Their Eyes Were Watching God
The Harlem Renaissance was a cultural, social, and artistic explosion centered in Harlem, New York, during the 1920s, marking a period of vibrant African American intellectual life and a flourishing of black literature, music, theater, and art. "Their Eyes Were Watching God," written by Zora Neale Hurston in 1937, is deeply embedded in this context, reflecting the rich oral traditions of African American culture and the quest for identity and autonomy against the backdrop of racial and gender discrimination.
In the novel, Hurston uses dialect to authentically captures the cultural and regional nuances of its characters, enriching the narrative with a deeper sense of place and identity. If you need any assistance in understanding this dialect, click the image or the heading above to access a glossary.
Possible Essay Prompts
In what ways does the text comment upon misogyny?
How does Hurston's text make a comment upon the ways in which class impacts somebody's identity?
To what effect does Hurston use the frame narrative in her novel, Their Eyes Were Watching God?
Discuss the impact of storytelling, gossip, and communal gatherings have in the novel.
How does Hurston use character development to make significant statements in the text?
Explore how the text serves as a lens for examining America's racial history.
In what ways does the novel criticise the effects of patriarchal structures?
To what extent is this text a good example of texts from the Harlem Renaissance?
How does the text explore internalised racism?
How do the three settings contribute to the development of Janie's identity and the novel's broader themes of race and community?
How does Hurston use the natural environment to reflect on themes of love, freedom, and the human spirit's resilience?
Click the link above or the image to access materials that can develop your understanding of the text.
