Their Eyes Were Watching God

In "Their Eyes Were Watching God," the "saws" are stories, rumors, or bits of information that circulate within the community. They often reflect gossip or the opinions held by the townspeople. The saws provide insights into the characters and social dynamics of the community in the novel.

In "Their Eyes Were Watching God" by Zora Neale Hurston, Janie wears a dark blue dress that Tea Cake likes on her.

The main conflict in this novel is Janie's struggle to form her identity but finds it hard because she is constantly being molded to someone the authoritative people in her life demand out of her thereby giving up her desires and aspirations in order to confirm to other people's notion of how they think she ought to be. This is especially evident when Jody silences her in front of the towns people. Later on though she gains the courage to defense herself and talk back to the cruel teasing Jody finally owning up to true self identity.

Janie and Jody's relationship in Zora Neale Hurston's novel "Their Eyes Were Watching God" is complex. While Janie is initially enamored with Jody and his charisma, their marriage becomes strained due to Jody's controlling and patriarchal behavior. Janie eventually realizes that Jody's expectations and treatment of her as a trophy wife do not align with her desire for mutual respect and partnership.

Janie implies that her mother was raped by a schoolteacher.

Giovanni Pico della Mirandola believed in the potential of human beings to elevate themselves to a divine level through knowledge and self-improvement. He saw the relationship between God and humanity as one of possibility and aspiration, where humans could strive for a deeper connection with the divine through intellectual and spiritual pursuits. Mirandola's ideas challenged traditional views of a fixed hierarchy between God and humanity, emphasizing the capacity for human agency and initiative in shaping their relationship with the divine.

Janie marries Logan hoping to find love because she is eager to experience passion and connection in her marriage, which she believes will lead to love. However, she quickly realizes that her relationship with Logan lacks the emotional depth and mutual respect needed for true love to flourish. This realization prompts Janie to seek a more fulfilling and authentic connection with someone she truly loves.

The metaphor of men's dreams being "like a stagnant swamp" in the first paragraph of Their Eyes Were Watching God suggests that their aspirations may be unfulfilled, obscured by stagnation and lack of progress. This image conveys the idea that men's dreams may be weighed down by inaction, symbolic of the potential for unachieved or stagnant ambition.

Mrs. Turner wants Janie to meet her brother because she admires Janie's mixed race appearance and believes her brother would also find her attractive. She hopes that by introducing them, her brother and Janie could form a romantic relationship.

In "Their Eyes Were Watching God," Janie ultimately forgives Nanny for forcing her into a loveless marriage with Logan Killicks. Janie's understanding of Nanny's actions is rooted in the context of her grandmother's own struggles and sacrifices, as Nanny sought to ensure Janie's financial security and stability in a world that often marginalized women. This forgiveness reflects Janie's growth and her recognition of the complexities of love and survival across generations.

In "Their Eyes Were Watching God," Mrs. Turner is characterized by her distinct appearance, which reflects her desire to align with a certain social status. She is described as having a light complexion and straight hair, which she takes pride in, contrasting with the other characters who embrace their African heritage. Her physical traits symbolize her internalized beliefs about race and beauty, showcasing her attempts to elevate herself above others in her community. This contrast highlights the themes of identity and social hierarchy within the novel.