Their Eyes Were Watching God By Zora Neale Hurston: An Analysis

Zora Neale Hurston was a preeminent African American female writer who was prominent in the Harlem Renaissance an era essentially popular for black cultural movements in the 1920’s and 1930’s. Hurston was born in Florida in 1891 a time and place surrounded with sexism and racism.

Zora Neale Hurston is the author of the novel “ Their Eyes Were Watching God”. The story was published in 1937, an amazing accomplishment considering the complications faced by black female authors at the time.

She projects her self image within protagonist thus the novel being semi- autobiographical

Revolves around Janie Crawford a young African American woman who lives with her grandmother, Nanny. Nanny has a troubled past, being raped by her masters many

In this novel, women are expected to be wonderful little wives, wives who don’t voice their opinions or disobey their husbands. Women who could only gain power through their marriages, preferably to a wealthy powerful man.

Janie is a strong and independent protagonist. Zora Neale Huston is a talented female author who writes on the issues of female inequality in marriages. Hurston makes subtle arguments to forward the cause o feminism.

Hurston short story is shaped by her race

African American’s constantly face obstacles that prevent them from succeeding. Zora is celebrated as a talented author however they celebrate her s a “Black female” author she is automatically lumped into a category with the rest of the black writers of the Harlem Renaissance and was underpaid for her talented work.

Janie’s gender plays a major role in how she is seen by society. Janie and many women are simply known in reference to their husbands, rather then “Janie Starks” the Mrs. Mayor. Although Joe Starks is a black man he gives out a persona of domination and displays traits of the white man, while looking down at others especially Janie. Janie feels the need to please Joe to suit her expectations of