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Examples Of Janie's Dreams In Their Eyes Were Watching God

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The "deaths" of Janie’s dreams In the novel "Their Eyes Were Watching God" by Zora Neale Hurston, the protagonist Janie experiences a journey of self-discovery and the loss and regaining of her dreams. Her three marriages represent different aspects of her dreams and expectations for her future. In this essay, I will explore how Janie's perception of men and her future expectations change throughout the novel, as she navigates through different relationships. Through her experience with Logan, Janie feels bewildered, as she realizes that he does not fulfill her emotional needs and desires. Janie learns that love and marriage should not be based solely on financial security and stability. Logan Killicks represents her loss of dreams in regard to love and marriage. …show more content…

Janie's second husband, Joe Starks, represents her loss of dreams in regard to personal freedom and individuality. Joe is ambitious and determined to achieve success and power, but he does not value Janie as an individual. He sees her as a trophy wife and expects her to conform to his expectations and ideals. Joe restricts Janie's personal freedom and does not allow her to express herself or pursue her own dreams. Janie's experience with Joe is transient, as she realizes that his idea of success and power does not align with her own desires and beliefs."He was a glance from God. But he didn’t seem to know it. He was a mighty hunter before the Lord. But he didn’t know it. As he boarded the train, he didn’t even glance at her, didn’t seem to know that she was there. She could see his big back and shoulders glittering with sweat. He didn’t even stop to tell her goodbye. She wondered if he ever thought of her when he got back to the turpentine camp. Probably not. He was too busy feeling the power of his maleness among men. Women were there to do for him, not to think about him. (Hurston

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