Their Eyes Were Watching God Literary Analysis Essay

Literary Analysis Essay- The Pear Tree In the novel Their Eyes Were Watching God, the pear tree is a major symbol for Janie and her growth throughout the book. Throughout the whole story, the pear tree keeps returning for Janie, in person and in her mind. The pear tree, not only holding Janie’s experience of a first kiss, holds many memories and symbols for Janie in the story. Having this tree helps Janie through many hard times, and gives her something to think about in her times of need. The pear tree serves as a means of characterizing Janie throughout the novel by symbolizing lessons for Janie, Janie’s life, and giving Janie a goal for life. In the story, the pear tree characterizes Janie by being a symbol for her. At the beginning of the story, Janie watches a bee gathering pollen from a blossom on the tree. “ She saw a dust-bearing bee sink into the sanctum of a bloom; the thousand sister-calyxes arch to meet the love embrace and the ecstatic shiver of the tree from root to tiniest branch creaming in every blossom and frothing with delight,” (Hurston, 1937, p. 11). The bee gathering pollen became a reference for Janie throughout the rest of the story. “He could be a bee to a blossom—a pear tree blossom in the spring,” (Hurston, 1937, p. 106). After seeing the bee and the blossom, Janie wanted to find a connection like that in her life. She

The pear tree serves as a means of characterizing Janie throughout the novel by symbolizing Janie’s lessons, her life, and providing a life goal for Janie. Without the pear tree, Janie could have been much more lost throughout her life. From a young age, Janie looked up to the pear tree. The pear tree, in my opinion, is very similar to a mentor. For Janie, she looked up to the pear tree as a guide during her journey. Helping Janie throughout her life, the pear tree helps build Janie’s character and helps Janie know what she wants for