Their Eyes Were Watching God Analysis

Questions and Answers

Where does Joe sleep after the fight from the preceding chapter?

Joe moves his things to a room downstairs and sleeps there.

Explain the following sentence: 'Well, if she must eat out of a long-handled spoon, she must.'

It means that Janie cannot do anything to change her situation, so she must live with it.

Since Joe is refusing to see Janie, who is cooking and cleaning for him?

Old lady Davis is doing the house chores, even though Janie is a better cook.

What does Pheoby advise Janie to do about the rumor that she is poisoning her husband?

Pheoby tells Janie to act as if she doesn't know about the rumor and to say nothing about it, since nobody believes it anyway. Signup and view all the answers

What does Pheoby know about the medicine man who started the rumor about Janie?

That same man tried to sell gophers last year to people in Eatonville. Signup and view all the answers

What medical problem does Joe have?

Joe's kidneys have failed. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the character of Death.

Death is described in the novel as 'that strange being with the huge square toes who lived way in the West. The great one who lived in the straight house like a platform without sides to it, and without a roof.' In the legend, he waits for a messenger to call him to come. Signup and view all the answers

Joe claims that Janie never had sympathy for him. Does Janie agree?

Janie had a lot of sympathy, but she tells Joe 'ah just didn't never git no chance tuh use none of it.' Signup and view all the answers

What does Janie want Joe to do before he dies?

Janie wants him to listen to what she has to say. Signup and view all the answers

What has been waiting for Janie in the looking glass?

Janie's 'girl self' has been waiting for her in the looking glass. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Joe's Downstairs Room

After the fight, Joe moves his belongings to a room downstairs to sleep apart from Janie.

Janie's Acceptance of Circumstances

The phrase "eat out of a long-handled spoon" reflects Janie's recognition that she must accept her difficult circumstances, as she feels powerless to change them.

Housekeeping Dynamics

While Joe is not seeing Janie, Old Lady Davis takes over the cooking and cleaning duties, even though Janie's culinary skills surpass hers.

Handling Rumors

Pheoby advises Janie to remain silent about the rumor of her poisoning Joe, suggesting that ignoring it is the best approach since it lacks credibility.

Background on the Rumor Source

The rumor about Janie stems from a medicine man in Eatonville who has a dubious history, having previously attempted to sell gophers.

Joe's Health Issues

Joe is facing serious medical problems, specifically kidney failure, indicating a significant decline in his health.

Personification of Death

Death is portrayed as an ominous figure characterized by "huge square toes," living in a detached "straight house," waiting for a messenger to summon him.

Janie and Joe's Sympathy Conflict

While Joe accuses Janie of lacking sympathy for him, she argues that she had plenty of sympathy but never had the opportunity to express it.

Janie's Desire for Communication

In his final moments, Janie wishes for Joe to truly listen to her, highlighting her desire for connection and understanding.

Janie's Self-Discovery

Janie's "girl self," representing her youthful identity and aspirations, has been waiting for her to reclaim herself, as shown in her reflections in the looking glass.

Description

Explore key themes and character dynamics from Zora Neale Hurston's 'Their Eyes Were Watching God'. This quiz covers Joe and Janie's relationship, rumors in Eatonville, and the challenges they face. Test your understanding of the text's deeper meanings and character motivations.