Their Eyes Were Watching God

published	1990 by Harper Perennial
binding	Paperback
isbn	0060916508 (isbn13: 9780060916503)
pages	224
description	At the height of the Harlem Renaissance during the 1930s, Zora Neale Hurston was the preeminent black woman writer in the United States. She was a som...more [close] At the height of the Harlem Renaissance during the 1930s, Zora Neale Hurston was the preeminent black woman writer in the United States. She was a sometime-collaborator with Langston Hughes and a fierce rival of Richard Wright. Her stories appeared in major magazines, she consulted on Hollywood screenplays, and she penned four novels, an autobiography, countless essays, and two books on black mythology. Yet by the late 1950s, Hurston was living in obscurity, working as a maid in a Florida hotel. She died in 1960 in a Welfare home, was buried in an unmarked grave, and quickly faded from literary consciousness until 1975 when Alice Walker almost single-handedly revived interest in her work. Of Hurston's fiction, Their Eyes Were Watching God is arguably the best-known and perhaps the most controversial. The novel follows the fortunes of Janie Crawford, a woman living in the black town of Eaton, Florida. Hurston sets up her characters and her locale in the first chapter, which, along with the last, acts as a framing device for the story of Janie's life. Unlike Wright and Ralph Ellison, Hurston does not write explicitly about black people in the context of a white world--a fact that earned her scathing criticism from the social realists--but she doesn't ignore the impact of black-white relations either: <blockquote> It was the time for sitting on porches beside the road. It was the time to hear things and talk. These sitters had been tongueless, earless, eyeless conveniences all day long. Mules and other brutes had occupied their skins. But now, the sun and the bossman were gone, so the skins felt powerful and human. They became lords of sounds and lesser things. They passed nations through their mouths. They sat in judgment. </blockquote> One person the citizens of Eaton are inclined to judge is Janie Crawford, who has married three men and been tried for the murder of one of them. Janie feels no compulsion to justify herself to the town, but she does explain herself to her friend, Phoeby, with the implicit understanding that Phoeby can "tell 'em what Ah say if you wants to. Dat's just de same as me 'cause mah tongue is in mah friend's mouf." Hurston's use of dialect enraged other African American writers such as Wright, who accused her of pandering to white readers by giving them the black stereotypes they expected. Decades later, however, outrage has been replaced by admiration for her depictions of black life, and especially the lives of black women. In Their Eyes Were Watching God Zora Neale Hurston breathes humanity into both her men and women, and allows them to speak in their own voices. --Alix Wilber [close]
date added	02-07-07 edit book

find at: Amazon | Half.com | Barnes & Noble | Abebooks | more...

discuss this book

topics	replies	last activity
Two Books Here...?	14	04/18/2008 02:22PM

new topic

groups with this book

view all groups »

friend reviews (0)

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

lists with this book

Best Southern Literature

22 books | 13 voters

More...

other reviews (showing 1-20 of 14051)

Amber rated it:

(review of isbn 0061120065)

05/15/08

“Their Eyes Were Watching God” is one of the best books I have read throughout my high school career. I usually don’t like books that have the country “slang” dialogue, because it takes me longer to read and comprehend. Even thought Zora Neale Hurston wrote this way in her novel, the was so interesting to me that I continued reading it even though I’m not accustomed to that type of writing. Every paragraph brought out my imagination, and I often found myself picturing the story in my...more “Their Eyes Were Watching God” is one of the best books I have read throughout my high school career. I usually don’t like books that have the country “slang” dialogue, because it takes me longer to read and comprehend. Even thought Zora Neale Hurston wrote this way in her novel, the was so interesting to me that I continued reading it even though I’m not accustomed to that type of writing. Every paragraph brought out my imagination, and I often found myself picturing the story in my head as if it were a movie.
This novel took place around the 1920’s in the state of Florida. Janie, the main character was a beautiful young African-American girl with long silky hair like a white person. She was often praised and adored for her long beautiful hair. She was raised by her grandmother who was something like a maid. They lived in the back of a white family’s yard. Janie had never really known she was black until she saw her first photograph standing next to all the other white kids, and she realized she didn’t look anything like them.
Janie’s grandmother always wanted the best for her granddaughter, especially when it came to men and her financial future. A young man named Logan Killicks was the rich man in their town. He was intelligent, he had money, and land, but one thing Logan was lacking was good looks. All Janie’s grandmother was for her was a stable home and financial security when she could no longer care for Janie. Logan and Janie ended up getting married. Janie did this mainly to please her grandmother and make her happy. Later on things began to get rocky in their marriage, and Janie ran off with a man named Jody Starks who was roaming through her neighborhood one day. Jody Starks was very prosperous and became the mayor of his own town called Eatonville. Although Starks had money and power, he was the jealous type and became very controlling over Janie. He even went to the extreme of making her tie up her hair in the store they opened so men who came through could not admire it. Jody later died of kidney complications. After Jody died Janie met a nice young man named Vergibil Woods, but better known as “Tea Cake”. Janie loved Tea Cake with all her heart and Tea Cake loved her equally if not more. They would later move to the Everglades and be happily together as long as they lived.
Zora Neale Hurston has one of the most unique styles of writing. She leads you on many times in the story to make you contemplate what was going to happen next. An example of this is when she shows how all of Janie’s marriages start off so well but ended on a sour note. Many readers probably would have never expected those outcomes, because I know I didn’t. The way Zora Neale Hurston uses the southern dialogue to give you the depiction of where the story was set and how they lived was very interesting.
This story can appeal to many age groups and ethnicities. But it mainly focuses on African-Americans who lived in the south. It tells you about the way blacks were secluded from whites, and basically had their own cities. Throughout this novel you never really hear about any whites, except at the beginning with Janie and her white friends. It also shows how blacks had to employ each other and themselves by opening shops in their towns, farm, or raise enough food for just their family. I am pretty sure if you ask someone who was around back then they would be able to relate to this story in some way.
In certain categories this could be considered a great American novel, but in some categories it is lacking. This does not quite fit the depiction with the family who has achieved the life of the “American Dream”. There will never be a great American novel in my opinion. The great American novel will have to target more than one group of people and that may be very difficult to do. This book for example is more appealing to blacks, and therefore it may not reach out to other cultures as it does the black community. Although it may not be a great American novel it does have some of the qualities. It includes suspense, humor, and a realistic character base.
I had a very strong personal connection to this book and Zora Neale Hurston. Me being a black young woman who lives in the south is probably one of the main reasons. Many times when I was reading this book it made me want to put myself in Janie’s shoes and feel, see, and hear what she was going through. Books like this make me motivated to keep going. After all of her failed attempts at finding love Janie kept going. This keeps me going and always gives me something to look upon when I get discouraged. Three of four of my grandparents are still living today and I sometimes wonder how it was when their parents were alive back then. I wonder if their lives were similar to some of the things that happened in this story. I would definitely recommend this book to everyone, especially teenagers who are in need of a life lesson.
...less

