Their Eyes Were Watching God is a novel by Zora Neale Hurston that explores the life of Janie Crawford, an African American woman living in the early 20th century. The novel is widely regarded as a classic of American literature and is known for its rich symbolism and allegory. In this article, we will explore the allegorical elements of the novel and how they contribute to its overall meaning.
At its core, Their Eyes Were Watching God is a story about self-discovery and empowerment. Janie’s journey to find her own voice and assert her independence is a metaphor for the struggles of African Americans during the Jim Crow era. The novel also explores themes of gender, race, and class, and how these intersect to shape Janie’s experiences and relationships. By examining the allegorical elements of the novel, we can gain a deeper understanding of its significance and relevance to contemporary readers.
The Role of Janie’s Journey
Janie’s journey in Their Eyes Were Watching God is a crucial aspect of the novel, as it serves as an allegory for the African American experience. Through Janie’s journey, readers gain insight into the struggles and triumphs of African Americans during the early 20th century.
The Quest for Identity
One of the primary themes of the novel is Janie’s search for identity. Throughout the story, Janie struggles to define herself and find her place in the world. Her journey takes her through several relationships and experiences, each of which contributes to her understanding of who she is and what she wants out of life.
Janie’s quest for identity is mirrored in the experiences of many African Americans during this time period. Like Janie, they were searching for a sense of self and a place in society that was often denied to them due to racism and discrimination.
Spiritual Awakening
Another important aspect of Janie’s journey is her spiritual awakening. As she grows and matures, Janie begins to see the world in a new light and develops a deeper understanding of herself and her place in the universe.
This spiritual awakening is a common theme in African American literature, as many authors sought to explore the role of spirituality and religion in the lives of African Americans. Through Janie’s journey, readers gain insight into the importance of spirituality and its role in shaping the African American experience.
Symbolism of the Pear Tree
In “Their Eyes Were Watching God,” the pear tree is a significant symbol that represents the protagonist’s journey towards self-discovery and empowerment. The pear tree is a recurring image throughout the novel, and it holds several meanings that are essential to understanding the story’s allegorical nature.
Connection to Nature
The pear tree symbolizes Janie’s connection to nature and her desire to live a life that is in harmony with it. The tree is a representation of the natural world’s beauty and its ability to provide a sense of peace and tranquility. Janie’s desire to connect with nature is evident in her interactions with the tree, as she often finds herself sitting beneath it, contemplating life’s mysteries.
Sexual Awakening
The pear tree also represents Janie’s sexual awakening and her desire for intimacy. Janie’s first sexual experience occurs under the tree’s branches, and it is a moment that she cherishes throughout the novel. The tree’s blooming flowers and the bees’ interactions with them are symbolic of Janie’s sexual desire and her longing for a passionate connection with another person.
The Hurricane: Forces of Nature and Fate
Chaos and Destruction
In “Their Eyes Were Watching God,” the hurricane symbolizes the uncontrollable chaos and destructive forces of nature that humans must face. Despite Janie and Tea Cake’s efforts to prepare for the storm, they ultimately realize that they are at the mercy of the hurricane. The hurricane becomes a symbol of impersonal and uncontrollable chaos against which human efforts are puny. The destruction caused by the hurricane is a reminder of the powerlessness of humans in the face of nature.
Human Struggle and Resilience
Despite the chaos and destruction caused by the hurricane, “Their Eyes Were Watching God” also highlights the human struggle and resilience in the face of adversity. Janie and Tea Cake’s survival of the hurricane demonstrates their strength and resilience. They face a new threat after surviving the hurricane, but their experience has prepared them to face it with courage and determination. The hurricane serves as a reminder that humans must face the forces of nature and fate, but it also highlights the strength and resilience of the human spirit.
The Significance of the Title
Their Eyes Were Watching God is a novel by Zora Neale Hurston that was published in 1937. The title itself is an allegory that represents the personal and spiritual growth of the protagonist, Janie Crawford, and the people around her. The title of the novel is significant in that it encapsulates the themes of the story and the struggles that Janie faces throughout her journey.
Vision and Observation
The title of the novel, Their Eyes Were Watching God, is symbolic of the importance of vision and observation in the story. Janie is a character who is constantly observing and analyzing the world around her. Her ability to see and understand the world is a key factor in her personal growth and development. The title also reflects the idea that God is watching over Janie and the people around her, guiding them on their journey.
Community and Gossip
The title of the novel also represents the role of community and gossip in the story. The people in Janie’s community are constantly watching and gossiping about her, which affects her relationships and her sense of self. The title reflects the idea that the community is watching and judging Janie, as well as the idea that God is watching over her and guiding her through her struggles.
Character Analysis and Their Allegorical Roles
Janie Crawford
Janie Crawford is the protagonist of the novel and represents the search for self-discovery and independence. Her journey towards self-realization is a metaphor for the journey of African Americans towards freedom and equality. Janie’s physical beauty and mixed-race origins make her an outsider in the black community, which represents the struggle of African Americans to find their place in society.
