Interpretive Context
In the novel written by Zora Hurston, Their Eyes Were Watching God, the
primary worldview is the Christian worldview. This book has multiple worldviews
written among its pages but its main one is the Christian worldview. Hurston shows
us this with the title, Their Eyes Were Watching God. The title has God in it, God is
the base of Christianity. The author also attempts to explain the relationship
between man and God for the entire story.
Janie was the main character in this novel and we could see she struggled
through life trying to find her place. Janie didn’t know who she was. Her
grandmother married her off at a young age to a white man in order to give her a
good life. But, Janie was never satisfied, she went from man to man trying to find
herself the entire time. I think in the end of the novel she realized she was a free
spirit who just wanted to experience real love. Janie knew from a young age that she
was made by Jesus Christ. She knew she came from heaven because that’s how her
grandmother had raised her. Janie knew where she came from but she had no idea
where she was going. Throughout the story we see her move around a lot and marry
three different men. Her husbands were different colors and had completely
opposite personalities. Janie didn’t think about where she was going, she simply
followed her heart.
In the novel Their Eyes Were Watching God Janie looks at what is true and
what is false. She sees her love with Tea Cake is true and her other two marriages
were false. Janie sees God is true but she doesn’t understand why he took Tea Cake
away from her. She see’s people treat her kindly until she shoots Tea Cake to protect
herself and then they all judge her. Janie learns people you think are true friends can
actually be the ones to turn their backs on you the quickest. We see Janie learn
throughout the book how to conduct her life and act. Janie always acts respectable,
and she always does her best. We see Janie grow up, from someone who would
change to make others happy into someone independent and strong. By the end of
the book Janie is a strong woman, she has confidence and know who she is. The last
thing we learn about Janie is if she believes in God and what she thinks about him.
Hurston shows us Janie had heard about God her whole life and she knows who he
is. She believes in God completely, she just becomes confused when Tea Cake is
taken away from her. Janie starts to question God about why he let this happen, but
she still believes in him. It seems like Janie believes in God completely no matter
what she goes through, so he is very important t her.
I agree with Janie’s worldview, I have Christian worldview too. I am
constantly trying to figure out the relationship between God and myself. I am not
quite sure who I am yet, I know I like making people happy but I am still finding
myself. I do however know where I came from. I know God created me and put me
here to accomplish the plans and goals he has set for me. I know God has amazing
plans for my life, I am just unsure of what they are. I am not sure what the plans are
for my future but I know I am going to college. I want to go to college, graduate, and
get a great job but I don’t know what the future holds.
I am still uncertain about many things but I am positive some things in life
are black and white, true and false. I know God is true and that his son died for me to
save me from my sins. I am positive no matter what I do God will still love me and
accept me. I know people will always let you down if you hold too high of standards
and rely on them too much. I am sure it’s true that no matter how many bad
decisions I make my family will be there for me. I have realized I want to act
righteously and trust in the Lord completely. I need to act respectful and treat
others with kindness. I have made up my mind that I want to help others in any way
possible. Lastly, I know God exist. He means everything to me! He has helped me
through the toughest parts of life and He has never made me feel unworthy. I know
no matter what I do if I ask for forgiveness and it’s sincere He will forgive me.
This book has helped me in many ways by comparing it to my own life. Janie
made me see that no matter how bad things get I should have a positive attitude!
Janie never complained about her circumstances, she simply adjusted to her
lifestyle. This made me realize I shouldn’t complain! Janie was forced to marry
young, beaten, and treated unfairly by her husbands, but she never grumbled about
it. This book really made a contribution to my life. It showed me to be a strong
woman and go after what I want! Also, I learned no matter how scary and uncertain
the future is to trust in God. The novel Their Eyes Were Watching God was really
influential to my life. It opened my eyes to see how I can be so much more if I rely
on Christ and try to follow the plans he has made for me.
primary worldview is the Christian worldview. This book has multiple worldviews
written among its pages but its main one is the Christian worldview. Hurston shows
us this with the title, Their Eyes Were Watching God. The title has God in it, God is
the base of Christianity. The author also attempts to explain the relationship
between man and God for the entire story.
Janie was the main character in this novel and we could see she struggled
through life trying to find her place. Janie didn’t know who she was. Her
grandmother married her off at a young age to a white man in order to give her a
good life. But, Janie was never satisfied, she went from man to man trying to find
herself the entire time. I think in the end of the novel she realized she was a free
spirit who just wanted to experience real love. Janie knew from a young age that she
was made by Jesus Christ. She knew she came from heaven because that’s how her
grandmother had raised her. Janie knew where she came from but she had no idea
where she was going. Throughout the story we see her move around a lot and marry
three different men. Her husbands were different colors and had completely
opposite personalities. Janie didn’t think about where she was going, she simply
followed her heart.
In the novel Their Eyes Were Watching God Janie looks at what is true and
what is false. She sees her love with Tea Cake is true and her other two marriages
were false. Janie sees God is true but she doesn’t understand why he took Tea Cake
away from her. She see’s people treat her kindly until she shoots Tea Cake to protect
herself and then they all judge her. Janie learns people you think are true friends can
actually be the ones to turn their backs on you the quickest. We see Janie learn
throughout the book how to conduct her life and act. Janie always acts respectable,
and she always does her best. We see Janie grow up, from someone who would
change to make others happy into someone independent and strong. By the end of
the book Janie is a strong woman, she has confidence and know who she is. The last
thing we learn about Janie is if she believes in God and what she thinks about him.
Hurston shows us Janie had heard about God her whole life and she knows who he
is. She believes in God completely, she just becomes confused when Tea Cake is
taken away from her. Janie starts to question God about why he let this happen, but
she still believes in him. It seems like Janie believes in God completely no matter
what she goes through, so he is very important t her.
I agree with Janie’s worldview, I have Christian worldview too. I am
constantly trying to figure out the relationship between God and myself. I am not
quite sure who I am yet, I know I like making people happy but I am still finding
myself. I do however know where I came from. I know God created me and put me
here to accomplish the plans and goals he has set for me. I know God has amazing
plans for my life, I am just unsure of what they are. I am not sure what the plans are
for my future but I know I am going to college. I want to go to college, graduate, and
get a great job but I don’t know what the future holds.
I am still uncertain about many things but I am positive some things in life
are black and white, true and false. I know God is true and that his son died for me to
save me from my sins. I am positive no matter what I do God will still love me and
accept me. I know people will always let you down if you hold too high of standards
and rely on them too much. I am sure it’s true that no matter how many bad
decisions I make my family will be there for me. I have realized I want to act
righteously and trust in the Lord completely. I need to act respectful and treat
others with kindness. I have made up my mind that I want to help others in any way
possible. Lastly, I know God exist. He means everything to me! He has helped me
through the toughest parts of life and He has never made me feel unworthy. I know
no matter what I do if I ask for forgiveness and it’s sincere He will forgive me.
This book has helped me in many ways by comparing it to my own life. Janie
made me see that no matter how bad things get I should have a positive attitude!
Janie never complained about her circumstances, she simply adjusted to her
lifestyle. This made me realize I shouldn’t complain! Janie was forced to marry
young, beaten, and treated unfairly by her husbands, but she never grumbled about
it. This book really made a contribution to my life. It showed me to be a strong
woman and go after what I want! Also, I learned no matter how scary and uncertain
the future is to trust in God. The novel Their Eyes Were Watching God was really
influential to my life. It opened my eyes to see how I can be so much more if I rely
on Christ and try to follow the plans he has made for me.