Like this review? yes

add a comment

Alexis rated it:

(review of isbn 0061120065)

05/09/08

recommended to Alexis by: Chad Barwick
recommends it for: Everyone

Have you ever tried to discover yourself, even if all odds were against you? Their Eyes Were Watching God is all about a lady named Janie road to self discovery. It was not a easy road to take either. The story was set in the 1930’s in Florida. Janie is not only a woman, but she is also bi-racial. At times, because of her ethnicity, things were even more complicated for her.
Zora Neale Hurston dealt with a lot of different issues that are still common in today’s society. One of the...more Have you ever tried to discover yourself, even if all odds were against you? Their Eyes Were Watching God is all about a lady named Janie road to self discovery. It was not a easy road to take either. The story was set in the 1930’s in Florida. Janie is not only a woman, but she is also bi-racial. At times, because of her ethnicity, things were even more complicated for her.
Zora Neale Hurston dealt with a lot of different issues that are still common in today’s society. One of the first issues that you confront is love and marriage. Everybody has their own separate idea about love and what love is. With the high divorce rates going on in America now, more people really need to know and love themselves first, before searching for their own ideal of love. Hurston beautifully illustrates that throughout the book.
Janie was forced to marry at the age of sixteen to a man who didn’t really love her. That part of the story helps me relate with all of the people around the world who don’t get to chose love, but to whom it is forced upon by arranged marriage. Janie eventually gets out of that marriage and soon enough she is married again.
Have you ever wanted love, but all your partner was concerned about was having a trophy wife? Well, that’s exactly how Janie’s second marriage went. Jody, the husband, is on his own personal quest for power and money. I believe that happens a lot in today’s society. Especially with the entire power couples craze going on. Unfortunately, when you want love and your spouse wants power and money, a lot of the things you want are put on hold. Jody also had a serious problem. He viewed woman as subordinate to men. Woman couldn’t stand up or speak for themselves in his viewpoint. What Janie learned from this marriage was a very critical point in her journey for self discovery.
I wont ruin what happens in the third marriage, but think about the previous two and then make a good guess about how the third will be. Another issue that Hurston addresses in this book is racism and prejudices. I am a bi-racial child, and I could absolutely relate to this issue and the way Hurston confronted it is a classic. Even back in the 1930’s there was racism between the blacks and whites. Better yet, did you know that there was a clash between the light skinned and dark skinned blacks also? That still continues today. Dark skinned blacks believe that light skinned blacks think that they are better and so on.
Hurston illustrated this clash through a character named Mrs. Turner. Look out for her because she is one tough cookie, bent in her stubborn ways and views. Mrs. Turner has Caucasian looking features, and she praises Janie for her Caucasian looking features. Unfortunately Janie’s third husband, Tea Cake, is a really dark skinned brother. Mrs. Turner is set on breaking them up and hooking Janie up with her brother. I’m sure that everyone out there has met somebody who is like this. Actually, you can relate this towards the problem that some people have with biracial relationships. Have you ever seen a white woman and a black man together? Then of course you hear someone in the background, claiming that all the good men are being taken by the white people and so on. After seeing how Hurston handles this issue, I guarantee you that your outlook will change.
Hurston is also known for using a lot of little discreet symbols in this book. I will give a hint: Janie’s hair is one of the symbols. As you read the book though, you will recognize a lot more of them. A lot of this book relates to Zora Neale Hurstons own life actually. Hurston was born and raised in Florida. Hurston’s mother, like Janie’s, was absent throughout her life. After reading Hurston’s autobiography, you will realize a lot more similarities.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is old enough to read and especially to those who are about to get married.Everyone needs to go on their own separate journey to self discovery. Now, how everyone starts their journey and where it takes them will be different, but I promise you that reading this book will be a great starting point.
Another plus in this book is the language. An example of the language would be “Well, Tony tells me tuh humor her along. He moved here from up de State hopin’ tuh change her, but it aint.” The different character names in this book will have you rolling with laughter also. Basically, this book contains the perfect recipe for a great read. It has humor, drama, mystery, and more humor!
...less

Like this review? yes

add a comment

Ali rated it:

(review of isbn 0061120065)

05/09/08

Ali Crownover
Great American Novel 3
May 9, 2008

Book Review: Their Eyes Were Watching God
An author by the name of Zora Neale Hurston who was “a utopian, who held that black Americans could attain sovereignty from white American society and all its bigotry” (lkwdpl.org)wrote a revolutionary story about a girl’s quest to find love. This novel, “Their Eyes Were Watching God,” is now known as Hurston’s 1937 breakout that forever changed American History.
Janie Crawford, the m...more Ali Crownover
Great American Novel 3
May 9, 2008

