In Their Eyes Were Watching God, written by Zora Neale Hurston, marriage is a central topic. The main character of the book, Janie, is married three times. Her husbands are very different from one another which is also reflected in the relationship between her and her husbands in each marriage. Nevertheless, all three marriages show certain similarities which correspond to common gender roles of this time. The following essay thus will explore and analyze these marriages. Afterwards it will compare them with regard to three common gender roles of that time, and it will show that all three marriages are more or less built upon these common gender-specific ideas.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Three marriages: An Analysis
2.1 The First Marriage: Janie and Logan
2.2 The Second Marriage: Janie and Joe
2.3 The Third Marriage: Janie and Tea Cake
3. Comparison with Regard to Gender Roles in Marriage of that Time
4. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Themes
This paper examines the evolution of the main character Janie's autonomy and identity across her three marriages in Zora Neale Hurston's novel, analyzing how these relationships align with or deviate from the gender-specific expectations of the era, particularly regarding male dominance, the conceptualization of women as property, and the gendered division of labor.
- The impact of societal gender roles on marital power dynamics.
- The transition from objectification to individual agency in Janie's life.
- The symbolic significance of domestic roles and speech in relationships.
- Comparison of the emotional and intellectual foundations of Janie's three marriages.
Excerpt from the Book
2.1 The First Marriage: Janie and Logan
The reason for Janie’s first marriage with the wealthy middle-aged Logan Killicks is Nanny’s want for financial and personal security for her granddaughter. But since Janie’s experience under the pear tree, she expects marriage to be like what she has experienced there. “’Ah wants things sweet wid ma marriage lak when you sit under a pear tree and think.’” (24) But soon after the wedding she recognizes that marriage does not make love (cf. 25).
At the beginning of their relationship Logan treats his new wife very well. He does not use physical violence against Janie and he tries to make her life as pleasant as possible. “’No’m, he ain’t even talked ‘bout hittin’me. He says he never mean to lay weight uh his hand on me in malice. He chops all de wood he think A wants and den he totes it inside de kitchen for me. Keeps both water buckets full.’” (23) But nevertheless, Janie is unhappy in their marriage from the very beginning. One reason for this is that Logan completely lacks sexual attraction for her and she even is disgusted when she thinks of having sex with him. “’Ah’d ruther be shot wid tacks than tuh turn over in de bed and stir up de air whilst he is in dere.’” (24) This can also be seen as a reason for Janie’s failure to fall in love with him (cf. Lester 1999: 82).
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: The introduction establishes marriage as a central theme in the novel and outlines the research objective to analyze Janie's three marriages through the lens of historical gender roles.
2. Three marriages: An Analysis: This chapter provides a detailed examination of the individual dynamics in Janie's marriages to Logan Killicks, Joe Starks, and Tea Cake, highlighting the shift in power and emotional connection.
3. Comparison with Regard to Gender Roles in Marriage of that Time: The author compares the findings from the case studies against societal standards of male dominance, female objectification, and the division of labor.
4. Conclusion: The conclusion synthesizes the findings, noting that while Janie's marriages reflect common patriarchal restrictions of her time, her personal agency grows incrementally through her life experiences.
Keywords
Zora Neale Hurston, Their Eyes Were Watching God, Janie, marriage, gender roles, patriarchy, agency, domesticity, male dominance, autonomy, literary analysis, identity, 20th century literature.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research paper?
The paper explores the three marriages of the protagonist, Janie, in Zora Neale Hurston’s "Their Eyes Were Watching God," focusing on how these relationships reflect or challenge the gender roles of that era.
What are the central thematic areas covered?
The core themes include the power dynamics within marriage, the treatment of women as property, the gendered division of labor, and the development of the protagonist's voice and agency.
What is the research goal of this analysis?
The goal is to analyze how Janie’s experiences across three distinct relationships correlate with the masculine-dominated societal structures of her time and to document her journey toward self-realization.
Which methodology is employed in this work?
The work utilizes literary analysis and a comparative approach, connecting the narrative events of the novel to historical gender-specific concepts and critical secondary sources.
What does the main body of the text cover?
The main body examines each of Janie's marriages sequentially—to Logan Killicks, Joe Starks, and Tea Cake—before comparing them against specific social paradigms like male dominance and household responsibilities.
Which keywords best describe this study?
Key terms include Zora Neale Hurston, marriage, gender roles, patriarchy, female autonomy, and Janie's search for identity.
How does the author interpret the "mule" metaphor mentioned in the text?
The mule is interpreted as a symbol for the racist and sexist oppression of women, reflecting the status of Black women as being subjected to harsh treatment while remaining resilient and strong-willed.
What distinction is made between Janie’s earlier marriages and her life with Tea Cake?
The author notes that while Tea Cake also exerts control, their relationship is unique in its intellectual and emotional basis, often allowing Janie more agency and shared labor compared to her previous unions.
- Quote paper
- Anonym (Author), 2006, Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God: Marriage in Zora Neale Hurston's 'Their Eyes Were Watching God', Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/55575
