Genre One ~ Book Review
Introduction to Teaching Their Eyes Were Watching God
Book Review
Sam Halvorsen
Wake Forest University
Summary
Protagonist Janie Crawford is introduced to the readers of Their Eyes Were Watching Godsilently, without a word making her way through town amid the clamorous gossip of her neighbors, the townsfolk of Eatonville Florida. The cacophony of others surrounds Janie’s entrance, but the one thing everyone wants is her voice, her story.
After prodding by her best friend, Janie recounts her life story, immediately establishes a conflict between herself and the other characters. Throughout the plot Janie searches for a beautiful romance, her search often resulting in hidden complications. Early chapters present Janie’s entanglement in an arranged marriage, as other believe Janie does not have enough life experience to make decisions about marriage herself. This established the theme that from experience power can be derived. The novel focuses on this imbalanced system of power in regards specifically to gender and race.
The arranged marriage between Janie and her boring husband Logan Killicks does not last long, ending as she runs off to the all-black town of Eatonville with the charismatic Joe Starks. Despite their differences, both men have something in common; they want to control Janie. Killicks and Starks also share a misogynistic view of women’s intelligence, believing them to be incapable. Janie runs away from Killicks and disparages Starks on his deathbed.
In great contrast to her first two husbands, Janie’s third husband nicknamed ‘Tea Cake’ respects her intelligence, and her individualism. Author Zora Neale Hurston establishes that Tea Cake is not Janie’s reward for persisting through two bad marriages but an option she now has due to the power she has gained through her life experiences. She can now demand proper communication and freedom as she is financially independent and does not need protecting. Alas, Janie’s happiness with Tea Cake is short lived. Both characters nearly drown in a hurricane and a rabid dog bites Tea Cake. After contracting rabies Tea Cake becomes unstable, losing the positive characteristics that differentiated him from Janie’s previous husbands. Hurston shows his decline into a new man, jealous and controlling. Janie shoots a deranged Tea Cake in self-defense amid a fit of rabies-fueled rage. The novel has now come full circle, as she returns to Eatonville where she once lived with Joe Starks, as the townsfolk gossip about what her story could be.
Essential Question
Their Eyes Were Watching Goddraws attention to so many topics of significance. Zora Neale Hurston explores the interweaving of race and gender, of sexuality and purity, of love and greed, of voice and of silence, all in connection to power. Additionally, Hurston criticizes societal expectations of women’s happiness, putting it second to women’s safety and health, instead of having both valued equally. This can be seen directly in the character of Janie’s grandmother, Nanny. This is found again further in the novel in the general approval of others towards Janie’s relationships, despite those relationships not meeting her emotional needs. There is also an important branch of questioning brought up through an analysis of group dynamics in comparison to the dynamic of people when singled out as individuals. Evidence of this theme is noticeable amongst the gossiping townsfolk and the courtroom attendees. Each of these themes is of great consequence to the reader; however what I believe to be the most critical question presented in this text centers on power dynamics in relationships. What constitutes a healthy balance of power between two people?
Evidence of power imbalances between Janie and her first two husbands are easily pointed out, but my hope is that with essential questions focused on the nature of the power of individuals in and outside of the definition of their relationships will lead students to question further the impact of society on what seems to be a personal connection. Even though Tea Cake is presented as Janie’s true love, is their relationship one of balance? Their relationship is easily compared to Janie’s past relationships, but when evaluated alone, evidence of societal influences creep into their partnership. These essential questions will also assist students in evaluating their own relationships, both romantic and platonic, and to see how power can permeate into such relationships.
Entering, Exploring, Extending
In the initial engagement with the text, I believe in the importance of familiarizing students with the characters, as well as major themes so they can begin the process of associating with the essential questions. To first establish this background information in an engaging way the ‘Entering’ activity that I would use would be to either break students into pairs, each pair receiving several quotes of dialog from various characters. Around the room would be printouts of the characters along with three bullets of description, and students have to decide which quote they believe lines up with which character. This activity allows for movement around the classroom, using competition as a motivator to see which group can align all of the quotes correctly the fastest. Movement around the classroom allows students to get out some energy, which then permits for a more traditional powerpoint introduction to the characters and plot summary.