Book Review: Their Eyes Were Watching God
An author by the name of Zora Neale Hurston who was “a utopian, who held that black Americans could attain sovereignty from white American society and all its bigotry” (lkwdpl.org)wrote a revolutionary story about a girl’s quest to find love. This novel, “Their Eyes Were Watching God,” is now known as Hurston’s 1937 breakout that forever changed American History.
Janie Crawford, the main character of “Their Eyes Were Watching God,” is a mixed woman who was raised with many different kids, much like her creator who was raised as the fifth of eight children, by a white woman and her grandmother. Throughout her youth she played with white children and in fact, during one of the cutest instances of this novel, Janie, at the innocent age of six, looked at a photograph and learned that she was colored. Like Zora, Janie had the spirit of her absent mother, and often longed for a more spiritual connection with the natural side of life.
Janie’s first experience with love and marriage came after she was caught kissing Johnny Taylor over the gatepost. The writer beautifully wrote the following passage to describe what Janie thought marriage exemplified. “She was stretched on her back beneath the pear trees soaking in the alto chant of the visiting bees, the gold of the sun and the panting breath of the breeze when the inaudible voice of it all came to her. She saw a dust bearing bee sink into the sanctum of a bloom; the thousand sister-calyxes arch to meet the love embrace and the ecstatic shiver of the tree from root to tiniest branch creaming in every blossom and frothing with delight. So this was marriage!” Although Janie Starks and Johnny Taylor did not work out, Janie did not give up hoping that one day, like the bee, she would find the one person that would make her truly happy.
After marrying a man named Logan Killicks, who would bring Janie nothing but comfort and stability, Janie found herself once more longing for the love that had not come to her. While in a natural setting she met Joe Starks, a man that promised her the moon and stars.
Janie quickly left Killicks for Starks and they set out to create the town of Eatonville. Like Janie, Hurston was a part of the first ever African-American incorporated town, Eatonville. Zora’s father, John Hurston, became the mayor of Eatonville in 1887. This utopian, black society greatly influenced Zora in writing “Their Eyes Were Watching God.” The settlement became a part of who Hurston was and therefore a part of who Janie was.
Once Joe and Janie Starks became rich, and had obtained the biggest house and supreme status over the other inhabitants of Eatonville, all romance was lost. When the love had completely left their relationship, Janie, known for her long gorgeous hair, was once again bound to tying up her hair in a rag while out in public. Every time she wore her hair tied up it was a sign that her free soul was trapped. Hurston uses little symbols such as Janie’s hair to make huge statements about black womanhood.
After Joe passes away Janie finally finds the bee to her pear tree. He is a younger man by the strange name of Tea Cake. The two of them flirt constantly in childish ways and it is with him that she discovers how fun attraction can be. After a long night of them playing chess and him “jumping her king” Tea Cake left Janie connected with nature again. It is at the end of this chapter that Zora Neale Hurston writes one of her most beautiful lines “So she sat on the porch and watched the moon rise. Soon its amber fluid was drenching the earth, and quenching the thirst of the day,” thus proving Janie’s found again oneness with nature. Tea Cake and Janie have an adventurous, fun-filled relationship. They are in love and everyone around them can sense it. Hurston puts a unique twist on the end of the story and turns the one thing that Janie loves the most, nature, against her. But, do Janie and Tea Cake stay together or does Mother Nature come between them?
The author writes “Their Eyes Were Watching God” in the most beautiful and poetic style. She begins almost every chapter with breathtakingly meaningful sentences such as “Ships at a distance have every man’s wish on board” and “There are years that ask questions and years that answer.” I recommend reading this story not only for the captivating story but also for the excellent language!
...less

Like this review? yes

add a comment

Mary rated it:

(review of isbn 0061120065)

05/07/08

Read in March, 2008

Zora Neale Hurston strikes a cord with almost every reader in her book Their Eyes Were Watching God, a bitter-sweet story about society's outcast looking for love. Set in the 1930’s in Florida it is a beautiful story of a brave half black, half white woman determined to find her place no matter the cost. Janie is wise beyond her years; the one thing standing in her way, unexpectedly, is her beautiful outward appearance.
Janie is the result of a rape; she was left by her mother and raised by ...more Zora Neale Hurston strikes a cord with almost every reader in her book Their Eyes Were Watching God, a bitter-sweet story about society's outcast looking for love. Set in the 1930’s in Florida it is a beautiful story of a brave half black, half white woman determined to find her place no matter the cost. Janie is wise beyond her years; the one thing standing in her way, unexpectedly, is her beautiful outward appearance.
Janie is the result of a rape; she was left by her mother and raised by her grandmother. When Janie first finds love it is between a pear tree blossom and a bee, she describes it in perfect harmony in the first few pages when she says, "She saw a dust bearing bee sink into the sanctum of a bloom; the thousand sister-calyxes arch to meet the love embrace and the ecstatic shiver of the tree from root to tiniest branch creaming in every blossom and frothing with delight. So this was marriage!" Her grandmother’s only goal is to keep her granddaughter safe, which she believes can only happen if she is married. Soon thereafter Janie is given as a wife to a horribly abusive man, Logan Killicks. Her struggles continue throughout her life while she continues her search for perfect love between a man and a woman. She recalls her grandmother telling her before her marriage, that only love comes after marriage. However, Janie does not find love with Killicks and instead, she beings chasing her dream from one town to the next and following her heart the entire way.
Finding a man is not the problem, she soon finds Jody. The two move to Eatonville, Florida and upon their arrival they purchase 200 acres of land for Eatonville, and the people of the small town name Jody major. Every man wants Janie because of her beautiful, coffee cream complexion. A jealous Jody forces her to tie up her beautiful hair in a hair rag while working in the store, so no man could see it but himself. Janie attracts the men which makes the women extremely jealous of her. Mrs. Turner, a woman she met in the Everglades is envious of Janie and her complexion, but her opinion is probably influenced mostly on the fact that Mrs. Turner looks as if a ‘cow has kicked her from behind.’ Most are jealous of her features that most resemble a white person. Janie’s struggles are not just between white and black, she is not fully accepted by African Americans because of her almost white appearances.
When Janie’s second husband dies, she is warned by many to stay away from Tea Cake, a young man planning on stealing the heart of a much older Janie. He takes her fishing and plays the guitar and piano for her beautifully. They meet when he begins helping out around the store after Jody passes away. He speaks one night to Janie in one of the most poetic lines in the entire book when he says “You’se something tuh make uh man forgit tuh git old and forgit tuh die.” Tea Cake takes Janie on the adventure of her life as they travel south in hopes to make money. Tea Cake shows the ultimate sacrifice for Janie in an exciting scene of bravery which saves her life.
Hurston was a native to Eatonville Florida; her life slightly resembles the one written in Their Eyes Were Watching God. Hurston’s father moved the family to Eatonville and he soon became mayor, similarly to the story. Eatonville was one of the first integrated African American areas at the time. Eatonville Florida is portrayed as a safe haven for many blacks throughout the story. One of the most compelling parts of this story is the natural speech. Hurston’s brilliant dialect brings to life each character making it even easier to imagine being black in Eatonville in the 1930’s.
This book is real love. It proves love and happiness are not material things that can be purchased and it is a beautiful rendition of what perfect love is, and what perfect love can do. It can change lives, it changed Janie’s after all. This heart warming story teaches the life long lesson that should be spread world wide "You must tell ‘em dat love ain’t somethin’ lak uh grindstone dat’s de same thing everywhere and do de same thing tuh everything it touch. Love is lak de sea.” Meaning not all love is the same, it comes in different ways, different feelings, and changes and molds just as the sea changes with each beach it touches. It is a beautiful story of love, and finding yourself for any woman who believes she deserves something more.
...less

