Free Essay Historical Significance of Their Eyes Were Watching God

cypher · Uploaded by **cypher** on Sep 9, 2005

Historical Significance of Their Eyes Were Watching God

The historical significance of Hurston�s Their Eyes were Watching God is what it teaches the reader about African-American culture (particularly in the south) from the 1890�s to about the 1920�s. The book is a fabulous example of every aspect of African-American life. There are many different characters that show a different type of personality. Nanny represents an older woman who was born into slavery, and feels that Janie must have a man to protect her. Logan plays the role of the old stubborn farmer who is well off because of his land. Joe Starks is very ambitious man who is determined to make sure he sees his goals through. Tea Cake is the laborer in the swamps who has a good time with his friends. Mrs. Turner represents the racism that was still prevalent during this time. Janie is looking for where she fits into this picture. The residents of Eatonville who sit in front of the Starks� store also represent people who are opposite from Joe in the fact that they are happy with their situation, and if Joe hadn�t come along, who knows how long it would of taken. There are more mundane examples of culture through food�I don�t know how many times something is being cooked or eaten, and music (mainly with Tea Cake and the other laborers). I think there is a fair amount of violence. Janie gets hit by two of the three husbands (the other one threatens her with violence). Janie eventually shoots Tea Cake. Tea Cake gets roughed up after a night of gambling. The book talks about what is done for entertainment; jook joints, talking (lots of talking). It deals with rape; both Janie�s mother and grandmother were raped. It deals with class; Janie was laughed at as school child because her clothes were nicer than other kids, and when Tea Cake and her are married he think she may not accept his friends because they aren�t as classy. Of course there is think the vernacular used in all of the dialogues. Every aspect of African-American life is represented in this book�from shopping to talking to marriage to domestic abuse. The way the book is able to incorporate many characters from different backgrounds, yet it keeps true to the southern African-American theme; that is why this book is a great demonstration of African-American culture of that era.