Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neal Hurston - Book Report/Review Example

Thus, I find it exciting to read the following chapters, which are from Chapter 2 to Chapter 20, since substantial questions began to stir up my mind upon reading Chapter 1: (1)"Who is this mysterious lady" (2) "Why are the town's people seem to be gossiping around as she passes by" (3) "What are the events that must have happened prior to this scene" and most of all, (4) Why is 'Their Eyes Were Watching God' the title of the story What does this mean" As I go with the flow of the story, the details, or background, of Nanny's (Janie's grandmother) life provided me with a hint on the "race" issue/angle of the story as well as the abuse and inferiority of women, as evidenced by the slavery and rape cases (of Nanny and Leafy, Janie's mother).

Moreover, I have also perceived how Janie's character evolved from an obedient granddaughter (in the sense that she abides by her grandmother's wish to marry Logan, though she protests/resists the idea at first) to a submissive wife to her husbands (though she just holds her resentments on Logan and Jody) and to her transformation as a "free" woman, that is, an individual who has liberated herself from life's complexities (including social norms and gender expectations) that had held her in captivity for so long.

With regard to this, I can say that her being "obedient" and "submissive" are only outward behaviors because deep inside her are constant struggles to be free and to find the real meaning of life. On the other hand, I also thought that Janie's character would be miserable and too exhausting, especially in her passive role as a wife to Jody. However, I was astonished by her retaliation and expression of grievances as she fights back to the insults, which are held by Jody upon her. Moreover, I felt the rise of tension and energy upon reading these lines:"Janie finally releases her pent-up aggression.

She insults his sagging body and declares that he looks like "de change uh life" when naked. The force of the insult stuns the men on the porch. Jody feels impotent, his reputation in the town diminished, and his power vanishing". (SparkNotes: Their Eyes Were Watching God)Yes, upon reading those lines, I couldn't help but utter "go, girl! It's your turn", as I find that part very propelling. In the same manner, I was also captivated by that part when "she rips off her head-rag, freeing her imprisoned hair", which signifies her liberation from Jody's "tyranny" and "egotism", not to mention his being controlling.

On a lighter side, I was also captivated by a spark that was created by the attraction between Janie and Tea Cake, which in due course paved the way for Janie to experience the real meaning of love and maintaining her dignity as an individual. Finally, the most important quotation that enlightened me upon reading the whole story is this:"The wind came back with triple fury and put out the light for the last time. They sat in company with the others in other shanties, their eyes straining against crude walls and their souls asking if He meant to measure their puny might against His.

They seemed to be staring at the dark, but their eyes were watching god." (SparkNotes: Their Eyes Were Watching God)At first, the quotation may seem so vague and too deep to be analyzed. Nonetheless, I was able to grasp its thought, or idea, upon reading a relevant reference. According to SparkNotes (2009), the said quotation sums up the core conflict of the novel "humans against God, Janie, and the others against nature". In this manner, despite the odds which were brought about by the surrounding people along with the society's gender expectations, Janie was able to rise up and free herself, thus she survives and regains her individuality.

Consequently, the ways in which Zora Neal Hurston presented the events, settings, and the build-up of characters, particularly Janie's character, as well as the important quotations are hereby those techniques that held my attention as I read her exemplary masterpiece.