Analysis Of The Horizon In Their Eyes Were Watching God By Zora Neale Hurston

The horizon, the undefinable point at which the sea appears to meet the sky, features rolling waves gently kissing soft, wispy clouds. Each individual defines the exact point of the horizon for himself, and this point changes indefinitely from whichever shore, or perspective, the person views it from. Throughout Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston, Janie views her horizon, or ultimate objectives, from a myriad of viewpoints, and finally “pull[ed] in her horizon like a great fish-net,” and defined her individuality as a woman who rejects living passively and harnesses life’s opportunities.

Initially, Hurston defines a woman as a watcher of ships and dreams on a horizon, and a realist on the shores of life. She writes “[for

Logan called out to Janie “Come help me move dis manure pile befo’ de sun gits hot” (Hurston 31). This extremely symbolic quote marks the final separation of Janie from Logan. Unfortunately, the marriage between Janie and Logan has become no more than a pile of manure. The sun represents the rising change of Janie’s rebellion to gain independence from Logan, and the radical ideas of Joe Starks. In addition, it displays Logan’s fear of change, explaining once and for all why Janie must

After Tea Cake’s death, Hurston wrote “She had come back from burying the dead....The people all saw her because it was sundown” (Hurston 1). This quote illustrates that the brightness of change died with Tea Cake, but the memories and lessons lived on forever through each new sunrise of every forthcoming morning. Janie learned that although marriage consists of a relationship between two people, marriage must contain individuality to a particular extent. Janie finally experienced satisfaction in a marriage when Tea Cake allowed her personal freedoms and individuality through inviting her to be equal to him in such activities as playing games and hunting with guns. Although Tea Cake was not rich in monetary wealth, he was rich in opportunity for radical change in equality and individuality. In addition, Tea Cake helped Janie define her societal individuality, an entirely new concept to her, by openly inviting her to be equal in their relationship in private and in a public