Their Eyes Were Watching God - Themes and Decisions

Questions and Answers

What rumors have been circulating about Tea Cake and Janie?

There were rumors about the places Tea Cake would take Janie and what all they did. People wondered what Tea Cake's true intentions were.

What does Sam Watson say is the reason Tea Cake is spending money on Janie?

Sam Watson says that the reason Tea Cake is spending money on Janie is because he is just wanting to ruin all the hard work Joe Starks had done.

What news does Janie tell Pheoby about her and Tea Cake's future? What is Pheoby's warning to Janie?

Janie tells Pheoby that she and Tea Cake were going to get married and leave the town. Pheoby warned Janie about Tea Cake turning out to be different from the way he acted around her now.

Why has Janie decided to sell the store?

Janie decided to sell the store because she didn't want to keep it anymore and she knew that Tea Cake wasn't cut out to run the store. Signup and view all the answers

What do we learn about the way Janie's grandma wanted Janie to live her life? What does Janie want?

Janie's grandma wanted her to live a sophisticated life filled with nice things, friends, and a husband that loved her. Janie just wanted to live her life the way she wanted to and not have to live up to other people's expectations. Signup and view all the answers

What does the author mean by 'It was hard to love a woman that always made you feel so wishful'?

The author means that it is hard to ever really get close to someone when all you do is envy and want what they have. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Janie keep two hundred dollars hidden inside her shirt?

Janie keeps two hundred dollars hidden inside her shirt because Pheoby cautioned her to have something in case Tea Cake runs off and leaves her with nothing but the clothes on her back. Signup and view all the answers

Why do you think Janie thought of Annie Tyler and Who Flung?

I think Janie thought of Annie Tyler and Who Flung because her circumstances are very similar to Mrs. Tyler's and she fears the same thing that happened to Mrs. Tyler is happening to her. Signup and view all the answers

What figure of speech is the following: 'Janie dozed off to sleep but woke up in time to see the sun sending up spies ahead of him to mark out the road through the dark'? What does this sentence mean?

The figure of speech is a metaphor. The sentence means that Janie woke up before the sun was completely up. Light was just starting to show. Signup and view all the answers

What does Tea Cake do with the money? Do you believe his story? Why or why not?

He claims to go out and buy dinner for anyone and everyone around, except for the ugly women, whom he pays $2 for them not to come. I don't believe his story because it doesn't seem to fit his character. Signup and view all the answers

How does Tea Cake plan on paying Janie back?

Tea Cake plans on winning back the money by gambling and taking his winnings to pay Janie back. Signup and view all the answers

How does Tea Cake get cut?

He is leaving with his winnings, one of the men he was playing against didn't like that he had lost all his money and tried to get his money back by cutting Tea Cake twice in his back. Signup and view all the answers

Where does Tea Cake take Janie? Why?

Tea Cake takes Janie to the Everglades so they could plant beans and earn more money. Signup and view all the answers

What does Tea Cake teach Janie to do?

Tea Cake teaches Janie how to shoot. Signup and view all the answers

How does Tea Cake convince Janie to take a job? What is her reaction?

Tea Cake tells Janie that he misses her an awful lot and that if she came and worked with him he wouldn't lose any time to come home to see her. Janie isn't quite convinced but she goes along with it. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the mood surrounding the card game at Tea Cake's house.

The mood surrounding the card game at Tea Cake's house is interesting. They joke around and laugh, have a good time and at the same time they can be serious and hostile. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Nunkie, and how does Janie feel about her? Why?

Nunkie is one of the girls that works in the fields with Tea Cake. Janie is jealous of her because she is getting more attention from Tea Cake than Janie is and Nunkie is flirting with Tea Cake. Signup and view all the answers

What do you think about Janie's reaction to Nunkie and Tea Cake? Is she justified in her actions towards Tea Cake? Why or why not?

I feel that Janie's reaction was justified as Tea Cake was allowed to do what he wanted and Janie should have been too. Signup and view all the answers

Why do Janie and Tea Cake decide to stay in the Everglades?

They decided to stay so they could stay another season on muck. Signup and view all the answers

What is ironic about the comment, 'Her disfavorite subject was Negroes'? What does Mrs. Turner have against other African-Americans? What does she want Janie to do?

It is ironic that Mrs. Turner is black and that she finds that they are loud and laugh a lot. Mrs. Turner wants Janie to leave Tea Cake and marry one of her relatives. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Mrs. Turner continue to forgive Janie for her rudeness? How does she justify Janie's (and her own) behavior?

Mrs. Turner continues to forgive Janie because she knows that Janie is more white than black and she doesn't want to hold it against her. She justifies her behavior by saying that is how the white folks would act. Signup and view all the answers

What do you think of Mrs. Turner and her beliefs? Justify your response.

I don't find her beliefs out of the ordinary but are the result of a white society where white is right, much like today. Signup and view all the answers

What is your reaction to Tea Cake whipping Janie to reassure him in 'possession'?

Domestic violence was common during this time and few abusers neglect people for fun. It provides a sort of stability or reassurance in their lives. Signup and view all the answers

Why are the men jealous of the way Tea Cake beat Janie? Analyze your thoughts about the men's idea about how to treat a woman.

They are jealous because they know that if they tried to do the same thing to their wife, she would beat them up just as much. The men have treated the women as possessions or animals. Signup and view all the answers

What happened in Mrs. Turner's café? Respond to this incident. Do you think it was an accident or something more?

A fight broke out and the majority of Mrs. Turner's café was destroyed. I think this was more than just an accident. Signup and view all the answers

Where are the Seminoles going? Why?

