Review of Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston

**Review of Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston**

Their Eyes Were Watching God (1937) by Zora Neale Hurston is a landmark in African American literature and a profound exploration of identity, love, independence, and the search for self-fulfillment. The novel follows the life of Janey Crawford, a woman who embarks on a journey of self-discovery through three marriages and a series of transformative experiences. Set in the early 20th century in the South, Hurston’s novel examines the complexity of gender roles, race, and class in the African American community, while also touching on universal themes of human resilience, empowerment, and the meaning of love. Through her use of rich, symbolic language and vivid storytelling, Hurston crafts a narrative that is as deeply personal as it is socially significant.

Themes in Their Eyes Were Watching God

Self-Discovery and Empowerment:
The central theme of Their Eyes Were Watching God is Janey’s journey of self-discovery and empowerment. From the beginning of the novel, Janey struggles to find her voice and her sense of self in a world that often sees her as a mere extension of the men in her life. Through her marriages and relationships, Janey grows from a young girl who seeks love and approval to a mature woman who understands the importance of personal freedom and self-assertion. Hurston uses Janey’s transformation to explore the idea that true freedom comes from within, and it is only by embracing her own identity and desires that Janey is able to find peace and satisfaction in her life.
Love and Relationships:
Love is a central theme in the novel, particularly how it shapes and defines Janey’s life. Through her three marriages—first to Logan Killicks, then to Joe Starks, and finally to Tea Cake—Janey experiences love in many forms. Her first two marriages are marked by a sense of constraint and oppression, where she feels subjugated by her partners’ expectations. However, it is her relationship with Tea Cake that allows her to experience love as a mutual, freeing force, where both partners have the space to be their authentic selves. Hurston contrasts romantic love with societal expectations to show that love, when it is true and liberating, is the foundation for personal growth and happiness.
Gender Roles and Feminism:
Hurston’s novel critiques the gender roles imposed on women, especially Black women, in early 20th-century America. Janey’s journey reflects her struggle against these traditional expectations, and her eventual realization of her self-worth. The societal pressure on women to be submissive, obedient, and focused on domestic roles is challenged throughout the novel, especially as Janey grows into her own autonomy. Through Janey’s relationships with the men in her life, Hurston shows how gender roles are often used as a means of control and oppression, and how women like Janey must overcome these constraints to find freedom and personal fulfillment.
Race and Identity:
Their Eyes Were Watching God also examines issues of race and the complexities of racial identity. Set in a post-slavery era, the novel delves into the lives of African Americans and how they navigate the societal structures that seek to define them. Janey’s experiences reflect the nuances of living as a Black woman in a racially divided society, where she must not only confront the constraints imposed by patriarchal norms but also deal with the expectations and limitations imposed by race. While the novel primarily focuses on Janey’s personal growth, it is also deeply concerned with how race impacts her journey to self-discovery and independence.
Community and Belonging:
The theme of community and the desire for belonging runs throughout the novel. Janey’s relationships with others—whether with her grandmother, her husbands, or the people in Eatonville and the Everglades—are shaped by her need for connection and understanding. However, Janey’s search for self-fulfillment often places her at odds with the expectations of her community. In her quest for independence and freedom, she learns that true belonging comes not from conforming to others’ expectations, but from embracing her own identity and being true to herself. The novel suggests that belonging is about finding a place where one can express their authentic self without fear of judgment.

