Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston: Summary
McKenna McGowan
Per.5
Summary
The book “Their Eyes Were Watching God” by Zora Neale Hurston reflects gender issues, class status issues and relationship issues that existed in the African American community in early 1900s. The story revolves around Janie Crawford, an African American woman with a little bit of mixed ancestry. Abandoned by her mother, she is raised by her grandma who was a slave. Grandma or Nanny’s opinion about slavery was, "Honey, de white man is de ruler of everything as fur as Ah been able tuh find out” (14). Janie is searching for true love all her life. Janie is forced to marry an older guy at a young age because her grandma wanted security and shelter for Janie. Janie doesn't enjoy the marriage as she never felt loved like the way she thought what a marriage would feel like. The author says “She knew how marriage did not make love" (25).
She met a charming person, Jody, who swept her away with promises and love. A few years into the marriage with Jody, Janie realized that he is just a power hungry person and wanted her to act like a mayor’s wife and not being herself. She did not like the fact that she was missing out on a lot of things mainly, love. They split apart bitterly and Jody dies of an illness. Janie had wealth and power at that point. Janie then comes across Tea Cup, someone who is 12 years younger than her and is easily attracted to him. She thought “He could be a bee to a blossom – a pear tree blossom in the spring” (104). With tea cup, she ends up figuring out what actual love is. Tea Cup introduces her to a life filled with fun and normal human emotions. The author writes “Janie learned what it felt like to be jealous” (136). Through her life, Janie slowly understands that one’s independence is more important than anything else. “Dats de way it looks. Still and all, she’s her own woman” (111). She also gets a taste of real love in her third attempt. Throughout the book, the author emphasizes on the opportunity women have
Per.5
Summary
The book “Their Eyes Were Watching God” by Zora Neale Hurston reflects gender issues, class status issues and relationship issues that existed in the African American community in early 1900s. The story revolves around Janie Crawford, an African American woman with a little bit of mixed ancestry. Abandoned by her mother, she is raised by her grandma who was a slave. Grandma or Nanny’s opinion about slavery was, "Honey, de white man is de ruler of everything as fur as Ah been able tuh find out” (14). Janie is searching for true love all her life. Janie is forced to marry an older guy at a young age because her grandma wanted security and shelter for Janie. Janie doesn't enjoy the marriage as she never felt loved like the way she thought what a marriage would feel like. The author says “She knew how marriage did not make love" (25).
She met a charming person, Jody, who swept her away with promises and love. A few years into the marriage with Jody, Janie realized that he is just a power hungry person and wanted her to act like a mayor’s wife and not being herself. She did not like the fact that she was missing out on a lot of things mainly, love. They split apart bitterly and Jody dies of an illness. Janie had wealth and power at that point. Janie then comes across Tea Cup, someone who is 12 years younger than her and is easily attracted to him. She thought “He could be a bee to a blossom – a pear tree blossom in the spring” (104). With tea cup, she ends up figuring out what actual love is. Tea Cup introduces her to a life filled with fun and normal human emotions. The author writes “Janie learned what it felt like to be jealous” (136). Through her life, Janie slowly understands that one’s independence is more important than anything else. “Dats de way it looks. Still and all, she’s her own woman” (111). She also gets a taste of real love in her third attempt. Throughout the book, the author emphasizes on the opportunity women have