Their Eyes Were Watching God explores
traditional gender roles
as one of its main themes – specifically the way that stereotypical ideas about relationships between men and women empower men and disempower women.
What is the lesson in Their Eyes Were Watching God?
In Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston, the protagonist Janie learns and grows from each of her relationships. Her life lessons are woven into the themes of
love and ‘mislove,' power and domination, and inequality and discrimination
throughout the novel.
Which two statements best describe themes in this novel Their Eyes Were Watching God?
Which two statements best describe themes in this novel?
independence and identity are the best ways to self-fulfillment. Humanity is in a constant struggle against nature.
What themes did Zora Neale Hurston write about?
The stories tell about
faith, love, family, slavery, race and community
. They also include humor. Hurston was well known for her writing. She also became known for her outspoken opinions, her clothing and the great pride she had in herself and her race.
How does the title Their Eyes Were Watching God capture some of the main themes of the book?
—the title implies
that nothing is earned by Janie
in the book: her happiness and sorrow is all God's doing. Her eyes then look to God, wondering what he'll bring into her life next.
What does Janie's hair symbolize?
Janie's hair is a symbol of
her power and unconventional identity
; it represents her strength and individuality in three ways. First, it represents her independence and defiance of petty community standards.
How does Janie define love?
At first, Janie
stereotyped love into something untouchable
. … Love is unfathomable, you can't explain it or define it. You can only experience it for yourself. Although, she keeps the pear tree blossom in her thoughts throughout her journey of finding love in herself and others.
What is the difference between a theme and a theme topic?
What to Keep in Mind About Topic and Theme as You Write. The main thing to remember about topic is that it pertains to the story's “what.” It's driven by facts and specifics, whereas
theme deals with the big picture and overall meaning that reveal why the story matters
.
Which two statements best describe how Their Eyes Were Watching God supports Baldwin's assertions about black English?
Explanation: “Their Eyes Were Watching God” is a novel written by Zora Neale Hurston. The novel is about the main character Janie and her life. In her novel, Hurston supports Baldwin's assertions
about Black English is by using less American English and more of their own language.
What does the porch symbolize in Their Eyes Were Watching God select all that apply?
While porch-sitters in the novel are often misogynistic or nosy gossipers, Janie's place on the porch with Pheoby is
a reminder that she has a place to tell her story
. Pheoby's “hungry listening” depicts the porch as a safe place where Janie can be in control of the details of her own life.
What made Zora Neale Hurston unique?
Zora Hurston was a world-renowned writer and anthropologist. Hurston's
novels, short stories
, and plays often depicted African American life in the South. Her work in anthropology examined black folklore.
What impact did Zora Neale Hurston have?
Zora Neale Hurston became a fixture of New York City's
Harlem Renaissance
, due to her novels like Their Eyes Were Watching God and shorter works like “Sweat.” She was also an outstanding folklorist and anthropologist who recorded cultural history, as illustrated by her Mules and Men.
How old was Zora Neale when she died?
So when she died on Jan. 28, 1960–at age
69
, after suffering a stroke–her neighbors in Fort Pierce, Florida, had to take up a collection for her February 7 funeral. The collection didn't yield enough to pay for a headstone, however, so Hurston was buried in a grave that remained unmarked until 1973.
Who is Janie's true love?
193) Janie finally found real love with her marriage to
Tea Cake
. Although at the beginning of the book Janie was naïve about love, she learned through her three marriages many lessons about love, including the major lesson, that love actually existed. Janie's view of love was of the pear tree.
How does Janie feel after Tea Cake dies?
She doesn't. Tea Cake dies in her arms, still hateful and
biting down on Janie's forearm
. She weeps over his body and silently thanks him for giving her the chance to love. … The entire black community is set against her; they feel like she has betrayed Tea Cake.
What illness does Tea Cake contract?
During a hurricane, Tea Cake is bitten by a rabid dog while attempting to rescue Janie from drowning, and he himself contracts
rabies
. As his illness progresses, he becomes increasingly paranoid and begins to distrust Janie's faithfulness.
