Their Eyes Were Watching God

Zora Neale Hurston takes the reader into the world of Janie Crawford, an African American woman living during the early 1900’s in southern and central areas of Florida. Hurston uses dialogue that is in the form of a southern accent to draw the reader into the southern setting and feel the emotion in this novel. There is a good amount of dialect, forcing the reader to spend more time analyzing what is being said. Janie tells her story of the many journeys she has been on; they are split into three main parts of the book that correspond to each of her marriages. First, Logan Killicks, then Joe Starks, and finally Tea Cake. All three men are extremely different regarding personality and the way they treat Janie. These differences keep the reader on their toes, wondering what could possibly happen next in her life and relationships.
Janie’s free spirit is beautifully conveyed through many metaphors that are placed throughout the book. The connections and comparisons between love and nature are the basis of most of the metaphors, symbolizing her desire to be a happy, strong individual. This is the central theme of Their Eyes Were Watching God. Janie believes strongly in equality, which is not present in her first two relationships. She strives to gain a sense of spiritual satisfaction that can only be achieved by herself. The gender differences in her first two marriages pulled her down and prevented her from being who she really was. She believed that mutual respect for each other, no matter your gender is necessary in carrying out any type of relationship. However, her relationship with Tea Cake allows her to experience just this. Their interactions gave her the strength and ability to achieve her independence as a woman.
Overall, I would definitely recommend reading this book. It explores not only the setting and lives of African Americans living in the south, but also the obstacles that a woman comes upon during her earlier years in life. The book flows well, considering that Janie is moving from place to place and beginning new relationships. The way the book is written through Janie’s flashback on her experiences emphasizes how far Janie has come independently. We are immediately introduced to her as someone who does not care what people are saying about her, signifying her strong confidence in herself. Her taking us back to the beginning and guiding us through her experiences and growth up until the bittersweet end of the story creates a rich and solid understanding of Janie’s character.
This novel connects with our class because it explores the life of an African American woman post slavery era and her struggle to achieve her independence. Analyzing how she is treated and why she is potentially treated that way, how she is viewed outside of her own community as well as within are just a few of the possible ways the book could be picked apart. It is very focused on Janie’s personal journey in trying to find herself, which connects to a continuous theme in the class of losing and finding one’s identity.