Women, in the nineteenth and early twentieth century, contended with many struggles, regarding their personal freedom and independence. Moreover, they were oppressed, objectified, and subjugated to the patriarchal norms of society. In Zora Neale Hurston’s novel, Their Eyes Were Watching God, the typical struggles women faced, and the abuses they endured, are brought to life through the flashback of the protagonist, Janie Crawford, a beautiful, young African American woman. In Janie’s early life, her most important relationship is with her grandmother, Nanny (Hurston 10). In the novel, Nanny plays the role of a patriarchal woman (28). Due to her prior experiences as a slave, Nanny places great emphasize on values such as wealth and protection—values,
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In his first encounter with Janie, he said, “A pretty doll-baby lak you is made to sit on the front porch and rock and fan yo’self and eat p’tater dat other folks plant just special for you” (34). Here, Joe is defining the traditional gender roles of women and men in society. Simultaneously, he is objectifying Janie. This quote reinforces the view that women should not work and be fed by men. Men, on the other hand, work. By comparing Janie to a pretty doll-baby, Joe objectified Janie as a weak and feeble …show more content…
Through her marriage with Tea Cake, Janie was, finally, able to escape the cycle of objectification. Unlike Logan, who objectified Janie as a slave, or Jody, who objectified Janie as a trophy-wife, Tea Cake humanized Janie and treated her as a human being (113). He did this by allowing Janie to play checkers with him and offering to teach her how to play (113). This act is a stark contrast to Joe’s, because he thought, “It wuz too heavy fuh [her] brains” (115). Joe’s view typifies the views most men have—that women are inferior and do not possess the intellect to play or learn checkers (113). Tea Cake, on the other hand, believes that women are equal to men and do possess the
In his first encounter with Janie, he said, “A pretty doll-baby lak you is made to sit on the front porch and rock and fan yo’self and eat p’tater dat other folks plant just special for you” (34). Here, Joe is defining the traditional gender roles of women and men in society. Simultaneously, he is objectifying Janie. This quote reinforces the view that women should not work and be fed by men. Men, on the other hand, work. By comparing Janie to a pretty doll-baby, Joe objectified Janie as a weak and feeble …show more content…
Through her marriage with Tea Cake, Janie was, finally, able to escape the cycle of objectification. Unlike Logan, who objectified Janie as a slave, or Jody, who objectified Janie as a trophy-wife, Tea Cake humanized Janie and treated her as a human being (113). He did this by allowing Janie to play checkers with him and offering to teach her how to play (113). This act is a stark contrast to Joe’s, because he thought, “It wuz too heavy fuh [her] brains” (115). Joe’s view typifies the views most men have—that women are inferior and do not possess the intellect to play or learn checkers (113). Tea Cake, on the other hand, believes that women are equal to men and do possess the