Love and Relationships Versus Independence: Zora Neale Hurston's Their Eyes were Watching God

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Most believe finding love is more valuable than their own independence. In most cases that could be true, but if the one you are seeking and expecting love from is not treating you with respect, how is love more important? The journey of finding love could be a great one but if deep down inside you are aware of your unhappiness, then YOUR independence should be what matters. Zora Neale Hurston’s message with the theme of Love & Relationships vs. Independence is to never rush into finding love until you are ready. Your independence may bring you happiness that you may not be able to have while in a relationship.
Janie never wanted to be married she wanted her independence, but her grandmother thought otherwise. Janie’s grandmother was aware that she was getting older and that when she died there would be no one there to take care and provide for Janie. Janie’s grandmother told her “Ah ain’t gittin’ ole, honey. Ah’m done ole. One mornin’ soon, now, de angel wid de sword is gointuh stop by here. De day and de hour is hid from me, but it won’t be long. Ah ast de Lawd when you was uh infant in mah arms to let me stay here till you got grown. He done spared me to see de day. Mah daily prayer now is tuh let dese golden moments rolls on a few days longer till Ah see you safe in life.” (Hurston, pg. 15)Overall nanny just wanted to see that Janie was safe before she passed away, that was her reasoning for wanting to marrying off Janie. Nanny thought with Janie being married she would not have to see Janie go through the same incidents he mother did. Janie’s mother was raped and once Janie was born she ran off.
When you think of independence, the first thing that comes to mind is freedom and wanting to li...

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...a key role for numerous reasons. Janie possibly would have been an independent woman if she was not forced to marry at such a young age. Being married caused her independence to be put on hold because, Janie was forced to wait hand and foot on men she did not love. Soon enough she found her independence when her second husband Joe Starks passed. She became the Janie who would have fun and not worry about any repercussions or the gossip behind it. But love found her again and she took advantage of it hoping it would be different from her past experiences. In the end Janie’s last chance at being in love turned out to be better than the others. Finding love could lead you to your independence, but it’s up to the driver to determine whether or not that love is for them or not.

Works Cited

Hurtson,Neale,Zora:Their Eyes Were Watching God

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