Their Eyes Were Watching God Identity Analysis

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As a bee searches for a flower to pollinate, a woman seeks to find her identity, but is in chains by her oppressors. This woman is Janie Crawford. Zora Neale Hurston’s novel, Their Eyes Were Watching God explores the journey of a woman who is subjugated by her husbands because of her race and gender. Hurston challenges the cultural norm of 1900s southern society by criticizing the objectification of African American woman. When Janie breaks her chains, she embraces her independence to seek what every human being searches for: their identity. In Their Eyes Were Watching God, Hurston exposes the oppression based on race and gender in order to demonstrate how overcoming objectification can lead to independence and self-discovery.
Hurston initially …show more content…
As Joe is lying on his death bed, Janie’s built up anger and resentment unveils while she speaks her mind. Janie sheds light on Joe’s pride when she states, “‘You ain’t tried tuh pacify nobody but yo ’self. Too busy listening tuh yo’ own big voice”’ (Hurston 82). Joe does not attempt to make amends with anyone because he is blinded by his desire for power. Ironically, Hurston demonstrates Janie’s obtained voice and Joe’s lack of a voice. When Joe finally dies, Janie feels free from Joe’s control over her: “She tore off the kerchief from her head and let down her plentiful hair. The weight, the length, the glory was there” (Hurston 83). Joe made Janie wear a kerchief, which is a piece of fabric used to cover hair. When she takes off the kerchief, she symbolically unchains herself from the shackles Joe places on her. Hurston illustrates Janie’s freedom from bondage. While most widowed women would be depressed, Janie is at peace. Although society believes a woman cannot take care of themselves, Hurston declares, “she likes being lonesome for a change. This freedom feeling was fine” (Hurston 86). Janie is content without the oppression of man because she can affirm her brand-new voice. Hurston establishes Janie’s independence as she discovers a voice in a world that silences women. Janie’s liberty is a stepping stone to affirm her
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