In the novels, Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston and Salvage the Bones by Jesmyn Ward, characters are depicted to face discrimination and inequality due to differences such as race and gender. Gender is a complex social construct that affects people in different ways. It plays a significant role in shaping one's identity, experiences, and opportunities in life. Both the protagonist Janie in Their Eyes Were Watching God and Esch from Salvage the Bones face the majority of mistreatment due to their gender; this has a great impact on the lives of the protagonists and conjures conflict they encounter in the novel. In contrast, race, another social construct, is also a critical factor that influences one's experiences, opportunities, …show more content…
In "Their Eyes Were Watching God," the protagonist Janie is on a journey of self-discovery that involves challenging the gender norms of her community. Janie struggles to find her voice and identity in a patriarchal society where women are expected to be subservient to men. Similarly, in "Salvage the Bones," Esch, the female protagonist, is also fighting against the constraints of gender norms. Esch is pregnant at 15 years old, and she navigates the challenges of motherhood while also being denied the freedom to express her sexuality and pursue her dreams. Gender, therefore, is a more significant issue than race in these novels because it affects the characters' personal growth and development. The novels' portrayal of gender is more nuanced than their portrayal of race. The novels delve deeply into the intricacies of gender identity, including the intersections of gender, sexuality, and motherhood. The novels also highlight how gender influences relationships and social dynamics within communities. In contrast, while race is an essential factor in the novels, it is not as nuanced as the portrayal of gender. The novels highlight the experiences of Black people and their struggles in a racially oppressive society. However, the portrayal of race is not as multifaceted as the portrayal of