Zora Neale Hurston’s “Their Eyes Were Watching God” – Tanya Boucicaut

Lesson Introduction

In Tanya Boucicaut’s lesson on Zora Neale Hurston’s “Their Eyes Were Watching God,” the narrative follows Janie Crawford’s journey of self-discovery and resilience against societal expectations, beginning with her mysterious return to Eatonville after a devastating hurricane. The novel, deeply reflective of Hurston’s own life experiences, explores themes of love, independence, and the quest for authenticity through rich storytelling and regional dialects, ultimately highlighting the struggles and triumphs of Black women in early 20th-century America. Through Janie’s story, Hurston emphasizes the importance of lived experiences in understanding one’s identity and desires.

Lesson Article

Zora Neale Hurston’s “Their Eyes Were Watching God” – Tanya Boucicaut

The Storm and the Return

Imagine a powerful hurricane named Okeechobee tearing through the North Atlantic in 1928, leaving destruction in its wake. This storm forced many people to flee their homes, including those in Eatonville, Florida. But for Janie Crawford, the storm marked the beginning of an unexpected journey back home. Her return sets the stage for “Their Eyes Were Watching God,” a celebrated novel by Zora Neale Hurston. The book tells the story of a Black woman’s quest for love and independence in a world that often denied her both.

Janie’s Mysterious Return

When Janie comes back to Eatonville, her arrival is cloaked in mystery. Her neighbors are quick to gossip about her sudden reappearance, her financial status, and the mystery surrounding her missing husband. However, only her friend Pheoby gets to hear the full story. Through a conversation that unfolds over most of the novel, Hurston reveals Janie’s life journey—from her challenging childhood and life in Eatonville to her departure and the dramatic events that followed.

Reflecting the Author’s Life

While Janie’s story is extraordinary, many details mirror the life of the author, Zora Neale Hurston. Raised in Eatonville, one of the first all-Black towns in America, Hurston also left abruptly, traveling to places like Jacksonville and Washington, D.C., before heading north. In New York City, she studied anthropology and became a key figure in the Harlem Renaissance, a vibrant cultural movement celebrating Black creativity.

Gathering Stories and Writing the Novel

Hurston’s work gained enough support to fund research trips across the South, where she collected stories and folktales from Black communities. By 1937, her research took her to Haiti, where she wrote most of “Their Eyes Were Watching God.” Hurston infused the novel with elements from her own life, family, and romantic experiences, bringing readers into the heart of Black southern life. She used regional dialects to capture the authentic voices of her characters.

The Power of Storytelling

The novel’s third-person narration allows Hurston to weave poetic descriptions of everything from nature to fashion, while delving into her characters’ deepest emotions. The themes in the novel reflect Hurston’s experiences as a Black woman in America. During a long evening, Janie and Pheoby discuss family, marriage, spirituality, and more. But the conversation always circles back to Janie’s deepest wish: to live truthfully and be genuinely loved.

Janie’s Journey for Love and Freedom

As a teenager, Janie resents an arranged marriage, despite the security it offers and her grandmother’s wishes. As her family gains respect in Eatonville, she struggles with the judgmental gaze of strangers and a husband who wants her to be someone she’s not. Throughout her life, Janie feels at the mercy of natural and spiritual forces that can change her life’s course unexpectedly. Even when she finds true love, these forces threaten to unravel the life she has worked hard to build.

Defying Expectations

The story unfolds in a time when women had little control over their lives, and Janie’s world is filled with complex characters demanding different forms of love and submission. Despite her loneliness, Janie faces these challenges with defiance and curiosity. Her questions and insights subtly challenge societal norms. As readers follow Janie’s journey from childhood to adulthood, her growing confidence becomes contagious. Like Hurston, Janie defies the restrictive expectations placed on women of her time. Hurston writes, “there are years that ask questions and years that answer,” suggesting that life is best understood through lived experiences. Through her empathetic storytelling, Hurston invites us into Janie’s life, her own life, and the lives of countless other women.

Lesson Vocabulary

JanieThe protagonist of Zora Neale Hurston’s novel “Their Eyes Were Watching God,” who embarks on a journey of self-discovery and personal growth. – In Hurston’s novel, Janie’s quest for love and identity challenges the traditional roles expected of women in her community.

HurstonZora Neale Hurston, an influential African American author and anthropologist known for her contributions to literature during the Harlem Renaissance. – Hurston’s works, including her celebrated novel “Their Eyes Were Watching God,” provide a rich exploration of African American culture and identity.

LoveA profound and complex emotion that is a central theme in literature, often driving characters’ actions and development. – In Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet,” love is portrayed as a powerful force that transcends familial conflict and societal expectations.

