Their Eyes Were Watching God

By Zora Neale Hurston

Zora Neale Hurston’s “Their Eyes Were Watching God” is a timeless novel that explores themes of love, identity, and independence through the eyes of its protagonist, Janie Crawford. Through her use of dialect, metaphor, and rich imagery, Hurston creates a vivid and immersive portrayal of life in the rural South in the early 20th century. The novel is a powerful example of the use of literary devices to create a sense of time, place, and character, and continues to inspire readers today.

Themes 📚

1. Identity and self-discovery – The novel explores the theme of identity and self-discovery through the journey of its protagonist, Janie Crawford. Hurston examines the ways in which individuals must navigate societal expectations and their own desires to find their true selves.
2. Love and relationships – The novel explores the theme of love and relationships through Janie’s romantic relationships with different men. Hurston examines the complexities of love and the different forms it can take, as well as the ways in which societal expectations and power dynamics can impact relationships.
3. Gender and power – The novel explores the theme of gender and power through its portrayal of life in the rural South. Hurston examines the ways in which gender roles and power dynamics shape individual lives and the broader community.
4. Community and belonging – The novel explores the theme of community and belonging through its portrayal of the town of Eatonville. Hurston examines the importance of community in individual lives and the ways in which individuals must balance their own desires with the needs of the community.
5. Nature and spirituality – The novel explores the theme of nature and spirituality through its use of metaphor and symbolism. Hurston examines the ways in which individuals can find meaning and connection through their relationship with nature and the divine.

Use of Literary Devices ✍🏽

1. Dialect – Hurston uses dialect to create a sense of place and to immerse the reader in the culture and language of the rural South.
2. Metaphor – Metaphor is used to create vivid and evocative descriptions of people and places, such as when Janie compares her grandmother’s hair to a “great tree in leaf.”
3. Symbolism – Symbolism is used throughout the novel to represent abstract concepts, such as the horizon representing Janie’s dreams and aspirations.
4. Flashback – Flashback is used to provide context and background information, such as when Janie tells her story to her friend Pheoby.
5. Imagery – The author uses vivid imagery to create a sense of place and atmosphere, such as when she describes the sounds and smells of the town of Eatonville.
6. Foreshadowing – Foreshadowing is used to create tension and anticipation, such as when Janie has a premonition of a hurricane before it hits.
7. Irony – Irony is used to create a sense of contrast and subvert reader expectations, such as when Janie’s second husband, Joe, who claims to be protecting the community, becomes increasingly tyrannical.
8. Allusion – The author uses allusion to reference other works of literature and history, such as when Janie compares her experiences to those of the biblical character Eve.
9. Personification – Personification is used to give human qualities to non-human objects, such as when the storm is described as a “big voice shouting.”
10. Foreshortening – Foreshortening is used to alter the perspective of a scene, creating a distorted or compressed view of objects and characters in the foreground and background.

Examples of Literary Devices 📋

1. Symbolism

Example	Explanation
The pear tree	The pear tree, under which Janie experiences her sexual awakening, symbolizes her idealized views of nature, love, and relationships.
Janie’s hair	Janie’s long, straight hair is a symbol of her individuality, attractiveness, and the tension she faces as a black woman in a racially stratified society.
The horizon	The horizon symbolizes Janie’s lifelong quest for freedom, fulfillment, and self-discovery.

2. Foreshadowing

Example	Explanation
Janie’s grandmother’s warnings	Nanny’s warnings about the hardships of being a black woman in their society foreshadow Janie’s struggles in her marriages.
The yellow mule	The yellow mule owned by Matt Bonner, which Jody buys only to let it die, foreshadows Jody’s own decline and death.
The hurricane	The hurricane foreshadows the tragic end of Tea Cake.

3. Irony

Example	Explanation
Janie’s marriages	Janie’s search for love leads her into marriages that ironically suppress her individuality and freedom.
The use of the mule	The mule, typically a symbol of oppression and burden, is ironically freed by Joe, who himself oppresses Janie.
Jody’s death	Jody, who prides himself on his status and power, ironically dies a painful and undignified death.

4. Imagery

Example	Explanation
The pear tree	The image of the pear tree in bloom offers vivid imagery that conveys Janie’s awakening sexuality and her yearning for a fulfilling life.
The hurricane	The description of the hurricane provides powerful imagery, symbolizing the chaotic and destructive forces that disrupt Janie and Tea Cake’s life.
The Everglades (the muck)	The lush, wild beauty of the Everglades, where Janie and Tea Cake make their home, is depicted with rich, vivid imagery.

FAQs 💭