As an English teacher, my research topic develops a comprehensive understanding of Zora Neale Hurston’s protagonist, Janie Crawford, in Their Eyes Were Watching God. I am also interested in addressing Janie’s role as a feminist despite her outward acceptance of societal norms and her personal desire for a loving husband. My examination of literature emerges through an awareness of the historical context of the work, which provides insight into the author’s personal experience, politics, cultural and ethnic background. My research establishes a profound understanding of the text, which, in turn, will help me facilitate my students’ critical thinking of the text.
In her article, “Seeking confirmation of the Voice and Visions: The struggle for Janie’s Soul in Their Eyes Were Watching God”, LuElla Putnam posits Zora Neale Hurston’s protagonist, Janie Crawford, is a feminist heroine who sheds …show more content…
She supports her claims through chronological presentation of the significant events and characters. Her conclusions are adequately supported by her research and are comparable to previous studies of Hurston’s work. One noted flaw in Putnam’s assertion occurs when she states that Janie “learns to empower herself” followed by Janie’s act of self-defense. Janie’s act of self-defense appears to be the realization that Tea Cake will not recover from his disease. Further study of feminism and the psychology of abuse, oppression, and recovery are required. Shawn E. Miller’ article, “Some Other Way to Try: From Defiance to Creative Submission in Their Eyes Were Watching God”, challenges the conventional belief of Janie Crawford as “an internal static feminist hero” on a quest to free herself from subjugation to attain “self actualization”.(75) Instead, Miller asserts that Janie is a dynamic character that learns to master “conventional marriage” as opposed to “her escape from
In her article, “Seeking confirmation of the Voice and Visions: The struggle for Janie’s Soul in Their Eyes Were Watching God”, LuElla Putnam posits Zora Neale Hurston’s protagonist, Janie Crawford, is a feminist heroine who sheds …show more content…
She supports her claims through chronological presentation of the significant events and characters. Her conclusions are adequately supported by her research and are comparable to previous studies of Hurston’s work. One noted flaw in Putnam’s assertion occurs when she states that Janie “learns to empower herself” followed by Janie’s act of self-defense. Janie’s act of self-defense appears to be the realization that Tea Cake will not recover from his disease. Further study of feminism and the psychology of abuse, oppression, and recovery are required. Shawn E. Miller’ article, “Some Other Way to Try: From Defiance to Creative Submission in Their Eyes Were Watching God”, challenges the conventional belief of Janie Crawford as “an internal static feminist hero” on a quest to free herself from subjugation to attain “self actualization”.(75) Instead, Miller asserts that Janie is a dynamic character that learns to master “conventional marriage” as opposed to “her escape from