Their Eyes Were Watching God Gender Equality Analysis

The Clarion Call for Gender Equality In late 1800s and early 1900s, there was a constant struggle for women's rights all over the world. In the United States, women fought for their right to vote in order to have a say in their government, while in the Middle East, women fought to have a voice in their own society and eradicate the strict division between men and women. An abundance of literature was created to emphasize the struggles women faced in their societal roles, and this led to the formation of many movements. Their Eyes Were Watching God, written by Zora Neale Hurston, is a novel that illustrates the life of a woman who endures the harsh conditions of a patriarchal society in the American South . A Thousand Splendid Suns, a novel

As Janie, the main character, begins her story, she recalls a moment with her second husband, a rich man named Jody. At first, she describes him as a caring and responsible man, but as her story continues it starts to reveal how he represents the dominant nature of men. When Jody becomes mayor, the crowd asks his wife Janie to give a speech; however he quickly replies, “ Thanks yuh fuh yo’ compliments, but mah wife don’t know nothin’ ‘bout no speech-makin’...She’s uh women and her place is in de home”( Hurston 61). Hurston goes on to describe how men limit women's intellectual ability and potential. Jody stops Janie from giving a short speech about him becoming mayor; not just because he believes she is housewife, but he believes that women are not educated enough to give speeches. Unfortunately, this was the story of all women living in the south during the early 1900s. They were not allowed to participate in any job that men thought were too advanced for a women's intellectual

On the day of their anniversary, Janie starts to complain about the lack of love she feels in her marriage. However, as she continues to add remarks about their marriage, Jody gets up and slaps her at their dinner, causing Janie to sit back down and keep her thoughts to herself (Hurston 91). By illustrating this event, the author addresses a message about how men oppressed women's choices and opinions. Throughout the southern states, women had no voice in their society or in their own home. If they ever spoke up, or tried to stand up for something they thought was wrong, men would either beat them or make many impolite remarks. Jody’s actions reflect the social mindset many men living in the south possessed. By acting like dictators, these men would make sure their wives would obey their