In addition to entry activities in order to introduce the novel, I would employ an entry activity to help students familiarize themselves with the language of the novel, as the phonetic dialog can provide a challenge to some. Allowing students class time to work with either AAVE examples from an outside source or by using select pieces of dialog from the book, I would initiate the rewriting of said quotes into language the students are more familiar with. While most of the dialog in Their Eyes Were Watching Godis easy enough to understand, familiarity will smoothen the reading process for students that are unaccustomed to such vocabulary.
One method to assist students in the exploration of the text would be to require dual journal entries for certain sections of reading. Selecting certain chapters to require dual journal entries as a way to enforce a close reading of the text. Additionally, when focusing on Zora Neale Hurston’s use of metaphors, requiring students to do at least one journal entry will promote awareness of such literary tactics during readings of following chapters, as well as further establishing the definition of the literary tactic.
Another method to promote exploration of the text is to have “three cents” discussions about character motivation. Zora Neale Hurston purposefully writes the male characters of Logan Killicks and Joe Starks as poor communicators of their emotions, which allows for debate of their motivations and inner conflicts outside of the one-sided way that Janie perceives them. Students will have to cite in-text examples of to support their arguments, however, a deeper than the surface level of understanding is necessary to form an opinion on their emotional states as it is often left unclear.
To extend the students understanding of the text the teaching strategy I would implement would involve the whole class coming together to brainstorm a recent media piece, movie or TV show, in which themes present in Their Eyes Were Watching Godare also present. This bridges the essential questions discussed in relation to the novel to be applied outside of the classroom. Discussion will follow a QAR format beginning with; What similarities are there in the media piece to Their Eyes Are Watching God? In what ways does power matter in the media we just watched, and why does it matter? Are there themes of power shown in this media piece that can also be found in your life? Why do power imbalances have such impacts in society? This also facilitates discussion on how power dynamics have changed since the creation of the book, but also what similarities there still are. After brainstorming a list of media, students can choose from the list which media they want to delve deeper into, choose between writing a short comparative paper or creating a poster to present and share with the class.
Critical Theory
Many critical theories have been written in response to Their Eyes Were Watching Godafter its revival in the literary community in the 1960s. One of the most common critical lenses it has been analyzed under is the feminist theory. Feminist theory discusses images of women and the feminine in literature and how women are portrayed and differentiated from men. It focuses on raising consciousness-surrounding exploitation, both sexual and non-sexual. Their Eyes Were Watching Godcan be seen under the feminist theory as an empowering book, with a female protagonist undergoing many hardships but persevering despite it all. However, some criticism of Their Eyes Were Watching Godunder the feminist theory is negative as the book's inclusion of violence against women often lacks follow up discussion or criticism of the male figures perpetuating the violence. Other debates under the feminist theory in Their Eyes Were Watching Godinclude questions like; in which of Janie’s relationships, if any, did she have agency? How were the men in the novel portrayed in relation to the women in terms of both their descriptions and their actions? Does Janie gain a voice throughout the book? Is possessing a voice an important part of having power and agency, and if so, how do Janie’s purposeful silences give or take away from her agency?
A second critical theory with which Their Eyes Were Watching Godhas often been approached is the formalist theory. The formalist theory focuses on how the form of a literary work, autonomous of its historical context, demonstrates importance. Zora Neale Hurston’s decision to use the phonetic spelling of AAVE words in the dialog of this novel has a drastic impact on the reader’s experience. This literary choice gave significance to the African American community, showcasing that AAVE could be a part of the canon of formal literature. Another formalist approach to this novel involves the structure of the novel as a story being recanted to a friend; how does this perspective change the objective truths of the story? As the reader, this is an important concept to consider, as omissions and moral objectivity can drastically change a plot.