They are going to higher ground because they paid attention to the signs in nature telling them that a hurricane is coming. Signup and view all the answers

What reasons does Tea Cake give Lias for not leaving?

Tea Cake told Lias that he didn't want to leave because the money was really good right then and he didn't want the others to get it and him miss out. Signup and view all the answers

How do Tea Cake, Janie, and the others who stayed pass the time waiting for the weather to turn?

They sat around talking, boosting each other's courage. They ate, made jokes, sang songs, and played dice. Signup and view all the answers

What does the author mean by 'Six eyes were questioning God'?

The author meant that they didn't know who to ask, so they looked toward the heavens looking for answers to why this was happening to them. Signup and view all the answers

What do you think Janie means by 'Ah was fumblin' round and God opened de door'?

Janie meant that she spent her whole life trying to seek out what she really wanted and Tea Cake helped her find love and happiness. Signup and view all the answers

What does the title, 'They seemed to be staring at the dusk, but their eyes were watching God' mean in the immediate sense of the hurricane? What does it mean in the larger sense of the book’s themes?

In the immediate sense, they are looking to God to see what He will do during the hurricane. In the larger sense, it means they are looking to see what God will do and how that will affect their lives. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Motor Boat stay in the abandoned house?

Motor Boat stays because he is tired and doesn't want to continue any farther. Signup and view all the answers

How does Tea Cake save Janie from the dog? What happens as a result?

Tea Cake grabbed the dog and pulled him into the water, trying to stab him so he wouldn't hurt Janie. The dog fought Tea Cake and ended up biting Tea Cake's cheek and then Tea Cake killed the dog. Signup and view all the answers

What do you think Janie means when she says: 'Once upon a time, Ah never 'spected nothin', Tea Cake, but bein' dead from the standin' still and tryin' tuh laugh'?

Janie meant that she spent her whole life trying to seek what she really wanted and never expected happiness until Tea Cake came along. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Rumors and Concerns

Rumors circulated about Tea Cake's intentions with Janie, raising doubts about their relationship.
Sam Watson suggested Tea Cake's spending was an attempt to undermine Joe Starks' legacy.

Decisions and Warnings

Janie announces her plans to marry Tea Cake and leave town, but Pheoby warns her about the risks of trusting him too quickly.
Janie decides to sell her store, recognizing it isn't suited for Tea Cake to run.

Generational Expectations

Janie's grandmother had aspirations for her life involving wealth and status, desiring a more sophisticated lifestyle.
Janie seeks independence, wanting to live authentically without conforming to societal expectations.

Financial Precautions and Fears

Janie hides $200 based on Pheoby’s advice, preparing for the possibility of Tea Cake leaving her unexpectedly.
Reflecting on Annie Tyler's unfortunate experience gives Janie a sense of fear about her own relationship.

Symbolic Imagery and Characters

A metaphor describes Janie's awakening as the sun begins to rise, signaling new beginnings.
Tea Cake buys dinner for the community but claims to avoid unattractive women, which invites doubt about his character.

Conflict and Choices

After losing money gambling, Tea Cake plans to repay Janie using his potential winnings.
Tea Cake gets cut in a physical confrontation over his poker winnings, emphasizing the stakes involved in gambling.

New Experiences

Tea Cake takes Janie to the Everglades for work, where they can plant beans to earn money together.
He teaches Janie how to shoot, empowering her and enhancing their bond.

Workplace Dynamics

Tea Cake persuades Janie to join him at work, expressing how much he misses her, but Janie remains hesitant.
The atmosphere during a card game at Tea Cake's home is lively, marked by humor and tension.

Jealousy and Relationships

Janie feels jealous of Nunkie, a woman who flirts with Tea Cake, highlighting insecurities in their relationship.
When Janie witnesses Tea Cake and Nunkie together, she reacts strongly, feeling justified in her emotions.

Mrs. Turner holds prejudiced views against other African Americans, believing they hinder progress, yet she paradoxically admires Janie's lighter skin.
Her approach reflects societal attitudes towards race, demonstrating internalized racism.

Domestic Violence and Gender Dynamics

The men’s jealousy of Tea Cake’s treatment of Janie reveals societal norms regarding masculinity and control in relationships.
Domestic violence is portrayed as a troubling aspect of many relationships, intertwining with notions of power and insecurity.

Natural Disasters and Human Response

The Seminoles leave for higher ground due to impending hurricanes, showcasing awareness of nature's warnings.
Tea Cake and his friends pass time during a storm by encouraging each other, emphasizing community resilience.

Faith and Existential Reflection

The phrase “Six eyes were questioning God” illustrates despair and searching for divine meaning during hardship.
Janie feels liberated by her relationship with Tea Cake, signifying a shift in her understanding of love and fulfillment.

Climactic Events

As Tea Cake saves Janie from a dog, he suffers a bite, showcasing his protective nature but also foreshadowing future troubles.
Janie's realization of her past expectations reflects a significant growth in her personal journey towards happiness.

Character Dynamics and Resilience

Motor Boat's passive acceptance of danger contrasts with Janie and Tea Cake’s proactive approach to life.
The narrative points towards themes of agency, resilience, and the quest for genuine connection amidst adversity.

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Description

Explore the key themes and decisions in Zora Neale Hurston's 'Their Eyes Were Watching God.' This quiz delves into Janie's relationship with Tea Cake, her struggles with generational expectations, and her financial fears, highlighting her journey towards independence. Test your understanding of the complexities of Janie's character and the societal pressures she faces.