Their Eyes Were Watching God

Outline

THESIS: There are different issues of speech that are faced and tackled within the
book, ​Their Eyes Were Watching God​, while discussing in depth the role of silence and
how it is changed within the book

1. Introduction:
The novel​ ​is a unique literary work of art, reflecting on the life of African American
women, the hardships they face and their strife to make their voices heard.

2. Discussion:
a) Role of Silence
It emphasizes the role women and their stature in society as voiceless creatures,
symbolic to the mule.
(Insert Supporting Evidence- Include at least 3 examples from the text)
BE SURE TO INCLUDE FACTS TO REFUTE THE COUNTERARGUMENT

3. Conclusion:
Women have found their voice and are liberated and empowered, to contribute to
society.
Your Name

Ms. Edwards

AP 11 Language and Composition

Date

Their Eyes Were Watching God

Their Eyes Were Watching God,​ is a book considered very unique, due to its language use as well as

mastery of dialect. It is also considered to be among the most influential literary works ever to be written on

African Americans and their society as a whole. This is because the author, Hurston has put to use a narrative

structure that is quite interesting, therefore dividing the story between idiomatic discourse and literary narration

(Hurston 3). The passages of discourse are quite lengthy and are used to bring forth the voices that are used

within Janie’s world. The manner, in which the characters speak, in this case Janie, usually acts as a reflection

of their personalities and individualism. Hurston’s use of language is aimed towards helping Janie find her own

voice.

Although the novel does present different themes, silence and voice are considered to be among the

themes that are widely studied. It delves into Janie’s journey of silence and her unquenchable thirst to achieve

her own voice. ​In Their Eyes Were Watching God​, she finds the strength to make this certain, despite the fact

that she is an African American woman, who stands disadvantaged within her society. There are different issues

of speech that are faced and tackled within the book, ​Their Eyes Were Watching God​, while discussing in depth

the role of silence and how it is changed within the book.

Janie is considered to be among the leading characters in Hurston’s, ​Their​ ​Eyes Were Watching God​.

She acts as the driving force behind the thematic commentary and narrative as a whole. Several literary critics

have made comments, on the use of voice within the novel, ​Their Eyes Were Watching God​. I have

concentrated much of their research on the setting, theme, symbolism, characterization, form and style of
Hurston’s work, in order to illustrate and support the different arguments that I have came up with. The first

argument on the theme of silence, which is found within the book, ​Their Eyes Were Watching God, ​Janie’s

voice is considered the main component. My view is supported by an article from a critic known as, ‘From

Mules to Muliebrity’. She also argues that the main theme can be said to “examine the effects and the

empowerment that arises from breaking free from that silence.”

The author is very much interested with the character’s personal growth that stems, from the voicing her

emotions and ideas. Hurston makes us believe that it is Janie’s acquisition of voice, which facilitates her

personal growth and freedom as an African American woman. Hurston also relates to Janie to a mule. This is

used as symbolism, and it refers to the discrepancy that is present between silence and speech. The author uses a

number of images representing the mule as an illustration of Janie’s acquisition of voice, which in turn leads to

the acquisition of her identity as a woman. The term Muliebrity is used as an illustration of Janie’s achievement

in her quest for her identity. It enhances her characterization of a woman within the novel. Muliebrity according

to the dictionary can be defined ‘as the condition a person has of being a woman’.

Hurston, puts into use the dichotomy that is present between the mule and Janie, in such a way that it

brings to light, both her identity and her voice. It also stands symbolic of the slavery symbol. The first

appearance of the mule within the novel is used to show Janie and her silencing ability. It talks of the coming

together of the community after a hard day of work. During work hours, this same community hardly has any

time for communicating, as their focus is solely placed on serving their masters. This kind of work condition is

what has led to the silencing of the community. The mules in this case refer to their masters, who signify the

oppressive voice that is present within the novel.

Another instance where silence is clearly seen in the book, takes place when Janie begins her first steps

towards attaining her womanhood. Janie’s nanny sees her kiss a man, Johnny Taylor and gives her some advice

with reference to her burgeoning sexuality. The advice that she receives from her grandmother, give a good

reflection of the plight that black women face within the society. In this scenario, Janie’s silence is brought on

by her grandmother’s advice. This is because it is aimed at limiting the diverse possibilities that Janie’s has,
when it comes to her sexuality and womanhood, and what this might all mean. The advice that nanny gives, its

intertwining with mules and silencing of the women, raise some questions such as whether a woman from the

African American race will ever have the voice to speak about her emotions and diverse ideas that she may

have.

The mule is also seen much later within the novel, when Logan decides to purchase one for Janie so that

she can use it when plowing the fields. This acts a symbol, as Janie is considered to be transforming into one of

the mules. This is seen when she becomes even more silent. It is after a while that she meets Jody, who

convinces her that there is more to her life than living within the confines and holding on to her role as a mule.

It is from their conversation, that Janie is enlightened on how foolish it is for them to be silenced. As the story

commences we see that Jody asking Janie if she would run away with him (Hurston 98) This in some way is

asking her to stand up for herself and voice her own mind and choices. Haurykiewicz mentions that it is this act,

that Jody takes to help Janie be free, that eventually starts her on the path towards acquiring her persona voice.

The voice she is in search for is also symbolic of her autonomy as a woman.
 Works Cited

Hurston, Zora N. ​Their Eyes Were Watching God: A Novel​. New York: Perennial Library, 1990. Print.