Their Eyes Were Watching God Research Paper

Hurston’s Argument The argument Hurston is presenting is that gender roles in the 1930’s were unfair. Women were mistreated and in Their Eyes Were Watching God, Hurston is trying to show that even though there are obstacles in life, it is important to follow your dreams/ conquer your goals even when there are hard times. During the time this novel was written, in the 1930’s, society was well influenced on the thoughts that men were superior to women and that women need men in order to have a successful life. (1930’s American Society) In this novel, Janie proves society wrong and follows her dreams instead of reality. Zora Neale Hurston grew up in the early 1900’s when racism and feminism were both taking place. Hurston, being an African American female, was discriminated against by most white people; as a result of being born right in the middle of a hostile society. Hurston’s inspiration for this book to be written was two simple ideas. One inspiration was her anger towards the way women used to be treated by men. In her books, she portrays men as violent and often the enemy to women. This could relate to why she wrote this book the way she did, which is to present men as evil, and always in control. The other inspiration for Hurston to write Their Eyes Were Watching God is from personal experiences she has had. In the book, Janie symbolizes Hurston, as Janie goes through some of the experiences Hurston goes through. Possibly the strongest inspiration for her to write this novel was her former lover, Percival Punter. In Hurston’s autobiography she reveals that the romance between Janie and Tea Cake in Their Eyes Were Watching God was inspired by a love affair she had in the past. Three weeks after this affair ended with Percival Punter, was when Hurston started writing the novel. (Their Eyes Were Watching God) Jane Neale Hurston’s intensions when writing this novel were basically for her own accomplishment and desirable fun. Her own thoughts and personal