Sexism In Their Eyes Were Watching God

Their Eyes Were Watching God What do a bee and a flower have in common with marriage? Even if by accident, nature intends for a mutual relationship of growth and blossoming between two partners. Zora Neal Hurston’s novel, Their Eyes Were Watching God, follows Janie Crawford, who attempts to find herself despite the presence of extreme sexism and two dominating husbands. Janie’s husbands represent different periods in her life; each separation has a different impact on Janie by serving as a life lesson and broadening her world perspective. Her first husband, Logan Killicks, represents the old in every way. The main reason Janie marries him is because of Nanny’s traditional way of thinking, which is marrying for stability over happiness. Nanny

He, even in her eyes, is not perfect, however they love each other mutually. For once, one of Janie’s husbands is not trying to dominate and make himself superior. Janie states this mutual love for him at their relationship’s beginning by saying, “he could be a bee to a blossom — a pear tree blossom in the spring”(Hurston ). At last, the mutual relationship like a bee and blossom is possible, both benefit and neither feels left out. He teaches her to shoot, hunt, play checkers, and work outside. Instead of telling Janie what to do he gives her options, creating a two way relationship instead of a dominant partner. As well as being a good man, the circumstances change, in the past Janie had no way to support herself and was younger. In comparison to her old relationships, Janie is older and has quite a bit of money to keep herself standing while with Tea Cake. Janie also loves how sweet and caring Tea Cake is. He expresses his love constantly, like in chapter eleven when he claims, “Things lak dat got uh whole lot tuh do wid convenience, but it ain’t got nothin’ tuh do wid love."(Hurston ). Tea Cakes communicates how he feels constantly, in this quote he claims that despite her age, he loves her unconditionally. As a result this helps to bring them closer as well as shut down her insecurities. The death of Vergible also teaches Janie a cruel lesson, that love can be taken as fast as

Despite being unhappy for so long she manages to find a man she can truly be herself with and that love is possible. On this journey she discovers things about herself, life, and love, eventually being able to that one pollinating bee for her pear