Zora Neale Hurston’s Their Eyes were Watching God explores gender inequality and personal identity of black women. Zora Neale Hurston wrote and published the story in 1937, a time in American history when women seemed to begin gaining opportunities, yet still tainted by the dominance of men in politics, business and social power. Being both black and female signified a very low social class. Hurston’s portrayal of black women reflects this historical context: women are seen as weak and fragile, needing a strong male partner to protect and provide for them. A recurring theme in the novel is that black women find their self-worth through their marriage partner rather than through their personal identity.
Hurston creates an atmosphere that black …show more content…
In Janie’s second marriage, her husband Joe Starks implies the nobility of Janie due to his status as Mayor: “Well, honey, how yuh lak bein’ Mrs. Mayor? ...You oughta be glad, ‘cause dat makes uh big woman outa you” (Hurston, 46). From this, Joe robs Janie from any notion of personal identity as he puts his own identity at the forefront of Janie’s self-worth. Even after Joe’s death, many men travelled great distances to offer themselves in service to Janie, as if she cannot take care of herself: “Uh woman by herself is uh pitiful thing, she was told over and again. Dey needs aid and assistance” (Hurston, 90). Through the words of Joe and many other men, it is evident that Janie’s identity is forged based on her husband’s merits rather than her own character. Unlike Hurston’s portrayal that black women need to cling onto her husband’s prestige, Janie is quick to let go of Joe in order to embrace a new identity with Vergible “Tea Cake” Woods. Months after Joe’s death, Janie is quick to reform to reflect Tea Cake’s personality through her attire and church attendance: “Joe Starks hadn’t been dead but nine months and here she goes sashaying off to a picnic in pink linen. Done quit attending church, like she used to” (Hurston, 110). Through Janie’s continual hunt for new relationships, she never has the chance to form
Hurston creates an atmosphere that black …show more content…
In Janie’s second marriage, her husband Joe Starks implies the nobility of Janie due to his status as Mayor: “Well, honey, how yuh lak bein’ Mrs. Mayor? ...You oughta be glad, ‘cause dat makes uh big woman outa you” (Hurston, 46). From this, Joe robs Janie from any notion of personal identity as he puts his own identity at the forefront of Janie’s self-worth. Even after Joe’s death, many men travelled great distances to offer themselves in service to Janie, as if she cannot take care of herself: “Uh woman by herself is uh pitiful thing, she was told over and again. Dey needs aid and assistance” (Hurston, 90). Through the words of Joe and many other men, it is evident that Janie’s identity is forged based on her husband’s merits rather than her own character. Unlike Hurston’s portrayal that black women need to cling onto her husband’s prestige, Janie is quick to let go of Joe in order to embrace a new identity with Vergible “Tea Cake” Woods. Months after Joe’s death, Janie is quick to reform to reflect Tea Cake’s personality through her attire and church attendance: “Joe Starks hadn’t been dead but nine months and here she goes sashaying off to a picnic in pink linen. Done quit attending church, like she used to” (Hurston, 110). Through Janie’s continual hunt for new relationships, she never has the chance to form