By: Jakob Lindquist
Set in 1930’s rural Florida, Their Eyes Were Watching God, by Zora Neale Hurston, tells the story of Janie Crawford, a beautiful black woman searching for herself. Janie is a girl that has always attracted attention wherever she goes. Her search for herself and meaning in her life can be described in the three main relationships she has in this story. Her grandmother, who raised her, believes that security and social status will bring Janie happiness so she wishes to marry her to Logan Killicks, a much older and established farmer. Janie’s marriage to Killicks does not last long because she feels unloved and used. Her obedience to her grandmother’s wishes has not given her any insight into how to live her life the best possible way. Janie’s second husband enters her life with him she feels she will gain more of the love and freedom she craves. Jody Starks literally sweeps her off her feet so that Janie makes a decision to leave Logan and marry Starks. By doing this she feels she will gain the freedom, fun, and status she desires. This second marriage quickly becomes similar to her first one, leaving Janie once again searching for more. Jody oppresses Janie and doesn’t allow her the chance to grow as a person. She must simply live in his shadow, work in the store, and keep his house. This marriage dissolves when, after almost two decades of repression, Janie explodes publically towards Jody with all her pent up frustration. Janie finds new freedom when Jody dies and likes it. She is happy and free to do as she pleases. Along comes Tea Cake, her third relationship, who treats her as she has longed to be treated, as an equal. Scandal rocks Eatonville as Janie sells the store and leaves town to marry Tea Cake who is twelve years younger than her. Though their first weeks of marriage are marked by mistakes, the two become stronger for it. Settling in the Everglades, they work and play hard. It is with Tea Cake that Janie discovers exactly who she is and lives her life the way she wants to live it. Tragedy strikes Janie once again when a hurricane blows through the Everglades. Through this tragedy, Janie finally comes to peace with herself and her life.
