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Their Eyes Were Watching God By Zora Neale Hurston

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The novel Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston is an invaluable contribution to the feminist and gender discourse, as it provides a unique perspective on the intersection of gender and race, and offers a powerful example of female self-determination.

The novel Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston is an invaluable contribution to feminism. Hurston uses her novel to portray an independent woman, Janie, who is on a journey to find her own identity and realize her ambitions. As Janie states, “Ah done been tuh de horizon and back and now Ah kin set heah in mah house and live by comparisons” (Chapter 15, p.140). Hurston uses Janie to demonstrate that women are capable of living life on their own terms, without the need for a man’s approval. Janie’s determination and strength is further highlighted when she exclaims, “She had an inside and an outside now and suddenly she knew how not to mix them” (Chapter 7, p.70). Hurston’s novel is a valuable contribution to feminism as it shows that women are capable of being independent and can …show more content…

Here, Hurston conveys the idea of freedom and independence of African American women, a freedom which is often hindered by gender and race. At another point in the novel, Hurston states, "She felt the old thrill of touching the secret springs of life that made her feel the pull of unknown forces" (90, Chapter 10). This quote speaks to the idea of African American women having the power to control their own destiny, despite the restrictions imposed upon them by society and gender roles. Through these two quotes, Hurston provides a unique perspective on how gender and race can be used to limit people, but how individuals can still find freedom despite these restrictions and as long as they have faith in

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