The character, Janie Crawford, of the novel Their Eyes Were Watching God strikes a similar pose to Argentine political figure, Eva Peron. The National Endowment for the Arts proclaims the novel, Their Eyes Were Watching God, as a narration of the main character, Janie Crawford, a girl, “ripening from a vibrant, but voiceless teenage girl into a woman with a finger on the trigger of her own destiny” (Koss). To any citizen of Argentina or anyone who has seen the musical and film adaptation “Evita,” this quote is accurate. Both Peron and Janie share common resemblances in the ways of heritage, childhood development, and their final achievement.
Set in central Florida during the early 20th century, Their Eyes Were Watching God, describes Janie Crawford’s coming of age under the harsh reality of racism. With a mixed heritage of black and white, Janie was practically born into a hostile political, economic, and social environment. Unfortunately for Janie, her heritage invites an element of disrespect by all men she encounters. “There are years that ask questions and years that answer,” (Hurston 97) is said by Janie to express the difficulty in making this image disappear. Political figure, Eva Peron from the shanties of Argentina has difficulty gaining the respect of men as well. Eva Duarte Peron, born May 7, 1919, spent her childhood in Junín, Argentina province. Both women were born into places of abject poverty. Eva Peron had difficulty earning the respect of the upper class when she was elected First Lady of Argentina. To some citizens of Argentina, Eva Peron appeared as merely a woman with a crave for power. The reality of the matter is much like Janie Crawford’s. Eva was in search of love. However, the irony of it all falls up...
... middle of paper ...
...en go down fighting and both women reach their mission of finding love.
In conclusion, both comparisons, real and fictional, are similar in the ways of heritage, childhood development, and of course their pursuit for real love. Eva and Janie both find love and die with their mission complete.
Works Cited
Koss, Erika, and David Kipen. "The Big Read." Their Eyes Were Watching God. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 May 2014. .
Hurston, Zora Neale. Their eyes were watching God: a novel. New York: Perennial Library, 1990. Print.
"Evita Peron Biography - Historical Research Foundation." Evita Peron Biography - Historical Research Foundation. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 May 2014. .
"Todotango.com." Todotango.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 May 2014.
Hurston, Zora Neale. Their Eyes Were Watching God. Harper Perennial Modern Classics: Reissue Edition 2013
Zora Hurston’s novel “Their Eyes Were Watching God” depicts the journey of a young woman named Janie Crawford’s journey to finding real love. Her life begins with a romantic and ideal view on love. After Janie’s grandmother, Nanny, soon grows fearful of Janie’s newfound sexuality and quickly marries Janie off to Logan Killicks, an older land owner with his own farm. Janie quickly grows tired of Logan and how he works her like a slave instead of treating her as a wife and runs away with Joe Starks. Joe is older than Janie but younger than Logan and sweet talks Janie into marring him and soon Joe becomes the mayor of an all African American town called Eatonville. Soon Joe begins to force Janie to hide not only her
In, Their Eyes Were Watching God, the author takes you on the journey of a woman, Janie, and her search for love, independence, and the pursuit of happiness. This pursuit seems to constantly be disregarded, yet Janie continues to hold on to the potential of grasping all that she desires. In, Their Eyes Were Watching God, the author, Zora Hurston illustrates the ambiguity of Janie’s voice; the submissiveness of her silence and the independence she reclaims when regaining her voice. The reclaiming of Janie's independence, in the novel, correlates with the development and maturation Janie undergoes during her self discovery.
In Their Eyes Were Watching God, Zora Neale Hurston uses colloquial language to show readers exactly why Nanny raised her granddaughter, Janie Crawford, the way she did. When Janie is sixteen years old, her grandmother wants to marry her. The teen pleads to her grandmother for claims of not knowing anything about having a husband. Nanny explains the reason she wants to see Janie married off is because she is getting old and fears once she dies, Janie will be lost and will lack protection. Janie’s mother was raped by a school teacher at the young age of seventeen, which is how Janie was brought into the world.
Hurston, Lora Neale. Their Eyes Were Watching God. New York: Harper & Row Publishers, 1990.
Teen Ink, Web. 20 Nov. 2013. . Hurston, Zora N. Their Eyes Were Watching God. New York, NY: HarperCollinsPublishers, 2000.
Wilchek, Deborah. "Made for TV: Their Eyes Were Watching God." AP Central. The College Board, 2013. Web. 20 Nov. 2013. .
Hurston, Zora Neale. Their Eyes Were Watching God: A Novel. New York: Perennial Library, 1990. Print.
Hurston, Zora N. Their Eyes Were Watching God. New York: Harper & Row Publishers, 1937. Print.
In Zora Neale Hurston’s novel Their Eyes Were Watching God, the character of Janie Crawford experiences severe ideological conflicts with her grandmother, and the effects of these conflicts are far-reaching indeed. Hurston’s novel of manners, noted for its exploration of the black female experience, fully shows how a conflict with one’s elders can alter one’s self image. In the case of Janie and Nanny, it is Janie’s perception of men that is altered, as well as her perception of self. The conflict between the two women is largely generational in nature, and appears heart-breakingly inevitable.
In Zora Neal Hurston’s, Their Eyes Were Watching God, Janie, the protagonist, goes through a difficult journey of finding herself. She utilizes marriage, love, and her own flare of feminism to figure out her own definition of individuality. Throughout the novel it takes Janie three marriages and a lot of heartache, for her to finally realize what is best for her along with who she truly wants to be. Janie realizes that sometimes she needs to live for Janie. Any one that will deny her of her voice and individuality does not need to have a factor in her life. This Journey is long and confusing but Janie makes through the trials and tribulations to pass the story on to her nosey porch sitters.
4. Hurston, Zora Neal. Their Eyes Were Watching God. New York: Harper Collins, 1937. Print.
Through her use of southern black language Zora Neale Hurston illustrates how to live and learn from life’s experiences. Janie, the main character in Hurston’s Their Eyes Were Watching God, is a woman who defies what people expect of her and lives her life searching to become a better person. Not easily satisfied with material gain, Janie quickly jumps into a search to find true happiness and love in life. She finally achieves what she has searched for with her third marriage.
Appiah and Gates, 204-17. Hurston, Zora. Their Eyes Were Watching God. New York: Harper & Row Publishers, Inc., 1990. Wright, Richard.
2 “Their Eyes Were Watching God Reader’s Guide - Introduction.” The Big Read. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Mar. 2012. .