Their Eyes Were Watching God Analysis

Questions and Answers

The women gossip about Janie when _____?

she returns to town after running off with a younger man.

Who is Phoeby Watson?

Pheoby is Janie's best friend who spoke up for her to the people on the porches.

What was Janie's nickname during childhood?

Alphabet

What does the blossoming pear tree represent to Janie?

Love, desire, and passion of marriage Signup and view all the answers

According to Nanny, when did Janie become a woman?

After she sees Janie kissing Johnny Taylor Signup and view all the answers

Why does Nanny insist that Janie get married after she sees Janie kissing Johnny Taylor?

Nanny does not want Janie to end up marrying a man of low class like Johnny Taylor, so she sets her up with Logan, a man with a lot of money, to protect Janie once she dies. Signup and view all the answers

Who was Janie's grandfather?

A slave-owner who raped Nanny Signup and view all the answers

Why was Janie's mother named Leafy?

Nanny hid her in the leafy moss when she ran away from the plantation Signup and view all the answers

Janie goes to visit her grandmother after she marries Logan because _____?

she is disappointed that she doesn't love Logan. Signup and view all the answers

Why did Janie decide to leave Logan Killicks?

Logan becomes more demanding over time, and makes her do a lot of work. She finally decides to leave after Logan insults her family and threatens to kill her with an ax after she refuses to help him move a manure pile. Signup and view all the answers

How does Janie get Joe's attention?

Janie pumps water which results in Joe asking her for a drink. Signup and view all the answers

What is a symbol of new opportunities in the novel?

The gate that she opens when she leaves Logan's place. Signup and view all the answers

What is a symbol of Janie's freedom in the novel?

Her hair Signup and view all the answers

Where do Janie and Joe get married?

Green Cove Springs Signup and view all the answers

Who is the first mayor of Eatonville?

Joe Starks Signup and view all the answers

What does Joe provide for Eatonville?

A store, a street lamp, and a post office. Signup and view all the answers

When was the Harlem Renaissance?

The Harlem Renaissance was a literary, artistic, and intellectual movement that kindled a new black cultural identity. It took place in Harlem between the end of World War I and the middle of the 1930s. Signup and view all the answers

The Harlem Renaissance was in response to ____?

The Great Migration Signup and view all the answers

What is The Great Migration?

Movement between 1915 - 1940 of millions of African Americans to the north in search of work and fair treatment. Signup and view all the answers

How did the Great Depression affect the Harlem Renaissance?

The Harlem Renaissance is usually thought to end when the stock market crashed in 1929. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Janie's Return to Eatonville

Janie faces gossip from local women upon returning to town after leaving with a younger man.

Key Characters

Phoeby Watson is Janie's loyal friend who advocates for her in the face of community judgment.
Janie's childhood nickname, "Alphabet," reflects her early complexities and struggles with identity.

Symbolism

The blossoming pear tree symbolizes Janie's ideals of love, desire, and the passion she associates with marriage.
Janie's freedom is represented by her hair, which is a sign of her individuality.

Nanny's Influence

Nanny believes Janie becomes a woman upon witnessing her kiss with Johnny Taylor.
Nanny insists Janie marry Logan Killicks to ensure her financial security and prevent her from marrying someone of low class.

Family Background

Janie is descended from a slave-owner, her grandfather, who raped Nanny.
Nanny hid Janie's mother, Leafy, in leafy moss during her escape from plantation life.

Marital Discontent

After marrying Logan, Janie feels unfulfilled and visits her grandmother due to her disappointment over the lack of love in her marriage.
Janie ultimately decides to leave Logan Killicks after he becomes increasingly demanding and threatens her safety.

New Beginnings

Janie attracts Joe Starks' attention while pumping water, showcasing her strength and allure.
The act of opening the gate symbolizes her departure from a stifling situation and the pursuit of new opportunities.

Joe Starks' Role

Janie and Joe marry in Green Cove Springs; Joe becomes the first mayor of Eatonville.
He establishes vital infrastructure in Eatonville, including a store, a street lamp, and a post office.

Historical Context

The Harlem Renaissance (post-World War I to mid-1930s) fostered a new cultural identity for African Americans, enriching literature and the arts.
This movement was a response to the Great Migration, where millions of African Americans moved north seeking better opportunities and civil rights.
The onset of the Great Depression in 1929 marked the decline of the Harlem Renaissance, as economic hardship impacted artistic endeavors.

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Description

Dive into the complexities of Janie's return to Eatonville and the challenges she faces. Explore key characters, symbolism, and the impact of family background on her journey to self-discovery. Gain insights into themes of love, freedom, and societal judgment throughout Zora Neale Hurston's masterpiece.