New Historicism in Their Eyes Were Watching God
New Historicism and Eyes Watching God
New Historicism has developed from the "New" Criticism's inclination to treat
works of literature in a historical way. The New Historicist conditions include the fact
that images and narratives do important cultural work. They serve as a kind of workshop
where cultural problems, hopes, and obsessions are addressed or avoided. Consequently,
New Historicists argue that the best backdrop for interpreting literature is to place it in its
historical context. New Historicism plays an important role in understanding Zora Neale
Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God. There are many problems and issues that are
touched by the author, mostly through the recollection of the main character, Janie
Crawford.
Racism is one of the main issues addressed in this novel as well. People were
discriminated against continuously because of the color of their skin. The influence of
white society is ever present, hanging over the novel like an oppressive cloud. For
example, Janie's husband Jody paints his house "a gloaty, sparkly white," (44) humiliates
the citizens of Eatonville in similar ways as the white man would, and forces Janie into the
slavish servitude reflected by the identity-confining head rag he makes her wear (51).
Janie fights Joe's tyranny by telling him off just before he dies in chapter eight. She then
reclaims her own identity by burning up "every one of her head rags" (85). Janie also
encounters Mrs. Turner, Hurston's symbol of internalized racism, who doesn't "blame de
white folks from hating (African-Americans) 'cause Ah can't stand 'em mahself" (135).
Most importantly, religion is an aspect which influences the plot. At that time,
people had little education, but their faith in God is what kept them going. They depended
on God to answer their payers. The following quote shows the point in the novel where
Hurston took the title of
New Historicism has developed from the "New" Criticism's inclination to treat
works of literature in a historical way. The New Historicist conditions include the fact
that images and narratives do important cultural work. They serve as a kind of workshop
where cultural problems, hopes, and obsessions are addressed or avoided. Consequently,
New Historicists argue that the best backdrop for interpreting literature is to place it in its
historical context. New Historicism plays an important role in understanding Zora Neale
Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God. There are many problems and issues that are
touched by the author, mostly through the recollection of the main character, Janie
Crawford.
Racism is one of the main issues addressed in this novel as well. People were
discriminated against continuously because of the color of their skin. The influence of
white society is ever present, hanging over the novel like an oppressive cloud. For
example, Janie's husband Jody paints his house "a gloaty, sparkly white," (44) humiliates
the citizens of Eatonville in similar ways as the white man would, and forces Janie into the
slavish servitude reflected by the identity-confining head rag he makes her wear (51).
Janie fights Joe's tyranny by telling him off just before he dies in chapter eight. She then
reclaims her own identity by burning up "every one of her head rags" (85). Janie also
encounters Mrs. Turner, Hurston's symbol of internalized racism, who doesn't "blame de
white folks from hating (African-Americans) 'cause Ah can't stand 'em mahself" (135).
Most importantly, religion is an aspect which influences the plot. At that time,
people had little education, but their faith in God is what kept them going. They depended
on God to answer their payers. The following quote shows the point in the novel where
Hurston took the title of