By: Zora Neale Hurston
Their Eyes Were Watching God is about an African American women living in Florida, named Janie. The story takes place as a conversation with her friend Pheoby after she returns to Eatonville, Florida. She tells Pheoby about how her grandmother insisted she marry a man named Logan, who would provide social status and security. He did not treat her well, so she ran off with a smooth talker named Joe. He became a storekeeper, a landlord, a postmaster, and the mayor of an all-black area in Eatonville. Joe wanted her to fit into the position as mayor's wife and will not let her socialize with the common people in town. Janie finally stands up to him, but he gets ill and dies. Even though she enjoyed her independence, when a man named Tea cake came along she married him and left to Jacksonville. He steals from her and leaves her the first night they are married. He ends up coming back and apologizing. He treats her well, but she ends up having to shoot him when he gets bit by a dog with rabies and tries to kill her. I included this story in the blog because it includes an important message about being independent and speaking up for yourself. Janie was constantly being quieted by her husbands. They prevented her from speaking up and treated her like an object. This shows how important it is to be around people who value you and want to hear your opinion. A relationship should be equal. At first, Janie relied too much on her husbands and let them push her around. She finally learned to stand up for herself and found someone that treated her better. The novel teaches students to avoid relationships where one has all the control and does not treat the other person with respect. The novel represents the power of speech. This story should be used to teach students to use their voice, but to also have control over it. The author has an interesting writing style where it is a narration told with a Southern black dialect. This helps bring the students further into the story. They will have a better idea of the culture and the language that would be used if the story was live. It represents the focus of the story by showing more of Janie's individuality. The way the story is written helps the readers to have a better understanding of Janie's situation.
Problems that may come up When Teaching Their Eyes Were Watching God
Some parents may not see the sexually explicit and abusive content as appropriate. By making sure students and parents are aware that the teacher is having students read the book, it should help avoid conflict. Teachers should make sure they have an alternate assignment for students who are not comfortable reading it. Another problem with teaching the novel is that it may be difficult to read for some students. The dialect can be hard to approach because it has certain features of pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar. Having the students read the book out loud as a class will help them get used to reading with the Southern dialect. The more they read the more adjusted they will be to the language. Have the class read the book in sections and go over the events to make sure all of the students are on the same page.
This website includes the summary, character descriptions, themes, and quotes from Their Eyes Were Watching God.
Hurston's biography.
Lesson plan for Their Eyes Were Watching God.
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