Zora Neale Hurston Character Analysis
During the post-civil war era, most “colored people did not know how to be free” (Houston Hartsfield Holloway). The abolishment of slavery was a major event that led blacks to desire fulfillment in life. Zora Neale Hurston demonstrates this through Janie’s life and the people she encounters. Each character provides a different outlook on life and their values are distinct from Janie’s. The novel questions what true happiness is via Janie’s influences and her quest to find love.
The character that heavily influences Janie when growing up is Nanny. Nanny still has the mindset of a slave so her views are much different than what Janie would see. She wants Janie to have a better life than she did, so she arranges the marriage with Logan. She …show more content…
A prime example of that would be Tea Cake. His happiness redirected from gambling to Janie. He used the winnings to support her. Out of Janie’s three husbands, Tea Cake was Janie’s only true love.
Janie’s quest for happiness wasn’t fulfilled until she met Tea Cake. Nanny made it clear to her that she felt Janie wouldn’t get anywhere in life and would only stop working for white folk if she married a hard working man. Once married to Logan, Janie realized she was unsatisfied with that mindset and the fact that he didn’t care for much, leading a simple life. Tea Cake became Janie’s fulfillment in life. He taught her to live life to the fullest, something that made her happy. He wanted Janie to reach her horizon in life, the happiness she always wanted.
Their Eyes Were Watching God contains the viewpoints of what “happiness” was in the time period and gives feedback on the gratification that should be searched for. During the Reconstruction, people had to adjust to change and found contentment through things such as gambling and love. The ideas of having a certain place in society, or role, diminished once black folk were given their freedom so new ideas came about. Everyone soon became anxious to reach their own horizon, just as Janie
The character that heavily influences Janie when growing up is Nanny. Nanny still has the mindset of a slave so her views are much different than what Janie would see. She wants Janie to have a better life than she did, so she arranges the marriage with Logan. She …show more content…
A prime example of that would be Tea Cake. His happiness redirected from gambling to Janie. He used the winnings to support her. Out of Janie’s three husbands, Tea Cake was Janie’s only true love.
Janie’s quest for happiness wasn’t fulfilled until she met Tea Cake. Nanny made it clear to her that she felt Janie wouldn’t get anywhere in life and would only stop working for white folk if she married a hard working man. Once married to Logan, Janie realized she was unsatisfied with that mindset and the fact that he didn’t care for much, leading a simple life. Tea Cake became Janie’s fulfillment in life. He taught her to live life to the fullest, something that made her happy. He wanted Janie to reach her horizon in life, the happiness she always wanted.
Their Eyes Were Watching God contains the viewpoints of what “happiness” was in the time period and gives feedback on the gratification that should be searched for. During the Reconstruction, people had to adjust to change and found contentment through things such as gambling and love. The ideas of having a certain place in society, or role, diminished once black folk were given their freedom so new ideas came about. Everyone soon became anxious to reach their own horizon, just as Janie