Like this review? yes

add a comment

Kara rated it:

(review of isbn 0061120065)

05/08/08

Read in March, 2008

recommended to Kara by: Mr. B
recommends it for: anyone who likes a great book:)

Kara Deeb
Great American novel- 5
May 9, 2008
Book review
Zora Neale Hurston’s novel “Their eyes were Watching god” is a powerful book about Janie maturing and finding herself and who she is. It is a story about relationships and happiness that Janie longs for along with marriage. She struggles with her relationships in a journey to feel wholesome. Instead Janie finds herself alone in the end, but not before finding true love and happiness with Tea Cake. Her relationship with Jody...more Kara Deeb
Great American novel- 5
May 9, 2008
Book review
Zora Neale Hurston’s novel “Their eyes were Watching god” is a powerful book about Janie maturing and finding herself and who she is. It is a story about relationships and happiness that Janie longs for along with marriage. She struggles with her relationships in a journey to feel wholesome. Instead Janie finds herself alone in the end, but not before finding true love and happiness with Tea Cake. Her relationship with Jody and Logan keep her from finding herself and being free, but tea cake shows her true love and happiness. She finds her independence and feels content and satisfied after a long journey that allowed her to grow and learn. She discovers herself through her life struggles and finally feels fulfilled although she is alone. Zora Neale Hurston has a unique and beautiful way of language and dialect throughout the novel. Her descriptions are in depth and poetic. The pear tree is a very symbolic description that uses Zora Neale Hurston’s unique style of writing. It is a unique style that brings attention to the story and grabs your attention.
“She was stretched on her back beneath the pear tree soaking in the alto chant of the visiting bees, the gold of the sun, and the panting breath of the breeze…..”
This excerpt is a piece from Zora’s poetic description of the symbolic pear tree that describes Janie’s sexual awakening. It is a very intense story that catches the reader and brings you into the struggles and joy experienced in Janie’s world. The story’s tone allows the reader to enjoy it in a relaxed atmosphere that the novel takes place. The deep South is a relatable place for me because that is where I was born and raised. Although I was not there, reading the description brings you into the story and all of its obstacles, making you feel as if you are experiencing it with Janie herself. It is an emotional book that has ups and downs and allows you to feel a part of Janie’s life. Although I did not find a personal relation to Janie and her life, I did enjoy the book and felt as if I was there with her. It is a novel that captivates you and makes you want to finish it.
The books dialect was a unique and powerful way of writing, but was often times hard to follow because of the way it was written. It is a serious novel that gives you a sense of empowerment and is in enjoyable book. It replicates Zora Neale Hurston’s life and the southern black culture that Hurston became known for. She broke the barrier for typical white dialogue and introduced something new and beautiful. Her use of language allows for you to dive into the culture and world of Janie and the Southern black speech. It allowed the characters coming to life and becoming relatable. Hurston’s powerful language use is her identity and uniqueness.
“Their eyes were Watching God “is an excellent novel that could be enjoyed by any reader. I loved the plot and southern feel. It is an excellent depiction of the Southern Black culture and is very enjoyable to all. It opens up your mind to the culture and allows you to see how they live and speak. It is a powerful and enlightening novel that changes your mood as you read it and allows you to become entirely focused on the book and its characters. Its characters are so in depth that you could relate to in your everyday life. Janie’s Nanny is like a, mother figure to her and takes care of her, giving her advice on life and love. She is a relatable character because many of us have that mother figure that guides us and loves unconditionally. Logan and Jody are relatable as well because many have been in bad relationships that fall apart, but only help us grow stronger and mature. They keep her from becoming who she really is and should be, but in the end help her to learn about herself so she can break free and be who she wants to be. This intriguing novel will make you want to continue reading. I thoroughly enjoyed it and think it is a book that could be enjoyed not only in school, but outside as well. Hurston’s use of language and words makes a unique beautiful piece of work. It is a story about life, independence, happiness and the struggles it takes along the way.
...less

Like this review? yes

add a comment

K.g. rated it:

(review of isbn 0061120065)

05/07/08

recommended to K.g. by: Coach B!!!
recommends it for: People

The obstacles that Janie Crawford overcomes seem almost impossible, but yet she does so in a heroic fashion. Janie is the focal point of Zora Neale Hurston’s propelling novel Their Eyes Were Watching God, a story about how Janie struggles through the ups and downs of life, while trying to remain acceptable in the eyes of the society. It seems as though, Hurston penned the novel to act as a remedy for individuals facing troubling situations, while allowing Janie to the character that readers ...more The obstacles that Janie Crawford overcomes seem almost impossible, but yet she does so in a heroic fashion. Janie is the focal point of Zora Neale Hurston’s propelling novel Their Eyes Were Watching God, a story about how Janie struggles through the ups and downs of life, while trying to remain acceptable in the eyes of the society. It seems as though, Hurston penned the novel to act as a remedy for individuals facing troubling situations, while allowing Janie to the character that readers could relate too. Janie faces many realistic problems such as: a broken home, failed relationships, as well as a class struggle among society. These crises are thrown Janie’s way, and she is forced to act abruptly with her back against the wall.

