The Nature Of Love In Their Eyes Were Watching God By Zora Neale Hurston

Their Eyes Were Watching God is a novel by Zora Neale Hurston, published in 1937. It tells the story of Janie Crawford, a Black woman in early 20th-century Florida, and her search for love and self-fulfillment. The notion of love is central to the novel, Hurston portrays love in various forms, including romantic love, self-love, and even familial love. The novel also explores the different ways that love had been manifested, whether it was from arranged marriages or amorous romances and the impact it can have on individuals and relationships. In this research paper, we will analyze the nature of love in Their Eyes Were Watching God and how it furthered Janie’s journey to self-realization, including the capacities and limitations she faced along

However, her ideas of love and relationships are based on the harsh realities of slavery and the Jim Crow era, where financial security and social status were crucial for survival. The ideas that Nanny implanted into Janie’s head would follow her into her future relationships, relationships that would bring Janie more heartbreak than stability. Janie's relationship with Nanny is complicated because she feels that her grandmother's ideals do not align with her desires for love and happiness. Janie wants a "marriage lak when you sit under a pear tree and think (Hurston, p. 27)." When Janie tells her grandmother this is the idea of marriage she has, Nanny shuts her down immediately and manipulates Janie into thinking that Nanny’s idea of marriage is the way Janie should think as well. However, Janie still loves and respects Nanny and understands that her grandmother's experiences have shaped her beliefs. Because of the love and respect, Janie has for Nanny and Nanny’s words, Jnaie chooses the wrong men for herself because she knows these are the type

Jody's treatment of Janie is at variance with his promise to her on how she will sit on a porch and not have to drive a plow. Jody tells her that "A pretty doll-baby lak you is meant to sit on de front porch and rock and fan yo'self and eat p'taters dat other folks plant special just for you. (Hurston, p. 31)” Jody is trying to tell Janie that she will be a trophy wife, one that will look good as an accessory for him and his home. Jody wants Janie to just mindlessly follow him and his rules, he does not have to love her since he only married her so that he could have a subordinate. This marriage only hurt Janie. She had to endure both mental abuse and physical abuse in her marriage to Jody. Not only that but just like with Killicks, Jody stifled Janie’s journey to self-realization. With Janie's third marriage to Tea Cake Woods, however, is different. Janie and Tea Cake's relationship is based on mutual love and respect, and they share a deep emotional connection. Tea Cake treats Janie as an equal and encourages her to pursue her dreams, which is