What is the symbolism of the pear tree and how does it relate to Janie's Narrative
             In Their Eytes Were Watching God, Zora Neale Hurston uses recurring symbols to help show Janie's journey of self-exploration and search for meaning. By far the strongest symbol is the pear tree. The pear tree is the embodiment of what Janie seeks through out the novel, a marriage in which both parties give and take, and benefit from, as do the bees and the blossoms. But Janie's quest is plagued by Nanny's perception of men, which also alters her perception of herself.
             Hurston portrays the conflict between the two ideas of marriage well, by changing in mid page from the free, inquisitive Janie under the pear tree, to Nanny's cynical dialogue about how men have exploited her and Janie's mother. Janie sees Johnny Taylor as "a glorious being coming up the road" (11), where as Nanny characterizes Johnny as a "trashy nigger, usin' yo' body to wipe his foots on" (12).
             The pear tree and the bees symbolize to Janie what love and marriage are supposed to be, a self-rewarding relationship. Where as Nanny sees marriage as a tool to be used in protecting Janie from the evils of men. Hurston points this out in Nanny's reasoning behind why she thinks Logan Killicks is best for Janie, " ' 'Tain't Logan Killicks Ah wants you to have, baby, it's protection' " (14). Nanny then goes on to tell her life story of being used by men, which further corrupts Janie's quest for a bee and blossom relationship. After Nanny's historical narrative, Janie agrees to marry Logan Killicks. Janie's lack of experience requires her to ask others about marriage and love, and "made a sort of comfort for herself" (20) by believing that she would find love in her marriage with Logan Killicks.
             Her marriage to Logan starts to turn
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