The character of Janie acts as the light to the book by shinning throughout hardships that are thrown her way. Janie is ideal African American woman in the south during the early 1900’s. Her strong willing personality makes Janie one of the most interesting and in depth characters in the book. Many different factors fall into place to make Janie the not so typical woman among other females in the book. She is sometimes seen as a threat to opposing men, but is still envied by admiring women. Despite how other people view Janie, she struggles to find herself throughout the novel, having many altercations with her inner feelings and the outer advice that is bestowed upon her by her grandmother and other people.

As the book begins, Janie has already completed her spiritual journey to find herself. As she sits down with one of few close friends, Pheoby Watson, Janie explains the journey that has lead her back to the all black town of Eatonville, Florida; a town built as a refuge for suppressed blacks. Questions begin to surface as to why Janie as returned, and to why she has returned alone, seeing as how she left with a young man by the name of Tea Cake. Many rumors are tossed about speculating that Janie was ripped of by Tea Cake, and that he was only interested in her feelings and not her emotions. Janie meets the rumors with only a smile and laughter, and tells Pheoby that the people have to discover what love is, because Janie herself has “been to the horizon and back.” The tenacity that Janie shows is a reoccurring theme throughout the book as she tries to set the building blocks that allow her to take the proper steps that allow her to live a life that she is comfortable with.

Their Eyes Were Watching God is an uplifting novel that gives courage to the readers. It meets the modern world with modern characters that deal with problems in unlikely ways. Many of the characters posses many unique traits, but are shaped but the opinion of other characters. As the book unfolds, it reveals many shocking and enlightening information that acts as pieces to the puzzle for people such as Janie.

Their Eyes Were Watching God contains many complex characters that add turmoil and insight to the book. Characters such as Nunkie, cause conflict within social relationship. Whether Nunkie’s “harmless” flirting is intentional or not it adds to the interesting plot that escalates as the story reaches the climax.

Other characters such as Nanny acts as a support system to characters like Janie. Nanny plays a key role in raising Janie due to the absence of her mother, and is the primary reason to why Janie views the world the way she does until Janie is able to come into her own. It is clear that Nanny only wants the best for her grand daughter, despite if it neglects Janie’s feelings. In a sense you can’t blame Nanny for wanting to see Janie excel in life coming from where they came from, although at times it seems as though Nanny is living her life through Janie.

In all Their Eyes Were Watching God is a great piece of literature that addresses many different areas of life from; relationships, racism, as well individuals struggling to find themselves. The way that the novel deals with problems makes it a book that is readable for almost any audience that is able to comprehend the in in-depth meaning that Their Eyes Were Watching God has to offer.
...less

Like this review? yes

add a comment

Jenny rated it:

(review of isbn 0061120065)

05/15/08

Read in February, 2008

recommended to Jenny by: Mr.Barwick (the greatest english teacher)
recommends it for: EVERYONE

For the young Zora Hurston, her life was not much different than the character Janie she created up for her novel, There Eyes Were Watching God. When Zora was three years old her and her family moved to Eatonville, Florida. Eatonville was the first black community in American where Zora’s father became Mayor. In the Novel Janie’s second husband moved himself and Janie to Eatonville where he became mayor. Zora Hurston worked as a maid and in the Novel, Janie feels like she has been worked an...more For the young Zora Hurston, her life was not much different than the character Janie she created up for her novel, There Eyes Were Watching God. When Zora was three years old her and her family moved to Eatonville, Florida. Eatonville was the first black community in American where Zora’s father became Mayor. In the Novel Janie’s second husband moved himself and Janie to Eatonville where he became mayor. Zora Hurston worked as a maid and in the Novel, Janie feels like she has been worked and used as a “trophy wife”.
At the beginning of the story we see Janie under a pear tree that blossoms, she is sixteen years old. The bees are buzzing and collecting pollen when Janie finds herself thinking about her sexual life. Without thinking she kisses a boy over the fence and her nanny sees. Her nanny is mad and is afraid that Janie will get pregnant young like Janie’s mother did so quickly her nanny marries her off to Logan Killicks. At first Logan treated her with respect and pampered her but soon, after about a year, he had her helping him around the farm. Janie feels used and despises her nanny for marrying her off to someone to the like of Logan. Then one day she meets Jody Starks and runs off with him. Jody takes Janie to Eatonville where he become mayor and opens a store. He admires Janie and pampers her for awhile. Soon he notices that people stare at her and he makes her keep her hair tied up. Soon their love fades and the fight. Jody Starks passes away from kidney failure and Janie is left alone to run the store herself and with the help of Hezekih Potts.
After Jody’s death an old friend of Janie’s stops by the store and claims he is lost. The old friend is Teacake and tries to get Janie to let him teach her how to play checkers. She refuses and Teacake leaves only to visit more often. Soon Janie falls in love with Teacake and they get married in Jacksonville Florida. Even though Janie loves him, she is still weary about him stealing her money because of her last two marriages. So she hides two hundred dollars in her shirt. Teacake worships Janie. He doesn’t want her to do any work and takes care of her. Teacake moves Janie to the Everglades where he can earn more money and provide her with a better life. Together, Janie and Teacake work to collect sugarcane and are paid.
Soon Janie notices a girl called Nunkie flirting with Teacake and she become mad. Nunkie soon reveals her plot, she only flirts with Teacake in order for him to not notice when she takes his work tickets. But Teacake notices and they fight. Janie and Teacake make up though and laugh about Nunkie the next morning. A few years pass and Janie notices suddenly that a group of Native Americans are migrating to Palm Beach. When Janie asks why they are doing so they tell her a hurricane is coming. Janie tells Teacake but he refuses to believe it because the sky are beautiful and blue. The next few days Janie notices the animals are also migrating towards Palm Beach, then workers. One of the workers offers Janie and Teacake a ride out of Eatonville, Janie feels like it is a good idea to leave but Teacake still refuses to believe there is a hurricane. Therefore Janie and Teacake stay behind.
Soon a storm comes with great winds and floods of water. Their front lawn is flooded with water and while it is still storming, Teacake decides to move himself and Janie to higher ground. While they are doing so, Lake Okeechobee begins to overflow. Then all at once the river come rushing towards Teacake and Janie. The water separates Janie and Teacake. Janie grabs onto a cow’s tail and Teacake finally spots her. There is a dog sitting on the cow’s back. The dog is eager to stay alive and not get wet or drown so he is aggressive towards Janie. He growls and shows his teeth. Teacake quickly tries to make his way to Janie before the dog attacks. Will he make it and save her life? Find out for yourself. This book is too good to pass buy.
I’ve always loved reading books and I have read so many. I can truly say that Their Eyes Were Watching God deserves to be on my top ten favorite books!
...less

