Feminism in ¨Their eyes were watching God¨ Before the twentieth Century, ladies were thought to be property of their spouses. This domination hindered them from becoming something better. Zora Hurston's novel, ¨Their eyes were watching God¨, is about a young southern woman finding true love in a traditional society. Throughout the novel Janie, finds herself in very difficult situations where her abilities were hindered due to the inability to express herself.. In a patriarchal biased society, women are prevented from reaching their full potential due to abusive men, headstrong traditions, and jealousy. The abusive actions of men implement fear into women that limits them from doing what is right. The abusive actions of Jody integrated fear into Janie. Although she “fought back with her tongue”. Janie knew that what Jody was doing was wrong because she deserved better; however, she did not have enough courage to stand up for herself in fear of the “more” he would do, hence, falling into Jody’s “submission” (Hurston 71). As a wife of a husband with traditional beliefs one of her household wife duties involves cooking; one day Janie was trying to be a good wife and make her husband dinner, however, it was not up …show more content…
Out of irrational envy Tea Cake ”whipped” Janie and this limits her independence because it is difficult for her to detach from the pressures of “jealousy” that Tea Cake holds over her. The action of being able to slap Janie made Tea Cake feel like he had “possession” over her (Hurston 147). On the other hand, Joe was so jealous of other men looking at Janie’s luscious “hair” that he made her hide it away. Janie is unable to style her own hair how she prefers to do it all because Joe got a little “jealous” and is insecure about losing Janie to another man (Hurston 55). Jealously unleashes a man's quick temper, resulting in abuse towards a submissive