Their Eyes Were Watching God Literary Techniques

Zora Neale Hurston’s highly acclaimed novel Their Eyes Were Watching God demonstrates many of the writing techniques described in How to Read Literature like a Professor by Tomas C. Foster. In Foster’s book, he describes multiple reading and writing techniques that are often used in literature allowing the reader to better understand the deeper meaning of a text. These styles of writing are very prevalent in Hurston’s novel. Her book follows the heart wrenching story of an African American woman named Janie as she struggles in her pursuit of finding love. Hurston is able to communicate Janie’s great quest for love through the use of a vampire character, detailed geography, and sexual symbolism; all of which are described in Foster’s book. Hurston

It is set during the 1900’s, with the majority of the story taking place in the first African American founded town of Eatonville (Hurston xiv). This however is just the setting. The geography is not defined by just the place and time period, but so much more. The geography is anything that affects the character in any way (Foster 182). The ideas of the characters, the political world, and the psychology of the town all contribute to the geography of the story. In Hurston’s novel the geography plays a very important role on the development of the story. It provides the explanation for the majority of the plot. The reason that Janie married Logan, even though she did not love him, was a result of the social expectations of a woman during that era. She was also influenced by her grandmother to do so. Social norms are therefore an aspect of the geography. Janie and Tea Cake left Eatonville to avoid the gossip and judgement of others in town. Therefore, the gossip would be a part of the geography as well. Eatonville was an all African American community which is why there was less prejudice. Racial tensions would once again be an aspect of the geography. All these examples exhibit the geography, which is why it is imperative to the story. Geography is the major force of everything that happens within the story. It allows the reader to better understand the world the characters live in. The reader is able to imagine themselves within the time period and connect with the story. It helps Hurston tell her story by setting the backdrop. The geography provides an explanation for everything that happens in the story, allowing Huston to better tell her tale. Geography is an important aspect of the story because it gives reason to the actions of the characters and allows the reader to