- Author and Background Zora Neale Hurston was a key American writer during the mid-1900s. Although she wrote many popular novels, short stories, and plays, Hurston is well known for her 1937 novel Their Eyes Were Watching God (TEWWG). Hurston was born in Notasulga, Alabama but grew up in Eatonville, Florida. Her father was a preacher, while her mother was a teacher. Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia states Eatonville was a, “…pleasant all-black town… (Columbia 1)” and claims that Hurston had a “…placid childhood and privileged academic background…” This well-mannered upbringing is responsible for Hurston’s unpopular career choice as an author, especially since she is a woman. Furthermore, Hurston also has a college degree from Howard University, where she studied writing. Hurston’s southern background is prevalent in her work in T.E.W.W.G. as she incorporates southern dialect and slang words. Zora Neale Hurston was also known to extensively study African and rural black folklore, which aided in her writing in T.E.W.W.G. as it added authenticity and allowed her to capture the essence and feel from the time and setting of the story. It is important to note that Hurston’s work was not extremely popular during her time. She was criticized by many because of her feministic tendencies as well as her lack of theme and conventional plot structure. Richard Wright, in a review for the magazine New Masses writes, “Miss Hurston seems to have no desire whatever to move in the direction of serious fiction (Wright 1).” In modern day, we can see that this change away from concrete plot structure, and into a loose story as a prime characteristic of the postmodern literature revolution. Because of this criticism, Hurston was not the most prominent during her lifetime, but her story’s resurged after Alice Walker discovered Hurston’s stories, unfortunately after her death. In the big picture, Hurston will be remembered because she dared to challenge social norms and stayed true to her writing even though it was unpopular at the time.
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- Summary The story begins with Janie Crawford returning from her travels. After she is walks through the street and into her house, everyone starts talking gossip. Janie is extremely attractive, all the men notice her, while all the ladies envy her, but when she was walking through the street, not a sound was made. The town’s ladies start talking about how Janie is too old for Teacake (her late husband), how she is rude, and too reserved. The only person who would listen to Janie is her old friend, Pheoby Watson. Janie tells the story about her childhood to Pheoby. Janie starts with stating that her parents were absent during her childhood so her grandmother, Nanny Crawford took care of her with the help of the landowners Mr. and Mrs. Washburn. One spring afternoon Janie kisses a boy named Johnny Taylor, claiming she was influenced by the blooming of the pear tree. Nanny gets really worried about this, because her daughter, Janie’s’ mother was also extremely free spirited. Nanny decides it is best to get Janie married to an old wealthy man named Logan Killicks. Although Mr. Killicks was a reliable place to live, Janie didn’t like him at all. In the meantime, Janie meets a good looking, smooth talking man named Joe Starks, who Janie connects with. After Mr. Killicks threatens Janie, and treats her badly under the impression that Janie is spoiled, Janie runs off with Joe Starks. Joe Starks then becomes the first mayor of Eatonville, and gains prestige. One occasion, a man named Tony Taylor asks Janie to give a speech, but Joe, also called “Jody”, prevents her from doing so saying that it was not proper of a wife. Joe becomes extremely involved around town, and has little time for Janie. Joe’s newfound wealth causes him to become arrogant, and overprotective of Janie. He makes Janie run his store, but makes her cover her hair, and limits Janie talking to the “lower-class” people who try and talk to her. Janie soon becomes of what Joe wants of her: a quiet, restricted, wife. She internalizes all the unfairness Joe places on her, but one day when Joe
- Summary The story begins with Janie Crawford returning from her travels. After she is walks through the street and into her house, everyone starts talking gossip. Janie is extremely attractive, all the men notice her, while all the ladies envy her, but when she was walking through the street, not a sound was made. The town’s ladies start talking about how Janie is too old for Teacake (her late husband), how she is rude, and too reserved. The only person who would listen to Janie is her old friend, Pheoby Watson. Janie tells the story about her childhood to Pheoby. Janie starts with stating that her parents were absent during her childhood so her grandmother, Nanny Crawford took care of her with the help of the landowners Mr. and Mrs. Washburn. One spring afternoon Janie kisses a boy named Johnny Taylor, claiming she was influenced by the blooming of the pear tree. Nanny gets really worried about this, because her daughter, Janie’s’ mother was also extremely free spirited. Nanny decides it is best to get Janie married to an old wealthy man named Logan Killicks. Although Mr. Killicks was a reliable place to live, Janie didn’t like him at all. In the meantime, Janie meets a good looking, smooth talking man named Joe Starks, who Janie connects with. After Mr. Killicks threatens Janie, and treats her badly under the impression that Janie is spoiled, Janie runs off with Joe Starks. Joe Starks then becomes the first mayor of Eatonville, and gains prestige. One occasion, a man named Tony Taylor asks Janie to give a speech, but Joe, also called “Jody”, prevents her from doing so saying that it was not proper of a wife. Joe becomes extremely involved around town, and has little time for Janie. Joe’s newfound wealth causes him to become arrogant, and overprotective of Janie. He makes Janie run his store, but makes her cover her hair, and limits Janie talking to the “lower-class” people who try and talk to her. Janie soon becomes of what Joe wants of her: a quiet, restricted, wife. She internalizes all the unfairness Joe places on her, but one day when Joe