Hurston, Zora Neale: 1891-1960

Their Eyes Were Watching God, 1937 - Before Reading

Before reading the book it helps to understand a few key ideas, contexts, and stylistic choices. This novel is rich but can feel unusual if you’re not prepared for its voice and themes.
- 1. The historical & cultural context (Harlem Renaissance)
  Hurston was part of the Harlem Renaissance, a period celebrating Black art, identity, and expression.
  - What to know: Many writers were trying to represent authentic Black life.
  - Hurston’s twist: She focused on rural Southern Black communities, not just urban Harlem.
  Example: The town of Eatonville (a real all-Black town in Florida) is portrayed as lively, self-governing, and full of personality—not defined by white society.
- 2. The importance of voice & dialect
  Hurston uses phonetic Southern Black dialect in dialogue.
  - What to know: It may look unfamiliar or harder to read at first.
  - Why it matters: It preserves authenticity and oral storytelling traditions.
  Example: “You got tuh go there tuh know there.” This reflects how characters actually speak, adding rhythm and cultural depth.
- 3. Janie’s journey = self-discovery
  The protagonist, Janie Crawford, goes through three major relationships.
  - What to know: The novel is less about plot and more about inner growth.
  - Each relationship teaches her something about love, power, and identity.
  Examples:
  - With Logan Killicks → security but no love
  - With Joe Starks → status but no voice
  - With Tea Cake → love, but also risk and complexity
- 4. Themes of independence & voice
  A central idea: finding your own voice as a Black woman.
  - What to know: Janie struggles against expectations from men and society.
  - The novel explores gender roles within Black communities, not just race.
  Example: Joe Starks silences Janie in public, saying she shouldn’t speak—showing how her voice is controlled.
- 5. Symbolism (especially nature)
  Nature plays a huge symbolic role.
  - Pear tree → ideal love and harmony
  - Horizon → dreams and possibilities
  - Hurricane → uncontrollable fate and reality
  Example: The hurricane scene shows how humans are powerless before nature, shifting the story from personal to universal struggle.
- 6. Frame narrative structure
  The story begins with Janie returning home and telling her life story to her friend Pheoby Watson.
  - What to know: You’re reading a story within a story.
  - This emphasizes reflection and storytelling as empowerment.
  Example: Janie controls how her story is told—unlike earlier in her life when others controlled her.
- 7. Not a traditional “happy ending”
  - What to know: The ending is more about self-realization than romance.
  - Janie’s growth matters more than whether she ends up with someone.
  Example: She returns alone—but fulfilled, having “been to the horizon and back.”
- 8. Why it was controversial
  Some Black critics at the time felt Hurston wasn’t political enough.
  Today, it’s considered a classic of Black feminist literature.
- 9. Quick mindset
  - Read slowly, especially dialogue
  - Focus on Janie’s emotional journey, not just events
  - Pay attention to symbols and repeated images