Their Eyes Were Watching God Symbol Analysis

Zora Neale Hurston exemplifies symbolism in Their Eyes Were Watching God when she uses the horizon, the porch, the bees and trees (nature), and Janie’s hair as symbols.
As a horizon is never out of sight, neither is hope. The horizon symbolizes hope, the possibility of things to change. "Ships at a distance have every man's wish on board. For some they come in with the tide. For others they sail forever on the horizon, never out of sight, never landing until the Watcher turns his eyes away in resignation, his dreams mocked to death by Time. That is the life of men." (Hurston 1) Janie's dream remains on the horizon for most of her life. She can wish and hope for better things, but she lives in reality that is very different. From the beginning, Janie's dreams are limited by her circumstances. The horizon represents hope, the possibility for change, better things and improvement, and a future for possibility.

The texture and appearance of her hair reflects her white father and grandfather. Janie’s hair represents her independence and power, because when Joe Starks forced her to keep her hair in a rag, it constrained her feminist and hides her true identity, like she wants to be accepted by the community for who she is and her husband’s commands are constricting her from that, her hair represents her relationships and attraction, because she is known for her long and beautify hair, as the porch can easily identify her for her long and beautiful