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Loading... Their Eyes Were Watching God (original 1937; edition 2006)by Zora Neale Hurston
Work InformationTheir Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston (1937)
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I read this after seeing the first episode of Great American Read, and I am glad I did. Hurston wrote a masterpiece that grabbed me from the very beginning with language, characters and story. I can see myself going back to this book and devouring scenes over and over through the years. I suggest listening to the audiobook read by Ruby Dee. This helped me get the vernacular in my mind while reading. The slow drawl of Ms. Dee is perfect for the novel. Belongs to Publisher Seriesedition fünf (7) Harper Perennial Olive Editions (2010 Olive) Virago Modern Classics (199) Is contained inHas the adaptationIs abridged inI Love Myself When I Am Laughing... and Then Again When I Am Lookin Mean and Impressive: A Zora Neale Hurston Reader by Zora Neale Hurston Daughters of Africa: An International Anthology of Words and Writings by Women of African Descent from the Ancient Egyptian to the Present by Margaret Busby Has as a reference guide/companionHas as a studyHas as a commentary on the textHas as a student's study guideHas as a teacher's guideAwardsNotable Lists
Janie Crawford, a Southern Black woman in the 1930's, journeys from being a free-spirited girl to a woman of independence and substance. No library descriptions found.
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Google Books — Loading... GenresMelvil Decimal System (DDC)813.52Literature English (North America) American fiction 20th Century 1900-1944LC ClassificationRatingAverage:
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Janie is a young African-American woman with dreams of romance. She experiences a longing "for the world to be made." (p. 11) These dreams are circumvented by her grandmother who marries her off to Logan Killicks, a well-off older man so that Janie can have a more secure life. Janie tries to love him, but finally realizes that "marriage does not make love. Janie's first dream was dead, so she became a woman." (p. 25)
She eventually runs off twice to find a better, more adventurous life. The first one, Joe Starks, intends to become a rich and important person. Although his plans prove successful, the life Janie lives becomes suffocating. It is only when she meets Tea Cake, who has nothing but love to offer, does she learn to live fully and adventurously. "She pulled in her horizon like a great fish-net....so much of life in its meshes! She called in her soul to come and see."
The book gives a first hand account of the African American experience of the early 20th century- the racism and classism(based on not only money but racial features-i.e. Mrs. Turner who "built an altar to Cuaucasian characteristics for all" p. 145) experienced, the search for a voice and a place to make a free and independent life, as well as the misogyny evident in the lives of women. (For instance, in a fit of jealousy, Tea Cake whips Janie and then is proud that due to her light skin, every bruise is visible.)
This brilliant novel cocludes that the gossip that surrounds her come from people that have never truly experienced life or love. "Two things everybody's got tuh do fuh theyselves. They got tuh go tuh God, and they got to find out about livin fu theyselves." (p. 192)
How true! There is a reason this book is one of the list of "The Greatest Books". ( )