Character Roles in Their Eyes Were Watching God

Janey Crawford:
Janey Crawford is the protagonist of the novel and the focal point of Hurston’s exploration of self-discovery and personal growth. Her journey from a young girl looking for love and approval to a confident woman who understands her own desires and worth forms the backbone of the narrative. Janey’s character represents resilience and empowerment, as she defies societal and gender expectations to create a life that reflects her own values. Throughout her three marriages, Janey learns the value of independence, freedom, and authenticity, making her one of literature’s most enduring representations of female empowerment.
Logan Killicks:
Logan Killicks is Janey’s first husband, a prosperous farmer who represents the traditional, pragmatic approach to marriage. While he is kind and hardworking, his marriage to Janey is one of practicality rather than love. Logan embodies the theme of conventionality, as he views Janey as a means of fulfilling his own domestic needs, rather than as a partner to share emotional intimacy and affection. His role in the novel highlights the limitations of traditional gender roles and expectations, particularly in the context of marriage.
Joe Starks:
Joe Starks, Janey’s second husband, is a charismatic and ambitious man who becomes the mayor of Eatonville. While initially, Janey is drawn to his confidence and leadership, their marriage becomes increasingly oppressive as Joe’s desire for control and power suffocates Janey’s independence. Joe represents the theme of patriarchy and oppression in relationships, as his success and ego ultimately isolate Janey and stifle her self-expression. However, his character also serves to highlight Janey’s evolution, as she comes to recognize that her desires for autonomy and love cannot be fulfilled in a relationship where she is treated as inferior.
Tea Cake (Vergible Woods):
Tea Cake, Janey’s third and final husband, is a free-spirited, loving man who allows Janey to experience love in its truest and most liberating form. Tea Cake’s love for Janey is mutual, and he treats her as an equal, encouraging her to explore her freedom, creativity, and desires. Through their relationship, Janey experiences the joys of true companionship and romantic fulfillment. Tea Cake represents the idea of mutual love, in which both partners are allowed to grow and thrive together. He is a symbol of the emotional and spiritual freedom that Janey has been searching for throughout her life.
Nanny Crawford:
Nanny Crawford, Janey’s grandmother, plays a pivotal role in shaping Janey’s early understanding of love, marriage, and survival. Nanny, who endured the trauma of enslavement and poverty, is focused on ensuring Janey’s security and protection, and she encourages Janey to marry Logan Killicks for financial stability rather than love. While Nanny’s motives are rooted in her own experiences of hardship, her actions illustrate the theme of generational trauma and the pressures that older generations place on the younger to conform to societal expectations, particularly regarding marriage and gender roles.

Linguistic Tools in Their Eyes Were Watching God

Dialect and Language:
One of the most notable aspects of Hurston’s writing in Their Eyes Were Watching God is her use of dialect. The novel is written in the vernacular of African American speech, particularly in the Southern dialect of the time. This choice not only adds authenticity to the characters’ voices but also highlights the cultural richness of African American life and the importance of oral tradition. The use of dialect allows Hurston to convey the emotional depth and resilience of her characters, particularly in Janey’s inner monologue and the dialogues between Janey and other characters. The language also reflects the identity and history of the African American community, imbuing the novel with a sense of community and cultural pride.
Symbolism:
Hurston employs rich symbolism throughout the novel to explore the themes of freedom and self-discovery. The horizon, for instance, symbolizes Janey’s desire for freedom and self-realization. Throughout the novel, Janey looks toward the horizon, both literally and metaphorically, as a symbol of the possibilities and opportunities available to her. Similarly, the pear tree represents sexual awakening and idealized love, capturing Janey’s early vision of what love could be. These symbols, along with others like the bee and the flower, create a rich allegorical landscape that mirrors Janey’s emotional and spiritual journey.
Narrative Structure and Use of Flashback:
The novel is structured as a frame narrative, with Janey’s story being told through a series of flashbacks as she recounts her life to her friend, Pheoby. This structure allows Hurston to blend past and present and create a sense of reflection and self-examination. Through this device, readers are able to witness Janey’s growth and development as she narrates her emotional evolution. The use of flashbacks also allows Hurston to explore time and memory, as Janey looks back on her relationships and experiences with a sense of wisdom and acceptance.
Poetic and Imagistic Prose:
Hurston’s prose is lyrical and poetic, often resembling stream-of-consciousness or oral storytelling. The novel is filled with vivid imagery, such as descriptions of nature, seasons, and physical landscapes, that convey the emotional depth of Janey’s journey. Hurston’s writing also incorporates folk elements, drawing on the African American oral tradition to craft a voice that is both personal and universal. This rich, sensory language immerses readers in the world of the novel, emphasizing the emotional weight of Janey’s experiences and her connection to the world around her.

Conclusion

Their Eyes Were Watching God is a masterful exploration of self-discovery, love, and the search for independence. Zora Neale Hurston’s rich prose, vibrant characters, and insightful social commentary create a timeless story about gender, race, and identity. Through Janey’s journey from subjugation to empowerment, Hurston illuminates the complexities of women’s lives, particularly the challenges faced by African American women in the early 20th century. The novel’s themes of freedom, love, and personal growth resonate deeply, making it a foundational text in both African American literature and feminist discourse. Hurston’s exploration of the human spirit and the power of love in overcoming adversity ensures that Their Eyes Were Watching God remains a powerful and relevant work