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Examples Of Gender Equality In Their Eyes Were Watching God

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Throughout Their Eyes Were Watching God, Zora Neale Hurston includes the motif of games to symbolize gender equality. Hurston also uses games to symbolize Joe’s hold over Janie. While married to Jody, Janie is never allowed to play games. The other women of the town use games as an excuse to sit on the porch and talk. Jody does not want Janie sitting on the porch or similarly conversing with the other women. After Jody dies, Tea Cake comes into town and flirts with Janie. He asks her to play checkers with him, and after being deprived of playing games, Janie feels that this meant he respects her and feels as though they are equal. The game of checkers is used to represent respect and equality. Joe also plays “games” with Janie. He constantly

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