Analysis of “Their Eyes Were Watching God” Essay

The search for geniuss identity is as poignant for the fictional character Janie as it was for former slave Frederick Douglass. Douglass utilize education to form an in reliant identity, which would separate him from the white slave masters. In contrast, Janie attempts to construct a dependent identity through marriage to each of her three conserves. With the death of her final husband tea Cake, she plants the seeds he left behind, symbolically proving that she has gr stimulate as the seeds will grow and she is now a woman with her own identity. Janies first husband Logan does not understand that like any plant, Janie needs room to grow. He gives Janie material advantages through his sixty acres of land, but does not know how to treat her as his espouse woman and not a servant. The reader receives a glimpse into his heart as he sobs while yelling his suspicion that she is planning to leave him, proving that he does want to please her.Through their lack of communication, however , Janie feels that the relationship is departed and leaves to marry Joe Starks, whom she believes will always provide her with springtime. Joe Starks gives her material wealth as well as a prominent state of affairs in the community for the price of her ultimate subservience. He is a jealous husband so she is not allowed to let her hair down in the store for fear that other hands might covet it, and he refuses to let her take part in the community gatherings outside the store. later seven years of marriage and constant submission, Janie reflects on their relationship, realizing that She wasnt petal-open with him anymore.As in her first marriage, Joe wants somebody who will serve him and fill the role of the mayors wife, not an equal partner. While married to Joe she can only be the mayors wife and receive respect through his position instead of receiving respect for herself. Janies final marriage to Tea Cake teaches her to love herself, though at first she still is dependent up on having a man around for a sense of identity. She places great importance on his desire to play checkers with her and it seems as though Janie will always need a man beside her for fulfillment.Tea Cake shows her to love each aspect of herself. Janie comments on their blooming relationship during the hurricane, If you can see the light at daybreak, you dont keer if you die at dusk. Its so many an(prenominal) people never seen de light at all. Janies light is her newfound ability to realize her worth. When Tea Cake is bit by the mad dog and attempts to bite her Janie saves herself, knowing that he loved her more. At the novels conclusion Janie says, Two things everybodys got tuh do fuh theyselves. They got tuh go tuh God, and they got tuh find out close livin fuh theyselves. Thus power of truth for Janie is not book knowledge, but rather the knowledge that she has grown to happen upon an identity all her own.