A Response of Praise for Hurston
Zora Neale Hurston wrote “Their Eyes Were Watching God” with intention. The story revolves around Janie’s life, touching on her everyday battles, losses, and victories. The way a reader responds to this story defines its success as a novel. A positive response reflects very well on Hurston’s writing; As a reader, I was constantly intrigued by the happenings in Janie’s life. The story starts by introducing Janie’s worldview, which had been skewed by the negative experiences of her grandmother. Readers are then guided through her many relationships and hardships with the dialogue of her and the people she encounters.
The main character is Janie, who constantly desires to please those around her. Janie runs from her first marriage, arranged with a middle-aged farmer, she goes away with Joe Starks, a different but determined man. They move to Eatonville, an all African American township, and Jody becomes mayor and Janie begins work in the store. Readers love Jody because of his success, but Janie is dismayed by his domineering ways. Jody eventually passes away; Janie quickly moves on with Tea Cake, a very respectful man who’s flaw seems to be gambling, despite the gossip around town. The story continues with their life and work together on a Florida plantation. The climax approaches quickly in the form of a violent hurricane, that will test their relationship. Janie’s relationship with Tea Cake ends when he tries to kill her, but instead is outsmarted and killed by Janie. She is immediately put on trial, and proved innocent. The novel ends when a content Janie moves back to Eatonville.
The theme of the novel is presented as Janie’s struggle deciding between love and independence. This theme is explored during the conflicts of her many relationships. Janie’s first marriage was conflicted because she did not love him, she was forced into marriage by her grandmother when her only desire was to be independent and explore relationships on her own. Janie’s second marriage started out very well; but when Jody began to control her, for example making her tie up her hair in public, she felt as if she could not possess any independence. As Jody became more successful he lost more and more love for Janie, until his death. Yet again, Janie realized that a choice must be made between love and independence. Janie thought her third marriage to Tea Cake would be different, at first she was right. The tables turned quickly when Tea Cake’s jealousy drove him to hit Janie, beginning to steal her freedom. The loss of independence lasted until Janie killed Tea Cake in self defense. Hurston stays true with her theme throughout the novel: a choice must be made between love and independence.
Hurston uses many symbols to aid her in telling the story; Janie’s hair, a pear tree, and a donkey.First, Janie’s hair symbolizes her beauty and power. Her hair is described as straight and beautiful, many women are jealous. Janie’s hair shows her power because during that time wearing your hair down was not approved of, her defiance is powerful. Second, the pear tree symbolizes the harmony that Janie desires in her life. The pear tree is perfect nature and youth to Janie, she acts on her passionate thoughts and kisses a boy from town, Johnny Taylor. Janie spends the entire novel chasing after harmony so that she can be happy in her relationships. Lastly, the donkey symbolizes slavery. The donkey of Matt Bonner is described as over worked and under fed, other men make fun of the poor treatment of the animal, much like a slave. When the mule runs away it is like a slave trying to escape from its master. When Jody buys the mule to save it, it is much like President Lincoln freeing the slaves. The symbols used by Hurston improve the story greatly and push the reader to think about the meaning of her writing.I give “Their Eyes Were Watching God” four stars; for an exciting story line, a great theme, and a strong use of symbolism. The reader is able to connect with Janie and loosely explore her experiences. Hurston’s writing is beautiful and dynamic, she writes about her own people which keeps the novel real and close to the heart.
