Their Eyes Were Watching God

Definition

Their Eyes Were Watching God is a novel by Zora Neale Hurston, published in 1937, which explores the life and self-discovery of Janie Crawford, an African American woman in the early 20th century. The story highlights themes of race, gender, and empowerment through Janie's journey toward finding her voice and identity in a society marked by oppression. Hurston's work is celebrated for its rich use of dialect and its deep cultural insights into African American life, making it a significant piece of literature in the canon of African American arts and letters.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The novel is set in Eatonville, Florida, one of the first all-black towns in the United States, providing a unique backdrop for Janie's experiences.
2. Janie's journey is marked by three significant relationships with men who shape her understanding of love and independence.
3. The title reflects the theme of spiritual awareness and personal growth, emphasizing the importance of listening to one's inner self.
4. Hurston uses rich dialect and vivid imagery to capture the voice and culture of African American communities in the South.
5. Their Eyes Were Watching God faced initial criticism upon release but has since been recognized as a classic of American literature, often studied for its themes of race, gender, and self-actualization.

Review Questions

• How does Zora Neale Hurston use dialect to enhance the storytelling in Their Eyes Were Watching God?
  • Hurston employs dialect throughout the novel to authentically represent the speech patterns and cultural nuances of her characters. This use of vernacular not only gives a voice to Janie and other characters but also immerses readers in the Southern African American experience. The dialect adds depth to character interactions and makes Janie's journey feel more relatable and grounded in her community.
• In what ways do Janie's relationships with her three husbands reflect broader societal issues regarding race and gender?
  • Janie's relationships with Logan Killicks, Joe Starks, and Tea Cake reveal how societal expectations around race and gender shape individual identities. Each husband represents different aspects of control and liberation, from Logan's practical approach to love that stifles Janie's spirit to Joe's domineering behavior that restricts her voice. Tea Cake's partnership offers Janie true companionship and equality, highlighting the struggle for autonomy within oppressive societal norms.
• Critically analyze how Their Eyes Were Watching God contributes to the discourse on feminism and identity within African American literature.
  • Their Eyes Were Watching God stands as a foundational text in feminist literature by illustrating Janie's quest for self-discovery amidst patriarchal constraints. The novel challenges traditional gender roles by portraying Janie's evolution from voicelessness to empowerment, emphasizing her right to seek happiness on her terms. This personal journey resonates with broader themes in African American literature by addressing intersections of race and gender while advocating for women's voices within both cultural and literary contexts.

Related terms

Zora Neale Hurston:

An influential African American author and anthropologist known for her contributions to literature during the Harlem Renaissance, particularly through her exploration of African American culture.

Harlem Renaissance:

A cultural movement in the 1920s and 1930s that celebrated African American artistic expression, producing notable figures in literature, music, and visual arts.

Folklore: The traditional beliefs, customs, stories, songs, and practices of a culture that are passed down orally, often featuring prominently in the works of African American writers like Hurston.