zora neale hurston and their eyes were watching god

Finally, Janie speaks up for herself and Jody violently beats her in front of everyone in the store. Jody eventually becomes ill and his treatment of Janie worsens along with his deteriorating health. Janie feels love for Jody at the very early stages of their relationship, but ultimately comes to feel stifled by his desire for control and power – especially because he regards Janie as nothing more than an accessory to all of his success. In Eatonville, Jody seeks political power and entrepreneurial control over the town, becoming both the mayor and the owner of the main store in town. Janie complies, they marry, and head off together to Eatonville, Florida. Thankfully, one day Janie meets the handsome and ambitious Jody Starks, who courts her and eventually encourages her to run away from Logan. Unfortunately, her hopes are instead met by abuse by Logan, whom she feels treats her as an animal. Janie is not content with her marriage to Logan Killicks, but hopefully wishes that she will grow to love Logan. Nanny wishes for Janie to find improved social standing and financial security in life, and so when she sees Janie kissing a boy she quickly arranges for Janie to marry the wealthy farmer Logan Killicks. Washburn, a friendly white couple whom Nanny began working for after she was granted freedom. Before buying a new home for herself and her granddaughter, Nanny raises Janie in the backyard home of Mr. Janie spends her childhood being brought up by her grandmother Nanny, a former slave who, despite her controlling nature, has only the best intentions for her granddaughter.

Janie tells Pheoby her life story, including what happened in the time since she initially left Eatonville, which is the story of the rest of the novel. Amidst their gossiping, Janie's friend Pheoby Watson stands up for Janie and goes to greet her friend. She is met by the judgmental gossiping of Eatonville's townspeople, whose conversations focus on the fact that Janie had left town with a young man named Tea Cake. The novel begins when Janie returns to Eatonville, Florida after having left for a significant amount of time. Their Eyes Were Watching God focuses on the experiences of Janie Crawford, a beautiful and determined fair-skinned black woman living in the American South.

Zora neale hurston and their eyes were watching god