This year marks the 80
th
anniversary of Zora Neale Hurston's best-known novel Their Eyes Were Watching God. … Richard Wright, often considered Hurston's chief literary rival, wrongheadedly
criticized her novel for not explicitly addressing the “race problem
,” and for allegedly choosing sensuality over social commentary.
Why is Their Eyes Were Watching God banned?
1997 – Virginia –
Challenged for sexual explicitness
, but retained on the Stonewall Jackson High School's academically advanced reading list in Brentsville. A parent objected to the novel's language and sexual explicitness.
What is the conflict in Their Eyes Were Watching God?
Major conflict During her quest for spiritual fulfillment,
Janie clashes with the values that others impose upon her
. Climax The confrontation between Janie and the insane Tea Cake in Chapter 19 marks the moment at which Janie asserts herself in the face of the most difficult obstacle she has had to face.
Why did Richard Wright Criticize Their Eyes Were Watching God?
Their Eyes Were Watching God.
Richard Wright's main criticism of Their Eyes was that
the novel perpetrates a stereotypical image of “quaint” Blacks, thus pandering to the tastes of a white audience
.
What are some of the criticisms Logan says about Janie?
He desires a wife who is hardworking
. Logan lacks respect for Janie, and he treats her almost like a slave, requiring her to complete mundane tasks. Logan believes Janie has been spoiled both by her grandmother and by him.
Does Janie get rabies?
Janie does not get rabies
, there is no evidence of that in the story. She returns home because she did not want to remain in the Everglades without him.
What role does God play in Their Eyes Were Watching God?
God plays a profound role in
Janie's
journey in Their Eyes Were Watching God. As she endures unbelievable challenges, Janie learns that God's power is at once a frightening and beautiful force. She also learns the importance of having a direct, personal relationship with God that is free from anyone else's control.
Why does Janie marry Logan?
Janie hopes that her marriage to Logan Killicks
will bring her love and happiness
. As she says to her grandmother, “Ah wants to want him sometimes.” Janie's and Nanny's views of marriage clearly contrast with one another. Nanny wishes Janie a comfortable, secure life, unlike what she had.
What is the time period of Their Eyes Were Watching God?
Their Eyes Were Watching God is primarily set in
rural Florida in the early 20th century
, especially in Eatonville. Incorporated in 1887, the real community of Eatonville was one of the first self-governing Black communities in the United States, providing safety and opportunity for its Black residents.
How does Janie interact with others?
Janie views
fulfilling relationships as reciprocal and based on mutual respect
, as demonstrated in her relationship with Tea Cake, which elevates Janie into an equality noticeably absent from her marriages to Logan and Jody.
What did Janie learn from her marriages?
She learned from her marriage to Logan Killicks
that she could not learn to love someone
. After her marriage to Jody Starks, Janie realized that equality is important within a marriage. When Janie married Tea Cake, she realized true love could be found.
Who was the audience for Their Eyes Were Watching God?
Hurston's novel was intended to
a black audience
. The time period and language was significant to a black audience when the novel was written (The Harlem Renaissance). One very important and main theme of this novel is love. From the very beginning of the book, Janie strives to find true love in her life.
Was Their Eyes Were Watching God successful?
Their Eyes Were Watching had
little success during
Hurston's lifetime, selling fewer than 5,000 copies before going out of print in the late 60s, about 30 years after its initial release.
How did Joe treat Janie?
How does Joe Starks treat Janie? Joe Starks treats Janie well in some ways:
He builds her a big house and gives her nice clothes
, and she gets the respect due to the wife of the mayor. However, Joe is also very domineering and jealous. He makes Janie cover her hair so other men can't see it.
Why is Janie so unhappy with Logan?
When Janie threatens to leave him,
Logan feels genuine fear
…but because such fear is incited by a woman, he doesn't have the vocabulary with which to respond. … As a result, Janie feels that he's insensitive and doesn't value her, so she leaves Logan to elope with Joe Starks.
How does Janie feel about her marriage to Joe?
Soon after they are married he feels Janie doesn't do enough work around the house and thinks she is
spoiled
. He is unloving, and Janie quickly realizes that he is not the fulfillment of her dream under the pear tree. He treats Janie like a possession, like his mule. Janie eventually leaves Logan for Joe Starks.
