"Their Eyes Were Watching God" and Spiritual Development

Paper Summary:

The first fifteen chapters of "Their Eyes Were Watching God" follow Janie's life from childhood, through her marriage to Tea Cake and their subsequent emigration to the Everglades. This paper examines how, during these years, Janie undergoes a number of changes and how the evolution of her character parallels and depends on the external occurrences of her life.

From the Paper:

"Life with Joe is not what Janie expected. Although he is more successful than she had ever expected, she chafes at his restrictions. Joe's controlling nature toward Janie is revealed when she is asked to speak at his inauguration. Joe prevents this by "taking the floor himself," stating, "mah wife don't know nothin' 'bout no speech-makin'. ... She's uh woman and her place is in de home" (p. 51). Just as Joe Starks "cows the town" (p. 55), forcing them to "bow down to him" (p. 59), he dominates his wife. Joe will not allow her to wear her hair long, instead making "her keep her head tied up lak some ole 'oman" so that none of the other men "might touch it round dat store" (p. 59). He keeps her out of the lively conversations and checkers matches held on their store's front porch (p. 82)."

More papers on "Their Eyes Were Watching God" and Spiritual Development:

• Analytical Essay # 61896 : "Their Eyes Were Watching God" and Voices of Characters"
• Book Review # 131039 : "Their Eyes Were Watching God" and Mis-Treatment"
• Analytical Essay # 28559 : "Their Eyes Were Watching God" and Metaphors"

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