their eyes were watching god

             Zora Neale Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God, published in 1937, was a novel so ahead of its time that it was hardly recognized until nearly 40 years later. The story follows the life of Janie Crawford, a black woman living in Florida in the early 1900's. The book centers on Janie's desire and search for self-establishment, but also deals with the problems of racism, materialism, death, and the treatment of women, among others.
             Throughout the forty years of her life documented in the book, Janie learns to live according to her own values and not be defined by others. Born an only child and abandoned by her mother, Janie is raised by her grandmother, an ex-slave who makes many sacrifices to ensure that Janie will have a better life than she did. She tells Janie, "De nigger woman is de mule uh de world so fur as Ah can see. Ah been prayin' fuh it tuh be different wid you." Wanting security for her granddaughter, she marries her to Logan Killicks, a farmer who continually taunts Janie and treats her as a possession. Miserable in this marriage, Janie meets a rich, self-confident man named Joe Starks and runs off with him to Eatonville, where Starks quickly becomes the mayor of the town. Although she is now relatively wealthy and is the mayor's wife, Janie is stuck in the same situation as she was in her last marriage. She is still being treated as a possession and is forced to follow her husband's commands. However, Starks eventually dies of an illness, leaving Janie relieved and aware that her next relationship must be based on love.
             Janie finds the love of her life when she meets Vergible Woods, who goes by the nickname Tea Cake. He is a musician, a gambler, and a hard worker. He is neither wealthy nor powerful, but he knows how to enjoy life and live in harmony with others. The fact that he is twelve years younger than Janie does not stop her from running off with him -- she is learning to live for herself and no...

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their eyes were watching god. (1969, December 31). In MegaEssays.com. Retrieved 12:02, March 29, 2024, from https://www.megaessays.com/viewpaper/30618.html