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What Does The Pear Tree Symbolize In Their Eyes Were Watching God

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In Their Eyes Were Watching God, by Zora Neale Hurston, Tea Cake and Janie's love fulfills the symbol of the bee and the pear tree because Tea Cake allows Janie equality, love, and passion. Janie begins her life learning about love through a bee and a pear tree. She learns of the passion, equality, and love both the pear tree and bee have for each other. The pear tree allows the bee to be enveloped in the petals where neither partner is dominant but full of love and devotion for each other. Janie found this love through Tea Cake. Unlike her previous relationships that were full of contention and sadness, she has found the perfect love by being with Tea Cake. When Janie first meets Tea Cake she finds him very attractive and agreeable to be around. He asks her to play checkers with him and teaches her the rules of the game. …show more content…

Somebody wanted her to play. Somebody thought it was natural for her to play. That was even nice” (Hurston116-117). Allowing Janie to play checkers with him gives her more freedom and creates the start of an equal relationship. Janie has become more than just a pretty face but a person who uses her mind. Just like the bee and pear tree are an equal partnership, this relationship starts as neither one being dominant but allowing one another to cling to each other and create a full and loving relationship. The bee and pear tree are respectful of each other and the bee does not attack the pear tree but helps it to bloom and flourish. Tea Cake allows Janie to bloom by letting her speak her mind unlike previous relationships who belittled her and disparaged her ideas.He is willing to teach her and let her have a voice during this

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