Oprah’s Interpretation of the Novel Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston

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Oprah Winfrey’s interpretation of the novel Their Eyes Were Watching God caused a figurative case of the rabies through her Hollywood production. Oprah’s lack of knowledge towards the classic caused her to form a false fairytale romance, along with scarcity of symbolism, and changes in characters and relationships. On top of all of her adjustments, Oprah also made the choice to change the title. Their Eyes Were Watching God went from a reality-depicting novel, to becoming a glistering mockery of a movie production.
Oprah’s interpretation of the central theme in the novel did not align with that of Zora Neale Hurston. Oprah took a classic novel and made a film that completely altered the meaning interpreted by audiences. Oprah made the movie her ideal love story, instead of Janie’s reality. Rather than the movie focusing on Janie’s point of view, Oprah made it from hers. “It was one of the most beautiful, poignant love stories I’d ever read” (Their). Oprah used first person narration to explain what she wanted the viewers to take in, and control what the viewers processed about the film. Altogether, Oprah did incorporate the idea of love, but the true story aimed towards Janie’s venture of liberation. “Janie does find love, but a love story, the novel is not” (Ceptus). The overall meaning of Their Eyes Were Watching God expresses Janie’s freedom in finding her true independence and love. Oprah twisted the genuine meaning of pure, blossoming love, into a sinful love of sexual desires and lust. Janie finds herself through the journey, by lessons learned during her quest to find her true identity. Janie’s confusion of herself lead her down a path of clarity. Oprah’s love story did appeal to the eye, but it did not exhibit Hurston’s ...

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Their Eyes Were Watching God. Dir. Darnell Martin. Perf. Halle Berry . Harpo Films, 2005. DVD.

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