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Gender Roles In Their Eyes Were Watching God By Hurston

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Over time, women have slowly gained more and more rights. They have become more prominent in society, making more decisions that influence their lives, as well as the lives of other people. In Their Eyes Were Watching God, Hurston highlights how the gender roles of men and women differ including women being less powerful than men, how Janie had the strength and determination to gain her own happiness, and how stereotypical roles should not play a part in society. Some people view Janie as a woman who should be dependent on her husband, following the traditional roles of women, being satisfied with her life as the less powerful sex. Janie should follow the stereotypical, traditional role women follow, where “men are encouraged… to place [themselves] at the center… while women are forced to center around and serve the needs” of others (Ellison 98). The main goal of women is to take care of the family and the home. Janie, including all other women around the world should be satisfied with her life as the less powerful sex. “A gulf of inequality between men and women… establishes men’s superiority and normative status” (Ellison 98). “The women actively participated in their part of the work, therefore, they complement the men’s part” (Gonzalez 32). This is seen when “the men hunt game and the women clean and dry the meat. The women are …show more content…

She also describes how some women, like Janie, are able to overcome the stereotypical roles. These stereotypical roles should not play a part in society. Women should not just rely on their husband, following the traditional roles of women, being satisfied with her life as the weaker sex. Women should be like Janie, searching for their inner strength to gain their happiness while overcoming these ancient viewpoints about women. So, how will this issue be buried in the years to come? Will women be able to conquer this stereotypical

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