Intro to Their Eyes Were Watching God

The story is by Zora Neale Hurston who was a writer during the Harlem Renaissance. The story is about a woman named Janie who discovers herself in a life of loss and love. In her coming of age, Janie begins to think for herself and live the way she wants to live her life.

My Name

Elise Gabrielle

My name is short for Elizabeth (like the one in the Bible) and means gift of God. My parents liked the name Elizabeth but wanted something original. A name that my dad wanted to name me was Prudence but my mom refused to have me named that. I'm glad she did because I hate that name. Gabrielle means the annunciator and is the female version of the name Gabriel, referencing the angel in the Bible. My parents believed strongly that their children should have names with meanings that go along with their values. I've always wanted to change my name to Isabella even before the story 'Twilight' came out. I always thought it was a pretty name and I had a Baby Isabelle doll when I was little.

Ten Symbols Used in Their Eyes Were Watching God

1. Janie’s Hair- Her hair is symbolic because it is beautiful and attracts a lot of attention from men because it makes her look good and women because they are jealous of it. When she wears her hair long down her back, it shows her youthfulness and carefree spirit. Thought not very young anymore, Janie has a youthful personality and doesn’t care about what others think.

2. The Overalls- The overalls symbolize Janie’s economic state during the time that she was wearing them. Earlier, she was wealthy and wore nice dresses but when she returned to town, she was without her previous wealth.

3. Pear Tree- The pear tree symbolizes Janie’s life and all that happened with in the span of years. Some of the things the tree symbolizes are the mistakes she had overcome and the revelations and realizations she made.

4. Gate- The gate symbolizes Janie’s long for a different life and how the grass is always greener on the other side.

5. Horizon- symbolizes Janie looking for hope and how far away what she wants is from where she is and what she has.

6. Mule- shows how black women like Janie carry the brunt of the work and how ill-treated they are.
7. Manure pile- symbolizes how Logan treats Janie and shows how he is trying to control her and the work he is forcing her to do.

8. Head Rag- The head rag symbolizes how Joe holds Janie back just like how the head rag holds Janie’s beautiful hair back.

9. Lamp Post- symbolizes the light of the town. It shows how far they have come and as it shines over the town, reminding the citizens of what they've accomplished.

10. Joe Stark’s House- symbolizes that though Joe is supposed to be people’s equal, he puts himself high above others.

Their Eyes Were Watching God Imagery

1. “From barren brown stems to snowy virginity of bloom.” Chapter 2, page 10

2. “She was stretched out on her back beneath the pear tree soaking in the alto chant of the visiting bees, the gold of the sun and the panting breath of the breeze when the inaudible voice of it all came to her.” Chapter 2, page 11

3. “She saw a dust-bearing bee sink into the sanctum of a bloom; the thousand sister-calyxes arch to meet the love embrace and the ecstatic shiver o the tree from root to tiniest branch creaming in ever blossom, and frothing with delight.” Chapter 2, page 11

4. “The cooling palma christi leaves that Janie had bound about her grandma’s head with a white rag had wilted down and become part and parcel of the woman.” Chapter 2, page12

5. “She saw the huge tear that welled up from Janie’s heart and stood in each eye. She saw terrible agony and the lips tightened down hold back the cry and desisted.” Chapter 2, page 12

6. “It was a lonesome place like a stump in the middle of the woods where nobody had ever been.” Chapter 3, pages 21-22

7. “The new moon had been up and down three times before she got worried in mind.” Chapter 3, page 22

8. “But when the pollen again gilded the sun and sifted down on the world she began to stand around the gate and expect things.” Chapter 3, page 25

9. “She knew the world was a stallion rolling in the blue pasture of ether. She knew that God tore down the old world every evening and built a new one by sun-up. It was wonderful to see it take from with the sun and emerge from the gray dust of its making.” Chapter 3, page 25

10. “It was a citified, stylish dressed man with his hat set at an angle that didn’t belong in these parts. His coat was over his arm, but he didn’t need it to represent his clothes. The shirt with the silk sleeveholders was dazzling enough for the world. He whistled, mopped his face and walked like he knew where he was going. He was a seal-brown color but he acted like Mr. Washburn or somebody like that to Janie.” Chapter 4, page 27