"Their Eyes Were Watching God" and Metaphors

Paper Summary:

This paper examines how in Zora Neale Hurston's "Their Eyes Were Watching God, the author uses metaphors to show the underlying strengths and weaknesses of the main character, as well as some of the authors perceptions of how black women have traditionally been treated by men. It analyzes the four main metaphors used throughout the novel, the pear tree, the mules, Janie's hair and the title of the book itself. It looks at how all of these metaphors have great significance throughout the book and how they all have a much deeper meaning when examined in light of the main character, Janie.

From the Paper:

"The first metaphor, that of the pear tree, comes from a passage in the book where Janie is lying underneath a pear tree and watching a bee land in one of the flowers. She sees it as a marriage between the bee and the flower, as well as simply a lovely sight to watch. Janie believes that this marriage between the flower on the pear tree and the bee that lands in it is symbolic of the intensity and sensuality between lovers. Because of this, Janie comments in the book that she would like to be a tree, any tree, that is in bloom. She realizes at this point what is missing from her life and from her marriages. She comments that she believed she was lying under that pear tree and witnessing the courtship between the flower and the bee in order to be party to a revelation (Bush, 1027)."

More papers on "Their Eyes Were Watching God" and Metaphors:

• Book Review # 102816 : "Their Eyes Were Watching God"
• Analytical Essay # 53423 : "Their Eyes Were Watching God"
• Analytical Essay # 24161 : "Zora Neale Hurston"

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