Empowerment In Their Eyes Were Watching God

Their Eyes Were Watching God: An Exploration of Female Empowerment and Departure From The Harlem Renaissance In Zora Neale Hurston’s Novel “Their Eyes Were Watching God” it reflects a departure from the key concepts of female empowerment through the character of Janie Crawford, using aspects such as the pear tree and the horizon to show how she challenges the traditional gender roles and expectations during that era. She shows that departure as Janie Crawford experiences personal growth and empowerment. On page 11 Zora Writes “ She was stretched on her back beneath the pear tree soaking in the alto chant of the visiting bees, the gold of the sun and the panting breath of the breeze when the inaudible voice of it all came to her… Oh to be a pear tree– any tree in bloom! With bees singing of the beginning of the world! She was sixteen. She had glossy leaves and bursting buds and she wanted to struggle with life but it seemed to elude her. Where were the singing bees for her?” In this first symbol Zora uses a pear tree for Janie’s yearning of self-realization and personal freedom. The image of the pear tree growing to go full bloom represents how Jaine went through or is going through puberty and is actively trying to achieve more individual fulfillment. This departure from the Harlem Renaissance focus on racial identity highlights Zora’s emphasis on the importance of personal liberation

He spoke for changes and chance. Still she hung back. The memory of Nanny was still powerful and strong.” This quote shows the conflict between individualism and collective identity while also challenging the traditional gender roles, same as with the Harlem renaissance African Americans fought for their own identity as women tried to break the normal gender