Trudier Harris is a modern feminist writer and a part of the African-American community. She writes commentaries about the feminist messages, or lack thereof, in popular writings. In one such review, quoted above, she criticizes Zora Neale Hurston’s Their Eyes Were Watching God, a seminal work of 20th century literature. Harris especially disapproves of the relationships of Janie, the novel’s protagonist, with various men. Although Harris is correct in that Janie is often outwardly passive, Harris’ focus on Janie’s public submission leads her to overlook Janie’s growing internal strength.
That Janie chooses to remain in a submissive role in her relationship with Jody generally supports Harris’ assertions about her passivity. In order to stay obedient to her husband, Jody, Janie separates her internal feelings from her external submission. After years of marriage, Janie learns that staying quiet is more effective than fighting back …show more content…
Though Janie may be at times passive, in private she is often strong, confident, and willful. Janie is in control over her body; she has strong opinions and tells them. Harris misses all of these more subtle declarations in favor of a seemingly straightforward argument. Janie is an incredibly complex and layered character, a fact which Harris does not fully appreciate. She is not on a “feminist quest,” she simply lives her life. Why is that not a feminist representation of womanhood? Janie falls in and out of love, yet maintains a healthy self-image. She may be subservient to men in some cases, but in others she is outspoken. To simplify her story into a lesson about empowerment is an injustice; Janie grows not just as a woman, but as a person. As one watches Janie’s growth, one can learn more about one’s own maturity and life journey. Though Harris is correct in Janie’s sometime docility with men, she fails to recognize Janie’s strong convictions about sexuality, freedom, and
That Janie chooses to remain in a submissive role in her relationship with Jody generally supports Harris’ assertions about her passivity. In order to stay obedient to her husband, Jody, Janie separates her internal feelings from her external submission. After years of marriage, Janie learns that staying quiet is more effective than fighting back …show more content…
Though Janie may be at times passive, in private she is often strong, confident, and willful. Janie is in control over her body; she has strong opinions and tells them. Harris misses all of these more subtle declarations in favor of a seemingly straightforward argument. Janie is an incredibly complex and layered character, a fact which Harris does not fully appreciate. She is not on a “feminist quest,” she simply lives her life. Why is that not a feminist representation of womanhood? Janie falls in and out of love, yet maintains a healthy self-image. She may be subservient to men in some cases, but in others she is outspoken. To simplify her story into a lesson about empowerment is an injustice; Janie grows not just as a woman, but as a person. As one watches Janie’s growth, one can learn more about one’s own maturity and life journey. Though Harris is correct in Janie’s sometime docility with men, she fails to recognize Janie’s strong convictions about sexuality, freedom, and