Their Eyes Were Watching God Rhetorical Analysis
Ariela Gavrilov
Kanu – 7
Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neal Hurston
Literary Criticism
By Bethany Maupin
“In the male-dominated society of the early 1900s, women had a certain place with specific duties to fulfill. Women were pretty to look at, but had no mind of their own. Thus, they didn’t need to make speeches, voice their opinion, or vote. Women could work in the home, on the farm, or in a store, but that was as close as they got to the world of the men. Outside of work, women did not join in the activities of the men. A woman’s opinions and beliefs were defined by her husband; each wife was a silent, supportive shadow. Into a society with this ingrained mindset stepped Zora Neale Hurston, leading the way for other …show more content…
Chapters 2-20 are all stories Janie is telling to Pheoby. Janie tells a flashback of a life story told by the omniscient narrator.
Author’s Tone:
In the novel, Their Eyes Were Watching God, the tone is mostly compassionate, sympathetic, and having tender feelings. The African American culture is very much focused on by the author. The author, Hurston, uses a plethora of conversations between friends and neighbors that use their cultural dialect. The book is more realistic, down-to-earth, and life-like because of the way Hurston wrote the book and it makes it more special.
Imagery “This business of the head-rag irked her endlessly. But Jody was set on it. Her hair was NOT going to show in the store” Page 55
Janie was unhappy & annoyed because she was not allowed to let down her gorgeous hair in the store.
“Done took to high heel slippers and a ten dollar hat! Looking like some young girl, always in blue because Tea Cake told her to wear it. Poor Joe Starks. Bet he turns in his grave every day.” Page
Kanu – 7
Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neal Hurston
Literary Criticism
By Bethany Maupin
“In the male-dominated society of the early 1900s, women had a certain place with specific duties to fulfill. Women were pretty to look at, but had no mind of their own. Thus, they didn’t need to make speeches, voice their opinion, or vote. Women could work in the home, on the farm, or in a store, but that was as close as they got to the world of the men. Outside of work, women did not join in the activities of the men. A woman’s opinions and beliefs were defined by her husband; each wife was a silent, supportive shadow. Into a society with this ingrained mindset stepped Zora Neale Hurston, leading the way for other …show more content…
Chapters 2-20 are all stories Janie is telling to Pheoby. Janie tells a flashback of a life story told by the omniscient narrator.
Author’s Tone:
In the novel, Their Eyes Were Watching God, the tone is mostly compassionate, sympathetic, and having tender feelings. The African American culture is very much focused on by the author. The author, Hurston, uses a plethora of conversations between friends and neighbors that use their cultural dialect. The book is more realistic, down-to-earth, and life-like because of the way Hurston wrote the book and it makes it more special.
Imagery “This business of the head-rag irked her endlessly. But Jody was set on it. Her hair was NOT going to show in the store” Page 55
Janie was unhappy & annoyed because she was not allowed to let down her gorgeous hair in the store.
“Done took to high heel slippers and a ten dollar hat! Looking like some young girl, always in blue because Tea Cake told her to wear it. Poor Joe Starks. Bet he turns in his grave every day.” Page