"Their Eyes Were Watching God"

Paper Summary:

The article discusses Janie's uses of language and the development of her authentic voice in Zora Neale Hurston's, "Their Eyes Were Watching God". The paper argues the point of view that by the end of the novel, Janie manages to find her voice. The paper compares this to the point of view of Mary Helen Washington in an article written by her on the subject.

From the Paper:

" As Janie and Tea Cake spend time talking together, sharing activities together, and simply enjoying one another's company, Janie sees that Tea Cake, a younger man with no material wealth, knows, accepts, and values her as no one else has ever done. Ironically, Tea Cake is the one man Janie marries who cannot materially "protect", her; in fact, it is Janie who provides for him. But by now, Janie knows that, contrary to what Nanny always suggested to her, who a man is, is more important than what he has. Only after Janie has loved and been loved by Tea Cake, despite Tea Cake's early death, does Janie begin to free herself, and indeed feel eager, to tell her friend Pheoby all that has happened since they last spoke. Tea Cake's love, acceptance, and understanding free Janie to reveal her selfhood, through unrestrained language, and with a mature, confident, authentic voice."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Hurston, Zora Neale. Their Eyes Were Watching God. Urbana and Chicago: University of Illinois Press, 1978.

More papers on "Their Eyes Were Watching God":

• Book Review # 32428 : " "Their Eyes Were Watching God"
• Book Review # 90102 : "'Their Eyes Were Watching God' "
• Analytical Essay # 61896 : "Their Eyes Were Watching God" and Voices of Characters"
• Analytical Essay # 61210 : "Their Eyes Were Watching God" and Spiritual Development"

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