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The Importance Of The American Dream In Their Eyes Were Watching God

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Throughout the novel “Their Eyes Were Watching God” by Zora Neale Hurston, we follow the life of Janie Crawford, and her constant struggle to chase her dreams of freedom and true love. These two elements progresses her achievement of the American Dream. Janie is a descendant from a family of slaves, and two generations of raped women, and this gave Janie the goal of finding out what love and freedom is. Ultimately, these elements and her goal is to show that the American dream is the "truth" of the American spirit, and that freedom and love is what keeps many Americans going every day. Throughout history, migrants with nothing came to America to become successful, and begin new lives, just as Janie earns her freedom and sense of true love by …show more content…
Nanny, and her daughter Leafy, also Janie’s mother, have been both raped. Nanny saw the kiss as a sign that Janie too will get raped. She claims that Janie is now a grown woman and must be married right away to avoid getting raped. Janie then learns that Nanny arranged a marriage between her and Logan Killicks. Janie is displeased and believes Logan is ugly and old, and that she’ll never fall in love with him. Nanny refuses to change her opinion, and has Janie married to Logan. After a few months Logan begins to lose his juice, and Janie fears that she’ll never fall in love with him and asks Nanny for advice. By this time, Janie’s thoughts on love and freedom was that as long as she had a man to provide and protect, she’ll have a happy life and achieve the American Dream. “‘...Heah you got uh prop tuh lean on all …show more content…
Later, Janie meets Tea Cake and quickly takes interest in when he arrives to the store to buy tobacco. Janie laughs a lot, and acts flirtatious around Tea Cake, and is shocked when he invites her to play a game of chess. “He set it up and began to show her and she found herself glowing inside. Somebody wanted her to play...She looked him over and got little thrills from every one of his good points...” (Hurston, 144) The townspeople quickly pick up on Janie and Tea Cake’s relationship, and fear that Tea Cake only wants Janie for her money, considering he is much younger than her, and very good looking. Janie is skeptical at first, but continues going out with Tea Cake. “It was so crazy digging worms by lamp light and setting out for Lake Sabelia after midnight that she felt like a child breaking rules. That’s what made Janie like it.” (Hurston, 121) Tea Cake would always take Janie places and do things, like fishing and play checkers, that Joe never let her do, this made Janie feel free again, and finally in love. She sells the general store, and claims that she didn 't want the townspeople comparing Tea Cake to Joe, and plans to marry Tea Cake. Janie leaves Eatonville with Tea Cake and marries him at a preacher 's house in Jacksonville. The morning after their marriage, Tea Cake is gone with her money,

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