Zora Neale Hurston Identity

305 Words2 Pages
Each of Janie’s relationships has a unique effect on her voice and her individuality. Hurston’s novel depicts Janie’s life as a series of events which help her to eventually obtain a “voice”, meaning the acceptance and self-expression of the person that she realizes herself to be. But it’s important to note that Janie does not undergo her transformation alone. Through each relationship, Janie learns the importance of a strong sense of self and learns to appreciate her independence. The gender differences that Hurston adopts require that men and women supply each other things that they need but do not own themselves. Janie views a satisfying relationship as reciprocal, based on mutual respect, and where both partners are happy. Underneath the