Essay On Their Eyes Were Watching God By Zora Neale Hurston

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In Zora Neale Hurston’s, Their Eyes Were Watching God, Janie tries to find her purpose in the predominantly male society in the 1900’s. In order to find her place in the society, her Nanny makes her marry Logan Killicks, but the marriage fails so she ends up with Jody Starks. Jody expects Janie to be entirely obedient to him, and when they do not completely agree, Jody becomes violent. Although Janie’s abusive relationship with Jody ended horribly with his death, Janie learns valuable life lessons and grows into becoming more independent. The first major life lesson Janie learns from Jody is that she has a voice. From the beginning of their relationship, Jody restricts Janie from speaking because when he is appointed mayor the crowd urges Janie to give a speech, but Jody intrudes, “...mah wife don’t know nothin’ ’bout no speech-makin… her place is in de home’” (Zora Neale Hurston, 43). …show more content…

After she realizes Logan is not the right man, Janie explains, “She knew now that marriage did not make love. Janie’s first dream was dead, so she became a woman” (Zora Neale Hurston, 25). With Nanny forcing Janie into a relationship at a young age, Janie does not yet understand her goals and purpose in marriage in the sexist society. From the marriage with Logan, she knew she wanted to love someone and be loved mutually, and she wanted to become a more mature women. In her relationship with Jody, there is mutual love, and she has to be a mature woman because of Jody’s high status of Mayor. While Janie is sneaking around with Jody during her marriage with Logan, Jody explains, “Den all de rest of yo’ natural life you kin live lak you oughta” (Zora Neale Hurston, 29-30). At first sight, Jody and Janie love each other without marriage, and Janie knew he was an important man because he “spoke for change and chance” (Zora Neale Hurston,

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