Their Eyes Were Watching God: DQ #1

As Hurston opens the novel, she provides the reader insight on the

differences of men & women. She also gives enough information on

the main character between chapters 1 and10 to allow us a

window to her struggle and the basis for her journey throughout the

novel. We learn Janie's upbringing, her thoughts and some of her

crsis'. It is obvious that she has been seeking something since

Hurston introduced us to her in chapter one.

In your opinion, why is it important that she finds what she is

looking for? Although tradition has shown to be an intricate part of

the Janie's life, discuss how this tradition has affected her and how

the lack of tradition, upon Jody's illness- and later death, becomes

empowering for Janie in her quest for freedom and understanding of

self. Consider the condemnation that may take place by those in

Eatonville and it's relevance to her struggle. Feel free to discuss your

personal views (supporting or negating); but you must provide

evidence to support your claim.

In compiling your response, consider what Janie thought would

make her happy versus the changes that have taken place between

chapters 9 and 10. Provide an intellectual response that can be

supported by the text. Remember all answers are to be written in

complete sentences.

NOTE: YOU MUST RESPOND TO AT LEAST TWO POSTS

ASIDE FROM YOUR INITIAL RESPONSE.

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Permalink Reply by Maria Mijares on September 3, 2010 at 9:18am

I agree with this, because she has had a rough life while growing up &still even now. The partners she's had, have passed away, so now that Tea Cake passed away, she feels as if she has nothing left to live for; nothing that makes her happy.

Permalink Reply by Eric Osorio on September 3, 2010 at 9:21am

I agree with what you guys are saying because that played a major role in this story

Permalink Reply by Coach Moore on September 4, 2010 at 7:52pm

Why did her life seem so rough?

Permalink Reply by Maria Mijares on September 3, 2010 at 9:12am

Well first of all, we already know what she's looking, which is she's trying to find out who she is in reality.Since when she was yng, she thought she was the color of the children she was raised with. I guess she's also trying to find where she belongs. From what I've read, all her partners that she's married or just been together with, have either left her or she doesn't want to be with them, so she leaves and finds somebody else, but then they don't settle down. In my opinion, she doesn't know what she wants yet.

Permalink Reply by Eric Osorio on September 3, 2010 at 9:16am

It's young not yng. : )

Permalink Reply by Eric Osorio on September 3, 2010 at 9:15am

Because she talks about how most women settle mereley for just dreaming. Her trying to brake that by reaching what she wants can effect many women all around her. that's why it's important that Janie finds what she is looking for.

Permalink Reply by Alyssia Yarbrough on September 3, 2010 at 9:21am

how can she find what she looking for when she dont know what she want in life or just for herself

Permalink Reply by yessenia guzman on September 3, 2010 at 9:16am

I definetly have to say that Janie gained more strenght, power and love.This has really helped her to know who she really. As Janies life procedes she is starting to know more about herself and she feels as if she was someone diffrent she has faced lots of physical,mental and emotional abuses and she wants to get to know herself more.

Permalink Reply by Brittany Stinson on September 3, 2010 at 9:18am

She probably was being somebody that she wasnt and she needs to find herself again because she was a didfferent person and nobody knew her anymore. When she was with the first husband she was trapped and coulndnt do anything and it was the same with the first husband, and with the second husband. When Jody died she was free to do whatever she wanted to do so she came back to her homeland to start a new life and change her ways.

Permalink Reply by Alyssia Yarbrough on September 3, 2010 at 9:19am

I think because of nanny telling her she is getting old and she wont be in her life long, and her that her daily prayer was to see janie grow up and become a women. And by nanny telling her that janie dont know what she want in life. Bascially janie is confused but she wants to have freedom.

Permalink Reply by Coach Moore on September 4, 2010 at 7:56pm

If freedom is the tradition that she is seeking, what has kept her from being free in chapters 1-10?

Permalink Reply by chantynice strhan on September 3, 2010 at 9:21am

i agree with justin stewart..simply because she was a tad bit stressed and all those dudes she married was stressing her and that seem to release her the fact that he died..