Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale
Hurston
Summary: A
coming of age story, Their Eyes Were Watching God is a
retelling of the life of Janie Crawford in her own words. Although she is forty
by the time her story ends, she continues to “come of age” past her teenage
years. It first begins as she witnesses the pear tree, but stops in its track
as Jody, her second husband, suppresses her beyond her mental capacity.
However, Janie overcomes this as she finds her life: before her second
husband’s death, she has reclaimed her own mind. Her third husband, Tea
Cake, shows her all there is to enjoy in life. This story discusses a life of
poverty and of riches. It is a story of overcoming and proves you don’t need a
“happy ending” to have a happy ending.
Problems: Sex is
mentioned in this novel, but it is never explicit about it. I don't expect it
to be a problem. If it is, I will point out that it happens within the
marriages, and is therefore a normal part of life that these almost-graduated
seniors can no longer be shielded from.
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| Zora Neale Hurston |
Purpose and Educational
Significance: As a student, this was one of my favorite reads. I
would hope that my students would similarly enjoy this story. It is also a
great lead in to discuss the Harlem Renaissance, which is one of the first
times in American history that African Americans were praised for their
artistic endeavors.
This story exemplifies the strength of women and explores the idea of love. Can
you be innocent and love? This also discusses the strength of American
Americans. Janie’s grandmother overcame all: slavery, racism, and the
disappearance and death of a daughter, to raise Janie. Did she sufficiently
place her morals in Janie? Was Janie right to leave Killicks? With beautiful
language, this story places many moral quandaries in the minds of readers. I
believe students need a safe place to discuss these quandaries and to sort them
out.
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