Their Eyes Were Watching God

Love is an element that constantly arises in pieces of literature. It often represents more than the deep affections of a two people, but a greater theme in life. Select a novel or play of literary merit in which the author uses love to describe a greater meaning. Then write a well-organized essay in which you describe the symbol and explain its relevance to the work as a whole.


Hurston’s novel Their Eyes Were Watching God reveals the racism held in the Deep South. The novel utilizes a black woman’s voyage through life and love to illustrate the blacks’ drive to be independent of white society and racism despite their suppression.

Janie’s character represents the general evolution of black sentiments for their independence. Her journey through love mirrors her race’s journey toward its own independence respectability. Janie begins the novel marrying a man not for love but instead to appease her grandmother. Her character is naïve of any desire for independence, and thus is very obedient despite the contradiction to her own feelings. This adherence to other’s demands is entirely what characterized the black race during slavery and even the times following the abolition of slavery. All were obedient by nature because they were taught to be nothing less than obedient. All were chained by duty and tradition, just as Janie was chained by her obligation to a loveless arranged marriage.

After some time, Janie’s character takes a first step toward independence. She goes on to stray away from strict obedience by running off with Joe Starks, a man she thought she loved. This restlessness is similar both in nature and duration to the restlessness blacks slowly began to feel about their own suppression in society. However, this love Janie feels does not last too long when she finds Joe Starks will not allow her to be anyone other than a mayor’s wife. Thus, as she once again plays the obedient wife her individuality is locked away inside her. She remains a slave to her husband’s oppression despite her awareness that she wants change. There are brief moments when Janie breaks free from her obedience, illustrating her growing awareness of the void of personal freedom and individuality. Yet, she is quickly reprimanded, set in her place, and things remain the as they were before. Like Janie, blacks began to be aware of their pitiful situation yet they too remained suppressed. They put off their yearns for freedom and allowed their practical slavery to continue.

It is not until later that they completely realize entire independence, just as it takes twenty years for Janie to finally discover and embrace her own independence. Following her second husband’s death Janie finally becomes free from all obligation and duty, and she revels in her victory, defeating all of her previous oppressions. It is then that she finds true love and happiness with Tea Cake and lives for nothing but that love that she is finally free. Blacks waited just as long to discover their true worth as they overcame oppressions set in front of them through racism, prejudices, and economic oppression. However, they have found it and revel in their victory as well, progressing faster than ever to become equals in an unequal nation.

The novel Their Eyes were Watching God Is more than the recounting of a black woman’s life long hardships and trials through love. It also tells the journey of a young girl’s independence and in turn, the journey and progression of African America independence and individuality in an oppressive world.


I will be liberal enough with my scoring to give myself a six on this essay.