Similarities: Coincidental or Accidental?
By Jessica Souer
By Jessica Souer
All in all, the book Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston is an interesting if not thought-provoking read. Unique characters, colorful descriptions, well-placed symbols, and vivid dialogue make the story seem remarkably real and alive. The most interesting part of the book was not actually in any specific part of the book itself but woven in bits and pieces of the story. Certain aspects of this book are very similar to Hurston and her life. The parallels between the book and Hurston’s real life are probably not easy to spot for someone who has only read the book and not studied Hurston’s life, but it is something that is too strong not to notice for one who has taken the time to analyze both. These similarities between Hurston and her writings can be found all throughout the theme, conflict, symbols, and main character of the story and also give the reader great motivation to analyze the story more in-depth all the while getting a chance to learn a little bit more about the author who created such a masterpiece.
The theme of the book could have been Hurston’s theme for her own life. In the book, the main character, Janie, spends her whole life trying to discover her sense of self-worth and independence (Hurston 193). It takes Janie three marriages for her to realize that she should have been the one determining her sense of worth, not other people. The theme of the book is Janie’s journey to independence and finding out about herself and who she is as a person (Hurston 7). It is not until the middle of the book that Janie falls in love with Tea Cake (Hurston 94). When he is gone, she learns to love her newly found freedom but still keeps his memory alive (Hurston 193). Various other messages are entwined throughout the book including the convenience of silence (Hurston 73), the divisions of race (140), and power used as a way to control (58). Even these subtle messages speak volumes about Hurston’s person struggles. She found pride in the accomplishments of her fellow African Americans but knew that not everyone thought the same way (Hurston 196, 199). Hurston knew that there is nothing better than writing from one’s own experiences and that is just what she did regarding the theme.
The primary conflict in the book is person verses herself. Janie often wants to see if the grass is greener on the other side. She is a dreamer and hopes something better will come around and take her away from her present situation. When she is married to Logan, her first husband, she runs away with Jody, a man she met who promised her he could make her dreams come true (Hurston 129). However, when Jody died and she was left to run the general store, she was not content in that situation either. A man named Tea Cake came into the store, made her feel like a real person, and she wondered what he could offer her (Hurston 94). Janie was always looking for the next best thing and in doing so was her own worst enemy. Hurston was also like that. Throughout her life, she never stopped wanting to achieve more, to do more, to be more for herself as well as the suppressed African American community at that time (Boyd 3). Did Hurston have as much conflict with herself as Janie had with herself? It is hard to know for sure. However, because of the strong parallels between Hurston and her book, one could assume that yes, she did. Regrets are a powerful force, but discontentment is too. The connection Hurston seems to display between herself and the book only seems to get more interesting.
The parallels between Hurston and Their Eyes Were Watching God continue through the symbols used in the book. The three main symbols used are Janie’s hair, the donkey, and the tree. Janie’s hair symbolizes her power as a woman. It represented what she is feeling and how others are treating her at that point in the story (Hurston 87). Janie’s second husband Jody also uses her hair as a way to control her. He makes her bind it so he can show others that he has authority over her and that her beauty is for him and him alone (Hurston 55). Hurston also felt bound many times too, because of her stern father and uncaring stepmother (Boyd 4). The second symbol is the mule, who is worn out and run down (Hurston 56). Jody buys the mule and Janie feels such sympathy with the animal that she sticks up for him on his behalf and stuns the townsfolk (Hurston 58). When the mule dies, it is like a little bit of Janie’s freedom dies too (Hurston 62). The mule represents Janie’s hope and independence and with it gone, Janie’s days start to look a little dimmer (Hurston 62). Hurston likely had those same feelings of failure and hopelessness too which is why she incorporated this particular symbol into her book (Boyd 4). The last symbol is the tree (Hurston 11). It represents her youth and energy even though she had witnessed so much at such a young age. What she feels while under the tree is what she tries to attain her entire life. That is what she keeps chasing after and yearning for. Even though Janie was beaten down, the tree taught her to have dreams and like Janie, even though Hurston had a tough life, she too always tried to accomplish her aspirations (Body 6). By using these three symbols, Janie’s hair, the mule, and the tree, Hurston reveals parts of her heart through her story to her readers.
The most significant and meaningful parallel found between Hurston and her book is located in her main character, Janie. Janie and Hurston were both married and divorced; Janie three times and Hurston twice. The similarities do not stop there. Both were involved heavily with the town of Eatonville. Hurston grew up there and Janie (Boyd 3), and her second husband, Jody, were Mr. and Mrs. Mayor of Eatonville (Hurston 47). Strangely, neither had children, but odder still none made known the desire to have a baby. Hurston did a great job of revealing herself in the theme, conflict and symbols, but she really outdid herself in using parts of her life to impact the character and ultimately make it one that is unforgettable.
Overall, I give this novel a three out of five stars. The wording is a little complex at first, but it does flow better with time. Readers should also be cautioned—a few inappropriate words are used a handful of times and there are passages of violence, none which go into great detail. However, I do not believe that banning the book because of a few brief spots of unnecessary crudeness would do anyone justice. History would be lost, and a piece of Zora Neale Hurston would perish along with it. Reading an author’s work will undoubtedly give you a glimpse into the author’s world. This book is no different. The use of personal parallels between Hurston and her book in the theme, conflict, symbols, and main character is phenomenal, heartwarming, and unforgettable. She has earned her books a spot on my bookshelf.
Works Cited
Boyd, Valerie. "She Was the Party." Rpt. in Zora Neale Hurston. Their
Eyes Were Watching God. Afterward. New York: Harper Collins
Publishing, 1937. pp. 2-7
Hurston, Zora Neale. Their Eyes Were Watching God. New York:
Harper Collins Publishers, 1937. Print.
Eyes Were Watching God. Afterward. New York: Harper Collins
Publishing, 1937. pp. 2-7
Hurston, Zora Neale. Their Eyes Were Watching God. New York:
Harper Collins Publishers, 1937. Print.