Book Review
Sam Halvorsen
Wake Forest University
Summary
Protagonist Janie Crawford is introduced to the readers of Their Eyes Were Watching Godsilently, without a word making her way through town amid the clamorous gossip of her neighbors, the townsfolk of Eatonville Florida. The cacophony of others surrounds Janie’s entrance, but the one thing everyone wants is her voice, her story.
After prodding by her best friend, Janie recounts her life story, immediately establishes a conflict between herself and the other characters. Throughout the plot Janie searches for a beautiful romance, her search often resulting in hidden complications. Early chapters present Janie’s entanglement in an arranged marriage, as other believe Janie does not have enough life experience to make decisions about marriage herself. This established the theme that from experience power can be derived. The novel focuses on this imbalanced system of power in regards specifically to gender and race.
The arranged marriage between Janie and her boring husband Logan Killicks does not last long, ending as she runs off to the all-black town of Eatonville with the charismatic Joe Starks. Despite their differences, both men have something in common; they want to control Janie. Killicks and Starks also share a misogynistic view of women’s intelligence, believing them to be incapable. Janie runs away from Killicks and disparages Starks on his deathbed.
In great contrast to her first two husbands, Janie’s third husband nicknamed ‘Tea Cake’ respects her intelligence, and her individualism. Author Zora Neale Hurston establishes that Tea Cake is not Janie’s reward for persisting through two bad marriages but an option she now has due to the power she has gained through her life experiences. She can now demand proper communication and freedom as she is financially independent and does not need protecting. Alas, Janie’s happiness with Tea Cake is short lived. Both characters nearly drown in a hurricane and a rabid dog bites Tea Cake. After contracting rabies Tea Cake becomes unstable, losing the positive characteristics that differentiated him from Janie’s previous husbands. Hurston shows his decline into a new man, jealous and controlling. Janie shoots a deranged Tea Cake in self-defense amid a fit of rabies-fueled rage. The novel has now come full circle, as she returns to Eatonville where she once lived with Joe Starks, as the townsfolk gossip about what her story could be.
Essential Question
Their Eyes Were Watching Goddraws attention to so many topics of significance. Zora Neale Hurston explores the interweaving of race and gender, of sexuality and purity, of love and greed, of voice and of silence, all in connection to power. Additionally, Hurston criticizes societal expectations of women’s happiness, putting it second to women’s safety and health, instead of having both valued equally. This can be seen directly in the character of Janie’s grandmother, Nanny. This is found again further in the novel in the general approval of others towards Janie’s relationships, despite those relationships not meeting her emotional needs. There is also an important branch of questioning brought up through an analysis of group dynamics in comparison to the dynamic of people when singled out as individuals. Evidence of this theme is noticeable amongst the gossiping townsfolk and the courtroom attendees. Each of these themes is of great consequence to the reader; however what I believe to be the most critical question presented in this text centers on power dynamics in relationships. What constitutes a healthy balance of power between two people?
Evidence of power imbalances between Janie and her first two husbands are easily pointed out, but my hope is that with essential questions focused on the nature of the power of individuals in and outside of the definition of their relationships will lead students to question further the impact of society on what seems to be a personal connection. Even though Tea Cake is presented as Janie’s true love, is their relationship one of balance? Their relationship is easily compared to Janie’s past relationships, but when evaluated alone, evidence of societal influences creep into their partnership. These essential questions will also assist students in evaluating their own relationships, both romantic and platonic, and to see how power can permeate into such relationships.
Entering, Exploring, Extending
In the initial engagement with the text, I believe in the importance of familiarizing students with the characters, as well as major themes so they can begin the process of associating with the essential questions. To first establish this background information in an engaging way the ‘Entering’ activity that I would use would be to either break students into pairs, each pair receiving several quotes of dialog from various characters. Around the room would be printouts of the characters along with three bullets of description, and students have to decide which quote they believe lines up with which character. This activity allows for movement around the classroom, using competition as a motivator to see which group can align all of the quotes correctly the fastest. Movement around the classroom allows students to get out some energy, which then permits for a more traditional powerpoint introduction to the characters and plot summary.
