Chapter 20 Their Eyes Were Watching God

Alright, Folks, Gather 'Round. I've Got a Tale to Spin About a Little Book Called 'Their Eyes Were Watching God'

Now, I know what you're thinking, "Oh great, another stuffy literary analysis." But hold your horses, because I promise, this ain't your grandma's book club. We're gonna dive into Zora Neale Hurston's masterpiece like it's a giant bowl of ice cream on a hot summer's day. So, grab your spoons, 'cause we're about to get messy.

First Things First: Who's This Zora Gal, Anyway?

Zora Neale Hurston was an African American writer who was as sassy as she was smart. She was born in the late 1800s, grew up in the Jim Crow South, and then went on to become one of the most influential writers of the Harlem Renaissance. She was like the Beyoncé of her time, but with even more fabulous hats. And yes, I just compared a legendary writer to Queen Bey. Deal with it.

Now, you might be wondering, "Why should I care about this old book?" Well, let me drop a little fun fact on you. 'Their Eyes Were Watching God' was actually banned in some schools when it first came out. Can you believe that? Banned! I mean, it's not like it's got any naughty bits or anything. It's just a story about a woman finding her voice. But I guess some folks back then were scared of a strong, independent black woman. Silly them.

So, What's This Book About, Anyway?

'Their Eyes Were Watching God' is the story of Janie Crawford, a woman who's been married three times. Now, I know what you're thinking, "Three husbands? She must be some kind of gold-digger!" But hold up, because Janie's not after their money or their fancy hats (though, let's be real, who wouldn't want a fancy hat?). No, Janie's on a journey to find her own voice and live her life on her own terms.

Janie's first husband, Logan Killicks, is this old guy who's more interested in his farm than in Janie. I mean, the man's so boring, he makes watching paint dry sound like a thrilling adventure. Janie's second husband, Jody Starks, is a bit of a hothead who likes to show off. He's like that one friend who always has to one-up everyone at the party. And Janie's third husband, Tea Cake, well, he's a whole different story. He's young, he's wild, and he makes Janie feel alive. But I'm getting ahead of myself. Let's not spoil all the fun, now.

Why Should You Care About Janie's Love Life?

Alright, so maybe you're not super interested in Janie's romantic escapades. But stick with me here, because this book is about so much more than just love. It's about finding your voice, standing up for yourself, and living life on your own terms. It's about breaking free from the expectations that society puts on us and forging our own path. And who among us hasn't wanted to tell off some nosy neighbor or stuffy relative who thinks they know what's best for us?

Their Eyes Were Watching God Summary, Characters And Themes - Selected

Plus, Hurston's writing is just plain beautiful. She's got this way of describing things that makes you feel like you're right there in the story. Like when she talks about the sun coming up over the horizon, it's not just a sunrise, it's "a new world with no mistakes in it." I mean, come on. That's poetry right there.

But What About the Critics? What Did They Say?

Well, when 'Their Eyes Were Watching God' first came out, some critics were less than impressed. They thought it was too folksy, too simple. They said it wasn't "literature" because it didn't sound like all those stuffy old books they'd been reading. But here's the thing: Hurston wasn't writing for them. She was writing for us. For you and me. For everyone who's ever felt like they don't fit in, like they're not good enough, like they're not heard.

And you know what? Time has proven those critics wrong. 'Their Eyes Were Watching God' is now considered one of the greatest works of American literature. It's been read by millions of people all over the world. And it's still being talked about, still being celebrated, still being loved. So, who's laughing now, huh?

Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston | Chapter 20 - YouTube

So, Should You Read It?

Heck yeah, you should read it! But don't just read it. Feel it. Live it. Let Janie's story become a part of your own. Because this book isn't just about Janie. It's about all of us. It's about the journey we're all on, the search for our own voice, our own truth, our own happiness.

And who knows? Maybe after you read it, you'll feel inspired to stand up for yourself. To tell off that nosy neighbor. To live your life the way you want to live it. And if that happens, well, Zora Neale Hurston will be up there in heaven, doing a little happy dance, just for you.

So, what are you waiting for? Go grab a copy of 'Their Eyes Were Watching God.' And remember, as Janie would say, "Two things everybody's got to do: find out more about what we want and see about changin' it." Now, go on, get.