Feminist Issues
Emily Bartlett-Glenn
"The Good the Bad and the Ugly: Critical Reception of Tea Cake and Janie's Relationship in Zora Neale Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God" discusses critics' views of Janie and Tea Cake's relationship - the positive aspects, negative aspects and Tea Cake's death. Through my research of Their Eyes Were Watching God, I found that many critics, in an effort to portray the novel as a pinnacle of feminism, either glossed over or ignored Tea Cake's poor treatment of Janie. My
paper contrasts the writings of these critics with the writings of those who addressed the negative aspects of Janie and Tea Cake's reunion. Although glossing over Tea Cake's dishonesty and physical abuse of Janie is easy, it does not enhance Janie' power as a woman, as well as her power as a strong human being, able to overcome obstacles. Furthermore, a few criticisms approached Janie and Tea Cake's relationship holistically, not separating it into "good" and "bad" or
casting Tea Cake as inherently evil or entirely good. instead, these critics saw their union as a journey, with negotiations, disagreements and agreements. In other words, these critics saw Janie and Tea Cake's relationship as just that, not a symbol or overwhelming metaphor. These critics saw their union as a journey, with negotiations, disagreements andagreements. In other words, these critics saw Janie and Tea Cake's relationship as just that, not a symbol or overwhelming metaphor. These critics' accounts are, in my opinion, the most balanced and plausible criticisms of the novel.
Holly Lang
In researching Zora Neale Hurston's novel, "Their Eyes Were Watching God", I noticed that many of the criticism and essays written were based on Janie in relation to her marriages. While I agree that this is a major concentration in the novel itself, I also believe that her relationship with other women is essential and deserving of focus. My research essay looks at each of the other women in the novel and asks the question, "How does this woman affect Janie's growth into a mature, independent and fulfilled woman." A close examination was made into Nanny's demands of Janie and Mrs. Turner's attempt to woo her away from Tea Cake.
Maureen O'Donnell
My paper looks at the gulf between Black women's goals and hopes andthe expectations of Black men about women in"Their Eyes Were WatchingGod." The first part of my paper looks at the role Nanny had in Janie'slife and how and why she felt that her granddaughter should be married toLogan Killicks. At the age of 16, the course of Janie's life and futurewas changed by this marriage. Then, looking at her life with Logan, Idiscuss how she felt about him and their marriage and what may have ledher to so quickly run off with the smooth, ambitious Jody Starks. Heappeared to hold the promise of a new life for Janie but things obviously fell apart in this case as well. Once again, her husband asserted control and power, putting Janie into her place as a wife. Finally, in her flawedbut romantically fulfilling marriage to Tea Cake, she achieved some of her and power, putting Janie into her place as a wife. Finally, in her flawedbut romantically fulfilling marriage to Tea Cake, she achieved some of her dreams, even while ignoring Tea Cake's indiscretions. Only in his deathdoes Janie finally retain a full and lasting independence and understanding of her power.
Lori Kunc
This paper argues that Hurston does not convincingly portray Janie as a strong female protagonist in the context of contemporary views of feminism and gender roles. The argument serves to point out contradictions to the idea that Janie is breaking free from gender restrictions andpre-determined sex roles.The paper initially focuses on Janie's marriages prior to Tea Cake and the types of roles that she takes on in each marriage, as well as hertransformation over the course of her marriages. Her marriage to Tea Cake is also examined for its ambivalence regarding the ways in which Janie andTea Cake treat each other and react to each others' actions in the courseof their relationship. The focus then shifts to Janie's need for a man in her life to be happy, as opposed to seeking out women to establish close bonds with. The focus then shifts to Janie's need for a man in her life to be happy, as opposed to seeking out women to establish close bonds with. The failure on Janie's part to establish strong bonds with other woman , as well as a communal relationship with women, is a main argument against the perception of Janie as an independent, strong epitome of black feminism. The paper includes research supporting the expounded arguments, as well as the refutation of research supporting the novel as a feminist text.
Anna Adkins
In Zora Neale Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God Janie finds her personality within the black culture through toil, tribulation and constant self-redefinition. After each relationship is over her attitude undergoes a metamorphosis, directing her towards her eventual independence. During her marriage to Killicks she is a naive young girl with romantic dreams that carry her into a disastrous marriage with Starks. Starks is a man with an agenda-to look high classed; and beautiful, lightskinned Janie fits right into his plan. Although her marriage with Starks is her most difficult struggle she comes through it stronger and more aware of her desires. Yet she continuously contradicts her words from her actual deeds. One example of this is during the marriage to Starks her thoughts seem to be of freedom and becoming part of the community but shecontinues to accept the demands of Starks and even succumbs to the beating of her third husband, Tea Cake, without a word. In addition, Janie tries to find her way in the two black communities of Eatonville and the muck but fights for their acceptance the whole time. The town of Eatonville seems jealous of Janie. The women feel resentful possibly because she is beautiful and is always being admired by the men of the town because of her physical appearance. The men are embittered because her light skin makes her more "white" and therefore, they believe, more respected in other societies than black men. In the muck Janie is seen as a outsider but with Tea Cake beside her she is welcomed, at least partially. Both communitiesseem to prejudge her on how she looks before they even speak with her or give her personality a chance. Also, they may be intimidated by her "white" qualities, which makes them bitter or a little uneasy towards her. However, Janie eventually makes peace with herself and gently pushes her way into the communities by exhibiting her similarities, such as storytelling, to the rest of the society. Therefore, Janie searches for her personal identity within the black race in order to liberate and free herself from the confines of men and society.
Audrey Delong
Janie's circumstances in her life shape her to become the type of person that she becomes at the end of the book. She wasn't necessarily a "feminist" or a black civil rights advocate, but some of heractions andher whereabouts caould seem as such. Janie lives aher life as a black woman and I feel that she shouldn't be labeled as any one certain figure, but perhaps just be a person living her life as she sees best.