Their Eyes Were Watching God By Zora Hurston: Character Analysis

Their Eyes Were Watching God is a story written in Zora Hurston in 1937. The story takes place during the late 1800s and early 1900s in Eatonville, Florida as the main character, Janie Crawford, has returned there after a long time away. The main protagonist in the novel, Janie Mae Crawford, is an African American woman who is often seen to be flaunting herself as if she were Caucasian; this is because she has a mixed family diversity. Janie Crawford is a woman who doesn’t listen to gender stereotypes, and instead uses them to embrace herself. Another person who plays a key role in the story is Janie’s husband, Tea Cake. Tea Cake isn’t her first husband however, after two unsuccessful marriages Janie has settled down with Tea Cake as he was her first true love. He is known to have an immense pride for life and living it to the fullest, and he also withholds razor-sharp wit and charm. Throughout the story, the author …show more content…
Janie is in a constant struggle to find out where she fits in best, whether that is with a man or with her own free independence. When in a relationship with her former husband, Jody, Janie is constantly controlled as Jody achieves satisfaction only when he is in complete control of everything, such as basic relationship fundamentals. Janine is ultimately able to appreciate herself and come in touch with her independence.
Another theme that shined throughout the story was Power and Conquest. Janie is in a constant struggle of husbands who feel the need to assert themselves in every situation as being more powerful than the conflict at hand. An example of this is when the hurricane breaks out and Tea Cake pleads that he is able to fight the storm and survive, through his irrational beliefs. Human limitation is ultimately dominant in the situation. The author is trying to convey human limitation, and how it plays a key role in independence and