Like this review? yes

add a comment

Reyna rated it:

(review of isbn 0061120065)

05/15/08

recommended to Reyna by: Mr. Barwick
recommends it for: GIRLS

“Their Eyes Were Watching God”
Their Eyes Were Watching God is a great novel to read. Zora Hurston tells the sad story of a middle age African woman. Zora reveals the story in a very poetic way and uses many dialogues. Some parts of the novel include topics of love, passion and dreams. The whole idea behind the novel is to connect nature and humanity. The novel is full of similarities and metaphors. It describes relationships of love that later are converted to hatred. The story takes place...more “Their Eyes Were Watching God”
Their Eyes Were Watching God is a great novel to read. Zora Hurston tells the sad story of a middle age African woman. Zora reveals the story in a very poetic way and uses many dialogues. Some parts of the novel include topics of love, passion and dreams. The whole idea behind the novel is to connect nature and humanity. The novel is full of similarities and metaphors. It describes relationships of love that later are converted to hatred. The story takes place during a time of racism and consists of realistic characters. Their Eyes Were Watching God allows everyone to dream about love and passion. It teaches the lessons of general respect.
The story starts when Janie Crawford, the middle age African woman, comes back to her old neighborhood in Eatonville, Florida. Her neighbors start to want to talk about her with out knowing her sad story. Her friend, Pheoby Watson, is the only one who sticks to her side and listens to her without judging her. Janie takes the opportunity to open herself up and starts to let out her sad story. She begins by telling Pheoby her sad childhood, where she reveals that at her young age she didn’t realize that she was dark skin. As a young girl, she lived in the backyard of Ms. Washburn and her family, which were a white family. This was the family that her Nanny worked for as a servant. She was able to receive education and when she got older she changed the way she felt.
Nanny, Janie’s grandmother and guardian, and herself moved out of the backyard they were staying at. Nanny decided to marry Janie to Logan Killicks, a man that Janie did not love, thinking that this marriage was the safest thing for Janie. Nanny loved her granddaughter a lot and always took care of her after Janie’s mother left them. Janie did not marry Logan, but she did move in with him thinking that some day she would be able to love him. However, their lives together lacked love, passion and respect, all the basic elements needed in a healthy relationship. He was indifferent to her. Even after the fact that she was a very attractive woman.
After, some time Janie ran off with a stranger named Joe Starkes. Joe was a very smooth-tongue and ambitious man. Joe and Janie move to Eatonville and there Joe becomes a very important figure. He becomes known as the mayor of the town. Janie becomes the figure of the “mayor’s wife.” After some time Janie starts to be really miserable. Joe keeps her isolated from the community. She appears to be fine with it, but deep inside she still dreams. One day being Joe disrespects her image causing her to get angry and slaps him. Joe becomes angry because she did it in front of the neighbors. Their marriage starts to go even more down. Joe starts to become ill and she doesn’t have any interaction with him. Until the day Joe dies in an argument, where Janie tells him that she feels.
After, Joe’s death Janie starts to take care of things by her self. She gives the image of a free woman when she lets her long pretty hair down. Out the no where a young man named Tea Cake shows up. Tea Cake is a guy that is twelve years young than her. However they share a romance. Janie marries him after nine months of Joe’s death. Janie sells the store she had and moves to Jacksonville with Tea Cake. At the begging of their marriage they start to have problems because of money. Tea Cake leaves her one night making Janie think that all he wanted was her money. However, Tea Cake comes back tells her that he truly loves her. They move again, this time to Everglades. There they harvest and do a lot of socializing.
A very bad hurricane hits them. For the first time in the book the title of this novel comes in. Nature and humanity join when four of them stay standing looking at the door. Tea Cake becomes ill of rabies and blind by jealousy. Janie struggles some time to find what she has been looking for all her life.
...less

Like this review? yes (1 person liked it)

add a comment

Vivian rated it:

(review of isbn 0061120065)

05/15/08

recommended to Vivian by: bahwick
recommends it for: feemales

I don’t read as much as I want to, so when I was given the opportunity to read “Their Eyes Were Watching God”, I was blown away by Zora Neale Hurston’s powerful words on love and Janie Crawford’s experience through it. Hurston lived a very criticized career. After her book was published in 1937, she was criticized by the black community and so her popularity diminished and she ended up dying in poverty. Fortunately, Alice Walker helped revive interest in Zora’s writings and now her...more
I don’t read as much as I want to, so when I was given the opportunity to read “Their Eyes Were Watching God”, I was blown away by Zora Neale Hurston’s powerful words on love and Janie Crawford’s experience through it. Hurston lived a very criticized career. After her book was published in 1937, she was criticized by the black community and so her popularity diminished and she ended up dying in poverty. Fortunately, Alice Walker helped revive interest in Zora’s writings and now her novels are studied in many literary classes. This coming of age novel illustrates the few characteristics a typical American’s dream of the personal pursuit of success and happiness. Its characters are very real as to where you could relate to them. Although it is challenge to read the difficult dialogue of the thick southern accent in the book, once you get into it, you get used to it because you get so engaged into knowing what would happen next.
The story is set in the beautiful state of Florida. Janie Crawford is telling her story to her best friend Pheoby as she returns to her hometown of Eatonville, Florida from being absent for two years.. She explains the flaws and such in the guys that she happened to come along including the man she was forced to marry, the man that convinced her to leave her first husband to marry him, and then the guy that she ends up choosing for herself. In Janie’s mind, two people cannot fall in love unless they perceive love in the same viewpoint. She begins to realize this in her first marriage with Logan Killicks, an unattractive and unromantic, yet rich, hard-working man. In chapter three, we read, "She knew now that marriage did not make love. Janie’s first dream was dead, so she became a woman." But Janie goes on to have other dreams, hopes, and second chances.
Janie’s grandmother Nanny, who is basically her mother, forced her to marry Killicks wanting the best for her. Janie had a miserable marriage with Logan and decides to leave him for smooth-talking Mr. Jody Starks and becomes Janie Starks. After about 20 years of, for the most part, being Jody’s trophy wife along with his power and wealth, Jody becomes ill and dies. Janie is relieved and sets on to find love still as she came along Vergible Woods, better known as Tea Cake. As weeks pass their relationship progresses gradually and playfully, even through the town’s criticism of how Tea Cake was not good enough for her.
Janie compared love and marriage to bees pollinating a pear tree. She believed that it involved one person to be in unison with the other at all times. That one could not survive if the other was not there. She believed that she found this in Tea Cake. But do things turn out the way she expects? This novel somewhat illustrates the personal pursuit of success for Janie. At first she ends up with a wealthy man not once, but twice. She finds that true happiness is not through financial standards, but through love, even though becoming wealthy was a helping factor for Janie. As for reputation, Janie was already born with a high social standing due to her distinguishing beauty. However, when it came to her own worries, public criticism was no longer something that she was concern about because of the motivation she has to find true happiness in love.
Zora Neale Hurston portrays an emotional journey of a woman’s life, experiences, and distress. All of which very typical factors that women go through in life, but Hurston exposes Janie’s story in a distinctive way. . Hurston’s describes that “Love is lak de sea. It’s uh movin’ thing, but still and all, it takes its shape from de shore it meets, and it’s different with every shore.” With this, I learned a new perspective of how love could be seen, even though love, to me, is a hard word to define, I very much agree with her definition of it. I would definitely recommend this book to anybody. It may be more of a girly book, but the context of it could be breath-taking for anyone....less

