In Zora Neale Hurston’s novel Their Eyes Were Watching God, the main character, Janie, emerges with a sense of independence, spiritual enlightenment, and a sense of her own identity. The book is not only a search for a partner, but a search for her own identity and independence; developing along the way by her use of her own voice and language. A huge part in her quest for independence were her three husbands in the novel- Logan Killicks, Jody Starks, and Tea Cake. They all taught her that marriage does not necessarily make love, the bond between the two people does.
In the novel, Janie is a true example of what society expects- to grow up, become successful, to get married, have kids, retire, and then die. Janie spent a huge part of her life looking for a significant other that could support her and love her. Her first husband, however, did not. The novel says, “Yes, she would love Logan after they were married. She could see no way for it to come about, but Nanny and the old folks had said it, so it must be so. Husbands …show more content…
She wouldn’t be lonely anymore.”
Janie seemed to believe that she was in love with Logan Killicks, although she was only in love with the idea of being in love with him. She was told by many that she needed him, for stability and dependency and Janie bought into those lies. On the way to his house after the wedding, she talks about waiting for love to begin. The forced marriage with Logan taught her that marriage did not make love; her first dream was dead, so she became a woman.
In becoming a woman, Janie then met Jody Starks. When Jody enters her life, he seems to offer an alternative to the dull and unidealistic Logan Killicks. With his big plans and purposeful talk, Jody convinces Janie that he will help her realize her dreams, whatever the dreams may be. He buys her love and affection; but soon after the relationship begins, Jody starts to exert his power and control over
In the novel, Janie is a true example of what society expects- to grow up, become successful, to get married, have kids, retire, and then die. Janie spent a huge part of her life looking for a significant other that could support her and love her. Her first husband, however, did not. The novel says, “Yes, she would love Logan after they were married. She could see no way for it to come about, but Nanny and the old folks had said it, so it must be so. Husbands …show more content…
She wouldn’t be lonely anymore.”
Janie seemed to believe that she was in love with Logan Killicks, although she was only in love with the idea of being in love with him. She was told by many that she needed him, for stability and dependency and Janie bought into those lies. On the way to his house after the wedding, she talks about waiting for love to begin. The forced marriage with Logan taught her that marriage did not make love; her first dream was dead, so she became a woman.
In becoming a woman, Janie then met Jody Starks. When Jody enters her life, he seems to offer an alternative to the dull and unidealistic Logan Killicks. With his big plans and purposeful talk, Jody convinces Janie that he will help her realize her dreams, whatever the dreams may be. He buys her love and affection; but soon after the relationship begins, Jody starts to exert his power and control over