In addition to entry activities in order to introduce the novel, I would employ an entry activity to help students familiarize themselves with the language of the novel, as the phonetic dialog can provide a challenge to some. Allowing students class time to work with either AAVE examples from an outside source or by using select pieces of dialog from the book, I would initiate the rewriting of said quotes into language the students are more familiar with. While most of the dialog in Their Eyes Were Watching Godis easy enough to understand, familiarity will smoothen the reading process for students that are unaccustomed to such vocabulary.
One method to assist students in the exploration of the text would be to require dual journal entries for certain sections of reading. Selecting certain chapters to require dual journal entries as a way to enforce a close reading of the text. Additionally, when focusing on Zora Neale Hurston’s use of metaphors, requiring students to do at least one journal entry will promote awareness of such literary tactics during readings of following chapters, as well as further establishing the definition of the literary tactic.
Another method to promote exploration of the text is to have “three cents” discussions about character motivation. Zora Neale Hurston purposefully writes the male characters of Logan Killicks and Joe Starks as poor communicators of their emotions, which allows for debate of their motivations and inner conflicts outside of the one-sided way that Janie perceives them. Students will have to cite in-text examples of to support their arguments, however, a deeper than the surface level of understanding is necessary to form an opinion on their emotional states as it is often left unclear.
To extend the students understanding of the text the teaching strategy I would implement would involve the whole class coming together to brainstorm a recent media piece, movie or TV show, in which themes present in Their Eyes Were Watching Godare also present. This bridges the essential questions discussed in relation to the novel to be applied outside of the classroom. Discussion will follow a QAR format beginning with; What similarities are there in the media piece to Their Eyes Are Watching God? In what ways does power matter in the media we just watched, and why does it matter? Are there themes of power shown in this media piece that can also be found in your life? Why do power imbalances have such impacts in society? This also facilitates discussion on how power dynamics have changed since the creation of the book, but also what similarities there still are. After brainstorming a list of media, students can choose from the list which media they want to delve deeper into, choose between writing a short comparative paper or creating a poster to present and share with the class.
Critical Theory
Many critical theories have been written in response to Their Eyes Were Watching Godafter its revival in the literary community in the 1960s. One of the most common critical lenses it has been analyzed under is the feminist theory. Feminist theory discusses images of women and the feminine in literature and how women are portrayed and differentiated from men. It focuses on raising consciousness-surrounding exploitation, both sexual and non-sexual. Their Eyes Were Watching Godcan be seen under the feminist theory as an empowering book, with a female protagonist undergoing many hardships but persevering despite it all. However, some criticism of Their Eyes Were Watching Godunder the feminist theory is negative as the book's inclusion of violence against women often lacks follow up discussion or criticism of the male figures perpetuating the violence. Other debates under the feminist theory in Their Eyes Were Watching Godinclude questions like; in which of Janie’s relationships, if any, did she have agency? How were the men in the novel portrayed in relation to the women in terms of both their descriptions and their actions? Does Janie gain a voice throughout the book? Is possessing a voice an important part of having power and agency, and if so, how do Janie’s purposeful silences give or take away from her agency?
A second critical theory with which Their Eyes Were Watching Godhas often been approached is the formalist theory. The formalist theory focuses on how the form of a literary work, autonomous of its historical context, demonstrates importance. Zora Neale Hurston’s decision to use the phonetic spelling of AAVE words in the dialog of this novel has a drastic impact on the reader’s experience. This literary choice gave significance to the African American community, showcasing that AAVE could be a part of the canon of formal literature. Another formalist approach to this novel involves the structure of the novel as a story being recanted to a friend; how does this perspective change the objective truths of the story? As the reader, this is an important concept to consider, as omissions and moral objectivity can drastically change a plot.