Zora Neale Hurston Their Eyes Were Watching God Analysis

- Author and Background Zora Neale Hurston was a key American writer during the mid-1900s. Although she wrote many popular novels, short stories, and plays, Hurston is well known for her 1937 novel Their Eyes Were Watching God (TEWWG). Hurston was born in Notasulga, Alabama but grew up in Eatonville, Florida. Her father was a preacher, while her mother was a teacher. Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia states Eatonville was a, “…pleasant all-black town… (Columbia 1)” and claims that Hurston had a “…placid childhood and privileged academic background…” This well-mannered upbringing is responsible for Hurston’s unpopular career choice as an author, especially since she is a woman. Furthermore, Hurston also has a college degree from Howard University, where …show more content…
- Summary The story begins with Janie Crawford returning from her travels. After she is walks through the street and into her house, everyone starts talking gossip. Janie is extremely attractive, all the men notice her, while all the ladies envy her, but when she was walking through the street, not a sound was made. The town’s ladies start talking about how Janie is too old for Teacake (her late husband), how she is rude, and too reserved. The only person who would listen to Janie is her old friend, Pheoby Watson. Janie tells the story about her childhood to Pheoby. Janie starts with stating that her parents were absent during her childhood so her grandmother, Nanny Crawford took care of her with the help of the landowners Mr. and Mrs. Washburn. One spring afternoon Janie kisses a boy named Johnny Taylor, claiming she was influenced by the blooming of the pear tree. Nanny gets really worried about this, because her daughter, Janie’s’ mother was also extremely free spirited. Nanny decides it is best to get Janie married to an old wealthy man named Logan Killicks. Although Mr. Killicks was a reliable place to live, Janie didn’t like him at all. In the meantime,