known for her significant contributions as a cultural anthropologist and author during the Harlem Renaissance. She had a strong emphasis on individualism and self-reliance, as observed in her works. Although your question seems to reflect a personal relationship, there is no widely recognized figure by the name Percival Punter associated with Hurston, and therefore the question may be about a character in a literary piece rather than a real-life event involving Hurston.
Instead, Hurston's work often focused on themes of self-liberation, as illustrated in her critically acclaimed novel, Their Eyes Were Watching God, and the short story Sweat, where her female protagonists find strength to leave abusive relationships. Hurston's own marriages ended, but the reasons behind these ends are not detailed in the same way as the relationships in her fiction.
In the wider context of her beliefs and writings, Hurston supported Black self-help and was critical of government welfare programs. Her stance was rooted in her pride for the African-American community and culture, and her opposition to equating Black schools with inferiority, despite the prevailing judgments of her time. Her background as an influential figure in the Harlem Renaissance and her pioneering work as an anthropologist significantly influenced her views on personal relationships and societal structures.