Like this review? yes

add a comment

Camille added it (review of isbn 0061120065)

05/15/08

Read in March, 2008

recommended to Camille by: coach Barwick
recommends it for: everyone

In the book Their Eyes Were Watching God, Zora Neale Hurston does a great job capturing the feeling of a young black woman going through a tough time dealing with relationships and the struggles of being a pretty black woman. Try to imagine what it must have been like for a young black, pretty woman to live in a white community. This is such a great book because it captures her emotions through tough times trying to find love. Don’t worry guys there is also plenty of action to keep you interes...more In the book Their Eyes Were Watching God, Zora Neale Hurston does a great job capturing the feeling of a young black woman going through a tough time dealing with relationships and the struggles of being a pretty black woman. Try to imagine what it must have been like for a young black, pretty woman to live in a white community. This is such a great book because it captures her emotions through tough times trying to find love. Don’t worry guys there is also plenty of action to keep you interested.
Janie is the character in the book who is trying to find self-revelation and her true love. In the book she is put through a series of trials with different men. She experiences some degrading things that women should not have to deal with. This includes being beaten, called old and ugly, and the fear that your husband is flirting with another woman.
The reason Janie is so determined on finding true love is because of her grandmother. Her grandmother wanted to see her get married before she died. Janie was forced to marry a man whom she did not love but her grandmother told her that marriage makes love. The man she married was supposedly going to allow Janie to live a good life and no longer have to worry about poverty, according to her grandmother, which turned out not to be the case. After a while Janie realizes that love does not grow with marriage because she never fell in love with the man her grandmother practically forced her to marry.
Jody Starks, Tea Cake, and Logan Killicks are the two main men that come into Janie’s life. Only one of the two men turns out to be Janie’s true love. The other man does not respect Janie and she leaves him with an uncertainty about her new future.
In the climax of the story Janie has found the man whom she is almost sure she has fallen in love with but she still wonders if it would be better to live independently. A big disaster strikes her home and she, along with many others, must fight through tough conditions to stay alive. After the big disaster is over, the suffering continues for Janie and her love. At this point in the book it makes the reader wonder if Janie will ever have a normal happy life.
This book probably fits the adventure genre best. Hurston writes about all of the trials that Janie goes though and makes it feel as if the reader is really there and is experiencing the racism and hardship. The most action takes place towards the middle and end of the book when they have to struggle to stay alive.
Zora Neale Hurston used the Southern black dialect so perfectly that it makes you feel like you were actually there. If she had not used the Southern black dialect the story would not have made as big of an impact. She also gives just the right amount of information about someone or something to keep the reader guessing on what will happen next. Her unique style of writing makes this book hard to put down.
One of the themes of the book is love and relationships. Janie spends so much time trying to find her true love and also what love really means. In this process she discovers who she is and becomes more confident. She starts to create a connectedness to nature, which started out with a pear tree where she first made the connection. In the end Janie comes to a realization that “Love is lak de sea. It’s uh movin’ thing, but still and all, it takes its shape from de shore it meets, and its different with every shore.”
Every girl pictures one day meeting the guy of her dreams, falling in love, and then living happily ever after. This was not the case for Janie who had to live a life of poverty, trials, and abuse. She was an independent woman searching for love and self-revelation. Does she find true love in the end or does she live happily ever after by herself? To find out you will have to read Their Eyes Were Watching God.
...less

Like this review? yes

add a comment

Ashley rated it:

(review of isbn 0061120065)

05/12/08

bookshelves: best-books-evar-

Has a copy to sell/swap — Read in January, 2008

recommended to Ashley by: I was forced to read by Barwick
recommends it for: Your momma

