The Journey of Self-Discovery: Exploring Identity and Relationships in “Their Eyes Were Watching God” Their Eyes Were Watching God is a 1937 novel written by Zora Neale Hurston, a classic of the Harlem Renaissance and one of Harlem’s many known works. Exploring the Journey of Janie Crawford, a black woman from the 20th century, in rural Florida in Eatonville. Eatonville was one of the first black communities to grow with self-governing. Portraying one of the novel's protagonists, Janie Crawford learns to love herself using her voice, throughout decades of trials In contrast, looking at the many themes including power, inequality, and the importance of having a voice. In the novel Janie discovers that listening to her inner guidance is more …show more content…
One example is when the townspeople speculate about Janie’s relationship with Tea Cake, stating, “De way you tell it, it sounds like some woman in de church or someplace” (page 123). This quote demonstrates the townspeople's narrow-mindedness and tendency to impose their own values on others. Jacksonville is in contrast to the suffocating atmosphere of Eatonville, Jacksonville represents a place of liberation and self-discovery for Janie. It is in Jacksonville that Janie experiences a newfound sense of freedom and independence. One example is when Janie visits the city and reflects, “She knew now that marriage did not make love. Janie’s first dream was dead, so she became a woman” (page 79). This quote highlights Janie's realization that her happiness and fulfillment are not contingent on societal expectations of marriage. Nanny, Janie’s grandmother, played a significant role in shaping Janie’s perceptions of love and marriage. Nanny’s own experiences of oppression and trauma lead her to prioritize financial stability and relationships. Nanny's advice to Jenny is reflective of the limited options available to black women at the