"Their Eyes Were Watching God"

Paper Summary:

This paper examines how Zora Neal Hurston utilizes the literary techniques of characterization, figurative language, narrative style, and voice to demonstrate the emotional maturity of the character, Janie, in "Their Eyes Were Watching God." In particular, the paper looks at how Hurston develops Janie's character by allowing her to find her voice and how Janie learns that things are not always what they seem. Also discussed is how Janie finds her voice through her relationships and how she learns to accept confrontation as an exercise in building character. The paper concludes that the novel can be seen as a tragedy but we should also look at Janie as a hero in that she does not crack under the pressure of life. Instead, she continues to learn from life.

From the Paper:

"Much of the novel focuses on Janie's evolution as a person. Finding her own voice in the world is critical to her development. Only by learning who she is, can she discover her true nature. Hurston first allows Janie to learn who she is though her vision - or how she sees things. As Nanny tells her, we "can't know nothin' but what we see" (Hurston 14), she is emphasizing that, most of the time, how we perceive things is how we believe them to be. Basically, things are not always what they seem to be and they are certainly not always what we perceive them to be. This is Janie's first lesson in the ways of the world and the beginning of many things she would learn. Because things are generally not as they appear, this is a fantastic way to begin Janie's journey."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Hattenhauer, Darryl. "The Death of Janie Crawford: Tragedy and the American Dream in 'Their Eyes Were Watching God.'" GALE Resource Database. Site Accessed April 05, 2008.
• Hurston, Zora Neale. Their Eyes Were Watching God. New York: Harper Collins Publishers. 1998.

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• 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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