Their Eyes Were Watching God: Analysis of Major Characters
**Their Eyes Were Watching God: Analysis of Major Characters Overview**
"Their Eyes Were Watching God," a novel by Zora Neale Hurston, features Janie Crawford Killicks Starks Woods as its central character, a black woman navigating through three marriages over thirty years. Initially, Janie is depicted as a romantic individual, drawn to the idea of love symbolized by a blossoming pear tree. Her journey towards independence is marked by her relationships with Logan Killicks, her first husband, who represents societal expectations, and Joe Starks, her ambitious second husband, whose growing power ultimately stifles Janie's spirit. In contrast, her third husband, Vergible "Tea Cake" Woods, embodies love and encouragement, allowing Janie to explore her individuality. Supporting characters like Nanny Crawford, Janie's grandmother, and Pheoby Watson, her loyal friend, also play significant roles in shaping her identity. Additionally, Mrs. Turner, a light-skinned woman who holds prejudiced views toward darker-skinned individuals, adds a layer of complexity to the narrative. This exploration of relationships and personal growth invites readers to reflect on themes of love, independence, and societal pressures.
Their Eyes Were Watching God: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Zora Neale Hurston
First published: 1937
Genre: Novel
Locale: Florida
Plot: Bildungsroman
Time: c.1897–1921
Janie Crawford Killicks Starks Woods, the novel's central character, a beautiful, romantic, and hopeful black woman who, over the course of thirty years and three marriages, grows into an attractive, life-affirming, and independent woman. As an adolescent, Janie imagines life and especially marriage as a blossoming pear tree kissed by singing bees. She has her first experience of sexual ecstacy under the pear tree in her grandmother's backyard. Her first two marriages end in disappointment, but Tea Cake, her third husband, reminds her of a pear tree blossom in spring. Even after Janie kills Tea Cake in self-defense, he lives in her memory, associated with sunshine and life's plenty.
Nanny Crawford, Janie's grandmother, who rears Janie while keeping house for the white Washburn family. Born into slavery, Nanny flees a Georgia plantation when its white mistress, rightly suspecting Nanny to be her husband's lover, threatens to kill her and sell her daughter Leafy (later Janie's mother). Leafy is raped by her schoolteacher and leaves Janie to be reared by Nanny. Because experience has taught Nanny that “de nigger woman is de mule uh de world,” she forces Janie to marry for protection rather than love. Nanny dies a month after Janie's first wedding, unforgiven by Janie.
Logan Killicks, Janie's first husband, an older, responsible, and well-to-do farmer and landowner. Janie, at the age of sixteen, thinks that he looks like “some ole skullhead in de grave yard” and marries him only because Nanny insists. When Logan decides to buy a second mule so that Janie can work in the fields, she runs off with Joe Starks and never sees Logan again.
Joe Starks, Janie's ambitious second husband, whose goal is to become rich and powerful. Janie runs off with him because he promises her comfort and social position and because he reminds her of rich white people. In the black town of Eatonville, Florida, Joe opens a store and is elected mayor. As he gains power, however, he becomes less loving and less loved: He resents Janie's desire for independence, as well as her youthful beauty, and he is resented by the townspeople because he demands their obedience. Mistakenly convinced that Janie is poisoning him, he dies a frightened, solitary, and pathetic man. His death leaves Janie an independently wealthy woman.
Vergible “Tea Cake” Woods, Janie's adored third husband, who is playful, charming, and vital. Although Janie suspects that the much younger Tea Cake might be after her money, she takes a risk, marries him, and never regrets her decision. Tea Cake not only loves Janie but also, unlike Joe, encourages her growth toward independence by teaching her skills and praising her talents. During a hurricane, Tea Cake is bitten by a rabid dog while protecting Janie. When he becomes mad himself, Janie must shoot him to save her own life.
Pheoby Watson, Janie's closest friend, a loyal, intelligent, and affectionate woman. Janie tells the story of her life to Pheoby, with the understanding that Pheoby will share it with others. When Janie finishes, Pheoby says, “Ah done growed ten feet higher from jus' listenin' tuh you.”
Mrs. Turner, a prideful, thin-lipped, light-skinned black woman who worships Caucasian traits and cannot stand dark-skinned black people. She tries, but fails, to have her no-account brother win Janie away from Tea Cake.