Tea Cake
Tea Cake is Janie’s third husband and represents the freedom that Janie seeks. He is a symbol of the new generation of African Americans who are not bound by the traditions of slavery and segregation. Tea Cake’s death from rabies at the end of the novel is a metaphor for the death of the dreams of the new generation of African Americans.
Joe Starks
Joe Starks is Janie’s second husband and represents the oppressive nature of traditional African American society. He is a symbol of the old generation of African Americans who were bound by the traditions of slavery and segregation. Joe’s desire for power and control over Janie is a metaphor for the desire of the old generation of African Americans to maintain their power and control over the new generation.
Nanny Crawford
Nanny Crawford is Janie’s grandmother and represents the legacy of slavery and oppression. She is a symbol of the old generation of African Americans who were born into slavery and passed down their traditions and beliefs to their children and grandchildren. Nanny’s desire for Janie to marry for security and stability is a metaphor for the desire of the old generation of African Americans to maintain their traditions and beliefs in the face of change and progress.
Use of Folklore and Oral Tradition
Storytelling as a Cultural Device
In “Their Eyes Were Watching God,” Zora Neale Hurston uses the storytelling tradition as a way to preserve and transmit African American folklore and culture. The novel is structured around Janie’s life story, which is narrated to her friend Pheoby. This narrative style is reminiscent of the oral tradition, where stories are passed down through generations. Hurston’s use of this device not only adds to the authenticity of the novel but also highlights the importance of storytelling in African American culture.
Language and Dialect
Hurston’s use of language and dialect is another way in which she incorporates African American culture into the novel. The characters in “Their Eyes Were Watching God” speak in a distinct dialect that is reflective of their Southern roots. The use of dialect is not only a way to accurately portray the characters but also a way to preserve the language and culture of African Americans. Hurston’s use of dialect adds depth and authenticity to the novel, making it a valuable contribution to the African American literary tradition.
The Mule Symbolism
In Their Eyes Were Watching God, the mule serves as a powerful symbol of both burden and oppression, as well as freedom and liberation.
Burden and Oppression
As Nanny tells Janie, “black women are the mules of the earth,” suggesting that they are seen as the lowest of the low, and are used by others for their own purposes. This idea is reinforced throughout the novel, as the mule is repeatedly depicted as a symbol of burden and oppression. For example, when Janie is forced into a loveless marriage with Logan Killicks, he buys her a mule and expects her to work alongside him in the fields. This underscores the idea that women, and particularly black women, are expected to shoulder the burden of hard labor without complaint.
Freedom and Liberation
However, the mule also serves as a symbol of freedom and liberation. When Janie leaves Logan and runs away with Jody Starks, she is able to leave the mule behind and start a new life for herself. This suggests that the mule represents the old, oppressive way of life that Janie is leaving behind, and that she is now free to pursue her own happiness. Later in the novel, when Janie finally achieves true love with Tea Cake, they ride off into the sunset on a mule-drawn cart. This symbolizes the idea that Janie has found a way to reconcile her past with her present, and that she is now able to move forward with a sense of freedom and liberation.
The Color Imagery
In Their Eyes Were Watching God, color imagery is used to convey deeper meaning and symbolism throughout the novel. Two colors that are particularly significant in the book are white and blue.
White and Purity
White is used to represent purity and innocence. Throughout the novel, Janie is often associated with the color white, particularly in her clothing. This is significant because Janie is a character who is searching for her own identity and trying to find her place in the world. By associating her with the color white, the author is suggesting that Janie is pure and innocent, and that she is searching for a way to maintain that purity in a world that can be harsh and cruel.
Blue and Serenity
Blue is used to represent serenity and calmness. Throughout the novel, the sky is often described as being blue, and Janie is frequently associated with the sky. This is significant because Janie is a character who is searching for peace and tranquility in her life. By associating her with the color blue, the author is suggesting that Janie is searching for a way to find that peace and tranquility in a world that can be chaotic and unpredictable.
The Motif of the Horizon
In Zora Neale Hurston’s “Their Eyes Were Watching God,” the motif of the horizon is a recurring symbol that plays a significant role in the novel. The horizon symbolizes hope, possibility, limitation, and boundaries.
Hope and Possibility
For Janie, the horizon represents hope and possibility. She sees the horizon as a realm of the possible, where she can dream about her future. During her arranged marriage with Logan Killicks, Janie remarks that Jody Starks shows her a glimpse of the horizon, meaning that he gives her a vision of a better life. The horizon also represents Janie’s desire for independence and a better life, which she eventually achieves with Tea Cake.
Limitation and Boundaries
On the other hand, the horizon also represents limitation and boundaries. Janie’s first husband, Logan Killicks, represents the horizon as a boundary that she cannot cross. Killicks is a farmer who wants Janie to work the land with him, which represents a life of limitation and boundaries. Janie’s second husband, Jody Starks, also represents the horizon as a boundary, but in a different way. Starks is a political figure who wants Janie to be a trophy wife and not to speak her mind.
