Analysis of “Their Eyes Were Watching God” Essay

The search for ones identity is as poignant for the fictional character Janie as it was for former slave Frederick Douglass. Douglass employ education to form an independent identity, which would separate him from the white slave masters. In contrast, Janie attempts to construct a dependent identity finished marriage to to distributively one of her three husbands. With the death of her final husband Tea surface, she plants the seeds he leftover behind, symbolically proving that she has grown as the seeds will grow and she is now a woman with her own identity. Janies prototypal husband Logan does non interpret that like any plant, Janie needs room to grow. He gives Janie material advantages through his sixty acres of land, but does not know how to treat her as his wife and not a servant. The reader receives a glimpse into his inwardness as he sobs while shouting his suspicion that she is planning to furnish him, proving that he does want to please her.Through their lack of communication, however, Janie feels that the relationship is knackered and leaves to marry Joe Starks, whom she believes will ever so provide her with springtime. Joe Starks gives her material wealth as well as a prominent dress in the community of interests for the price of her ultimate subservience. He is a jealous husband so she is not allowed to let her hair down in the store for charge that other men might covet it, and he refuses to let her mob part in the community gatherings outside the store. After seven age of marriage and constant submission, Janie reflects on their relationship, realizing that She wasnt petal-open with him anymore.As in her first marriage, Joe wants someone who will serve him and fill the role of the mayors wife, not an equal partner. While married to Joe she can only be the mayors wife and receive respect through his position instead of receiving respect for herself. Janies final marriage to Tea Cake teaches her to love herself, though at first s he still is dependent upon having a man around for a sense of identity. She places great importance on his desire to play checkers with her and it seems as though Janie will always need a man beside her for fulfillment.Tea Cake shows her to love each aspect of herself. Janie comments on their blooming relationship during the hurricane, If you can see the glister at daybreak, you dont keer if you die at dusk. Its so many people never seen de inflammation at all. Janies light is her newfound ability to realize her worth. When Tea Cake is bit by the mad dog and attempts to bite her Janie saves herself, knowing that he loved her more. At the novels conclusion Janie says, Two things everybodys got tuh do fuh theyselves. They got tuh go tuh God, and they got tuh find out about livin fuh theyselves. Thus power of truth for Janie is not book knowledge, but rather the knowledge that she has grown to discover an identity all her own.