FreedomThe power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint, often explored in literature as a theme of personal liberation. – In “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” Huck’s journey down the Mississippi River symbolizes his quest for freedom from societal constraints.

StorytellingThe art of narrating stories, a fundamental aspect of human culture and a powerful tool for sharing experiences and preserving history. – In “One Thousand and One Nights,” storytelling becomes a means of survival for Scheherazade as she captivates the king with her tales.

JourneyA narrative element in literature that involves a character’s physical or metaphorical travel, often leading to personal growth or transformation. – In Homer’s “The Odyssey,” Odysseus’s long journey home from the Trojan War is filled with trials that test his character and resolve.

IndependenceThe state of being self-reliant and free from outside control, frequently explored in literature as a character’s struggle for autonomy. – In “Jane Eyre,” Jane’s pursuit of independence is a central theme as she seeks to define her own identity and destiny.

CommunityA group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common, often depicted in literature as a source of support or conflict. – In “To Kill a Mockingbird,” the community of Maycomb plays a crucial role in shaping the events and moral lessons of the story.

MarriageA legally or formally recognized union of two people, often explored in literature as a complex relationship that can reflect societal norms and personal desires. – In “Pride and Prejudice,” marriage is a central theme that highlights the social pressures and personal choices faced by the characters.

CultureThe customs, arts, social institutions, and achievements of a particular nation, people, or other social group, frequently examined in literature to explore identity and heritage. – In Chinua Achebe’s “Things Fall Apart,” the clash between traditional Igbo culture and colonial influences is a pivotal theme.

Discussion Questions

  1. How does the depiction of the hurricane in the article symbolize the beginning of Janie’s journey, and what personal experiences have marked significant turning points in your own life?
  2. Reflect on Janie’s mysterious return to Eatonville. How do you think her neighbors’ gossip and assumptions reflect societal attitudes, and how have you experienced or witnessed similar situations in your community?
  3. Considering the parallels between Janie’s story and Zora Neale Hurston’s life, how do you think personal experiences influence an author’s storytelling, and can you think of a story where your own experiences have shaped your perspective?
  4. Hurston’s use of regional dialects adds authenticity to her characters. How important do you think language and dialect are in storytelling, and how do they affect your connection to a narrative?
  5. The article highlights the themes of love and independence in Janie’s journey. How do these themes resonate with your own life experiences, and what have you learned about balancing love and independence?
  6. Janie’s journey involves defying societal expectations. Can you share a time when you or someone you know challenged societal norms, and what was the outcome of that experience?
  7. The article mentions Janie’s struggle with natural and spiritual forces. How do you interpret these forces in your own life, and how have they influenced your decisions and path?
  8. Reflect on the quote “there are years that ask questions and years that answer.” How does this idea relate to your personal journey, and what questions or answers have been significant for you recently?

Lesson Activities

  1. Character Analysis and Role Play

    Choose a character from “Their Eyes Were Watching God” and create a detailed character profile. Consider their motivations, relationships, and development throughout the novel. Then, pair up with a classmate and role-play a key scene from the book, focusing on how your character would react and why. This will help you understand the characters’ complexities and the themes they represent.

  2. Creative Writing: Janie’s Diary

    Imagine you are Janie Crawford and write a series of diary entries that capture her thoughts and feelings during pivotal moments in the novel. Reflect on her journey for love and freedom, and how the events in her life shape her identity. This activity will allow you to explore Janie’s inner world and the novel’s themes from a personal perspective.

  3. Historical Context Research Project

    Research the historical context of the 1920s and 1930s, focusing on the Great Okeechobee Hurricane, the Harlem Renaissance, and the social dynamics of Eatonville. Present your findings in a multimedia presentation, highlighting how these events and cultural movements influenced Zora Neale Hurston’s writing and the setting of the novel. This will deepen your understanding of the novel’s backdrop and its impact on the narrative.

  4. Dialect and Dialogue Workshop

    Examine the use of regional dialects in “Their Eyes Were Watching God.” Select a passage from the novel and analyze how Hurston uses language to convey authenticity and character. Then, try writing a short dialogue between two characters using a similar dialect. This exercise will help you appreciate Hurston’s linguistic style and its role in storytelling.

  5. Theme Exploration: Love and Independence

    Identify and discuss the themes of love and independence in the novel. Create a visual representation, such as a mind map or collage, that illustrates how these themes are interwoven throughout Janie’s journey. Share your work with the class and explain how Hurston’s portrayal of these themes resonates with contemporary issues. This activity encourages critical thinking and connects the novel’s themes to broader societal questions.

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