Their Eyes Were Watching God is a compelling novel written by Zora Neale Hurston. The rhythmic tone of the novel makes it seem as if you were a major onlooker to the life of Janie. Janie comes from a life of despair and poverty. Throughout her life she has a relationship with nature that marks significant events in her life. She first experiences the beauty of her sexuality through the sexual interaction of two bees. After this encounter Janie’s relationship with nature is only nurtured and ma...more Their Eyes Were Watching God is a compelling novel written by Zora Neale Hurston. The rhythmic tone of the novel makes it seem as if you were a major onlooker to the life of Janie. Janie comes from a life of despair and poverty. Throughout her life she has a relationship with nature that marks significant events in her life. She first experiences the beauty of her sexuality through the sexual interaction of two bees. After this encounter Janie’s relationship with nature is only nurtured and matured as she grows as her sexuality blooms her life takes a dramatic turn for the worst.
Hurston uses the dialect of African Americans back in the time of the novel to convey the true meaning of the novel. She also intertwines the dialect of the South with poetic devices that make this novel different from other traditional Great American Novels. According to the Saturday Review “Their Eyes Were Watching God belongs in the same category with [the works of] William Faulkner, F.Scott Fitzgerald, and Ernest Hemingway, that of enduring American literature.” This novel makes it to the list of Great American Novels because not only does it deal with the Great American Dream but their will never be a novel that will ever capture the essence of African American life in the early days through the eyes of an independent woman who has overcame obstacles as did Janie. The works of Zora Neale Hurston were not recognized until late after her death by Alice Walker. Zora Neale Hurston was not only using her creative imagination to develop the plot for this story but she also used her common knowledge since she herself grew up in Eatonville, Florida which was the main setting of this novel.
Many Americans grew to love Janie because she overcame obstacles that held many people down. She was not only faced with the adversity of being black but she also faced the obstacle of being a woman. At a young age Janie was married off to a very older guy with the admiration that love would just come one day. After persevering through the marriage for a year Jody tries to make Janie work on the farm with him and Janie refuses and moves on to her second husband. Janie soon gives up her dream of love. After being deprived of love so long Janie decides that a man will no longer have control over her as her second husband did. Life lessons learned in this novel pertain not only to the people of this time period but can also be applied to our daily lives. A lesson like love is not created it is just there or those like only you can know what is right for you. Janie was a product of violence from two generations but that did not affect the path of life she knew she wanted to live even though her life took a dramatic turn she got herself right back on track and accomplished what it took to make her happy.
The relationship Janie has with nature not only marks the beginning of her life but it also marks brewing trouble that will later lead to a new view of life for Janie. After Janie finally finds love she is no longer bothered by the people’s thoughts of her. She realizes that they have not experienced the things in her life so they do not understand the life lessons she has been taught through her hardships. Janie accomplishes her American Dream not only by defeating poverty but by defining love. She was financially stable but now she was able to experience love which lead to her awakening.
Their Eyes Were Watching God is a great book to read. It is a novel written by an intelligent woman who knows what it means to have American spirit. Not only does she write with a sense of great knowledge from the times but she write with such a poetic flow that if you miss just one word the poetry and overall meaning of the story is destroyed. This story can be related to any American person that knows what it feels like to have an awakening moment with a good or bad ending.

...less

Like this review? yes

add a comment

Katina rated it:

(review of isbn 0061120065)

05/07/08

Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neal Hurston was awarded first place in the “adult trade category in Chicago.” This novel is also considered to be one of the finest works of fiction of its time. In addition, it was also placed into the category of American Literature. Their Eyes Were Watching God once again is considered to be one of the most poetic works of fiction by a black writer Zora Neal Hurston. She was also known for writing Their Eyes Were Watching God. In other words this...more Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neal Hurston was awarded first place in the “adult trade category in Chicago.” This novel is also considered to be one of the finest works of fiction of its time. In addition, it was also placed into the category of American Literature. Their Eyes Were Watching God once again is considered to be one of the most poetic works of fiction by a black writer Zora Neal Hurston. She was also known for writing Their Eyes Were Watching God. In other words this was her most famous novel that she wrote because it touched many people.
Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neal Hurston is both a bitter sweet as well as interesting novel at the same time. Janie’s grandmother was born into slavery and raised Janie. Janie returns back to Eatonville where she is gossiped about but Pheoby sticks up for her. Her grandmother’s goal was to arrange a marriage to someone that could take care of her. It tells of Janie’s life as a young child and continues as she develops. Janie starts off as a child and is raised by her grandmother in a white family’s backyard, where she was constantly teased. She is caught kissing another man so she is forced to quickly grow up into a young adult. Hurston also relates Janie’s struggles throughout her lifetime.
The plot of this novel was a drama that was set in the 1920’s. It refers to Janies continued search for happiness and leads her through several marriages to try and find the right ways as well as the correct intentions of her life.
The tone or style of Their Eyes Were Watching God would resemble poetry in the way Zora Neal Hurston refers to the Pear trees. She refers to the trees as a place where Janie can go to and relax as well as to represent her views of nature. The pear trees were also a place where Janie went to relax when she was mad or upset in the earlier chapters. Zora Neal Hurston also referred to the pear trees as a sexual awakening for Janie.
One of the major themes from Their Eyes Were Watching God was the black southern dialect that Hurston used throughout the novel. The use of language that she used was intended to compare or bring together Janie’s quest of her life to help her find her voice as well as the true meaning of her life. Jody Starks soon becomes mayor and prevents Janie from talking. However, Janie soon realizes that silence can be a source of empowerment. qHurston often referred to language as a use of salvation. An example of when she used this in the novel would be when Janie drifted off into the lake after trying to reach the piece of tar for Tea Cake and got attacked by the dog (cow).
This novel did in fact have a reaction on me. It made me feel as if I was actually in Janie’s shoes because when I was younger my parents moved me to a few different to try and find the right one that fit me and that I was happy in. This related to Janie in that she moved to several different places trying to find the one that she felt the most comfortable and happy in. This book would relate to any individual that has lost a parent, that lives with a grandparent, and that is a teenager to young adult.
Overall, Their Eyes Were Watching God was one of the best books that I have read. This is not only through school but outside of school on my own time as well. If you as an individual like books about Independence as well as watching other individuals life progress from a young childhood to a young mature adult then I would strongly recommend this book to you. To me this novel is also worth recommending because it talks about the different relationships that people share. Another reason that makes me feel like this book is worth recommending is the authors tone of voice and the types of words she uses between Janie and Tea Cake just make the reader feel that much more attached to the novel.

...less

Like this review? yes

add a comment

Cortney rated it:

(review of isbn 0061120065)

05/08/08

recommended to Cortney by: Coach Barwick
recommends it for: Everyone

Cortney Weaver
The Great American Novel
May 9, 2008

I have always loved the sunny state of Florida. Going to Disney World and visiting Mickey Mouse is every kids dream. But in Zora Neale Hurston’s Their Eyes Were Watching God, she shows you a different side of what Florida is all about. This book was so real and it made me feel like I was right there next to Janie throughout the entire story. The choices that Janie had to make gave me an idea of what life could be like in those situat...more