Their Eyes Were Watching God [Review]

Their Eyes Were Watching God, the literary masterpiece written by Zora Neale Hurston, is a timeless classic that has captivated readers since its publication in 1937. This beautiful novel of an African-American woman’s personal journey through life and love is filled with lyrical prose, stunning imagery, and thought-provoking messages. The story follows Janie Crawford as she searches for her own identity and discovers the power within herself to overcome obstacles, find joy in adversity, and ultimately live her best life. With its engaging characters and powerful messages about strength and resilience, Their Eyes Were Watching God is an essential read for anyone looking to explore themes of identity, love, and self-determination.

This edition of Their Eyes Were Watching God comes with helpful annotations that provide additional context to the text, making it easier for readers to understand what they are reading. Along with this valuable resource, readers will also find a discussion guide which allows them to explore the novel further by considering questions related to major themes such as race, gender roles, and freedom.

For those who are looking for an inspiring story filled with meaningful lessons about finding one’s identity and living their truth, Their Eyes Were Watching God is a must-read. In this article we will be discussing some of the highlights of this incredible book and why it should be on everyone’s reading list!

Table of Contents

Their Eyes Were Watching God Review

Their Eyes Were Watching God, the beloved novel by Nobel Prize-winning author Zora Neale Hurston, is a timeless classic that has captivated readers for generations. This vibrant and poetic story follows Janie Crawford as she navigates her own journey of self-discovery, love, and loss. Through her explorations of race, gender, and class in early 20th century America, Janie Crawford’s story is both enlightening and inspiring.

Key Features:
1. A powerful coming-of-age narrative that explores issues of race, gender, and class
2. A timeless story that continues to remain relevant today
3. Pulitzer Prize finalist and Nobel Prize-winning author Zora Neale Hurston
4. Captivating characters that bring the story to life
5. Richly detailed prose that paints a vivid picture of early 20th century life

Their Eyes Were Watching God is an unforgettable journey through early 20th century America with one of literature’s most captivating characters at its helm. The novel offers an insightful exploration of race, gender and class while also showcasing the incredible talent of Nobel Prize-winning author Zora Neale Hurston. As Janie Crawford embarks upon her quest for true love, readers are taken on an emotional rollercoaster ride full of joyous moments and devastating losses. With its lush prose and unforgettable characters, Their Eyes Were Watching God is an essential read for any fan of classic literature.

Product Details

Title	Their Eyes Were Watching God
Author	Zora Neale Hurston
Genre	Novel, Romance
Number of Pages	256 pages
ISBN-13 Number	9780060838676
Publisher	Harper Perennial Modern Classics (April 6, 2006)
Format Available	Paperback, Hardcover, Kindle Edition, Audio CD, Audible Audiobook, Mass Market Paperback.

Their Eyes Were Watching God Pros and Cons

1. Pros

Classic American Literature: Their Eyes Were Watching God is a classic piece of American Literature that has enchanted readers for generations. It tells the story of Janie Crawford, a woman who struggles to find her voice and place in the world.

Powerful Writing: Zora Neale Hurston’s prose is lyrical and poetic, painting vivid pictures with her words while also conveying deep emotion.

Inspiring Story: The story of Janie’s journey is inspiring and uplifting, full of moments of strength and resilience.

2. Cons

Potentially Offensive Language: The novel contains language and descriptions which some readers may find offensive or outdated.

Requires Time & Concentration: This is not a quick read; it requires time and concentration to appreciate its complexity and nuances.

Not Always Understandable: Parts of the novel are written in dialect, which can be difficult to understand for some readers.

Who are They for

Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston is a timeless classic that will stay with readers long after they are done reading. This coming-of-age story follows the journey of Janie Crawford, an African American woman living in rural Florida during the 1920s. Through her experiences and interactions with other characters, Janie comes to understand the importance of self-discovery and self-awareness. Hurston’s lyrical prose brings the world of Eatonville to life, creating vivid imagery and evoking powerful emotions in readers. The novel also tackles complex themes such as racism, sexism, and classism, making it a must-read for anyone interested in exploring these topics. With its unforgettable characters, beautiful language, and captivating plot, Their Eyes Were Watching God is an inspiring and thought-provoking work of literature that will remain relevant for years to come.

My Experience for Their Eyes Were Watching God

I remember the first time I read Their Eyes Were Watching God. It was like a breath of fresh air during this crazy pandemic. I was mesmerized by Zora Neale Hurston’s beautiful prose, and captivated by Janie’s journey of self-discovery. The book is an exploration of identity, womanhood, and race, as well as a powerful love story that will make you laugh and cry in equal measure.

Reading Their Eyes Were Watching God felt like a journey in itself. Every chapter brought me to new places and opened my eyes to people and perspectives I had never encountered before. Janie’s story is filled with heartache and hardship, but also moments of joy and beauty. She defies expectations and shows us that our destiny is ours to write.

It’s been over a year since I finished reading Their Eyes Were Watching God, but the characters and the themes of the novel are still with me. Hurston’s writing is timeless; it speaks to readers now just as much as it did when it was first published in 1937. If you haven’t read it yet, I highly recommend it!

What I don’t Like

1. Some readers may find the language difficult to understand.
2. The book has been criticized for its depiction of gender roles and racial stereotypes.
3. The novel is written in a Southern dialect which some readers may find distracting.
4. The story can be hard to follow due to its lack of chronological order.
5. The themes and symbolism in the novel may not appeal to all readers.

How to Break Free From Social Expectations with Their Eyes Were Watching God

For anyone seeking to break free from societal expectations and liberating themselves from oppressive social norms, Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston is a must-read. This timeless novel tells the story of Janie Crawford, a woman who embarks on a journey of self-discovery as she struggles against restrictive gender roles and searches for true love.

Rather than allowing society to dictate her future, Janie chooses to take control of her life and pursue her own path. Through her experiences, readers can learn how to liberate themselves from the oppressive restraints that society often places upon them. Here are some key lessons that you can take away from Their Eyes Were Watching God:

Stay true to yourself: Throughout the novel, Janie chooses to stay true to herself despite the obstacles she faces along the way. She refuses to conform to society’s expectations of her and remains steadfast in her convictions. By staying true to your values and beliefs, you too can embolden yourself against social pressures.

Take risks: Janie is not afraid of taking risks throughout her journey and learns valuable lessons through the process. Taking risks is often necessary in order to achieve what you want in life; however, it is important to do so with caution.

Follow your heart: In the end, Janie realizes that following her heart is more important than following society’s expectations. This allows her to find true love and fulfillment in life. Similarly, it is important for you to listen to your heart and follow your intuition rather than succumbing to external pressures.

By reading Their Eyes Were Watching God, readers can gain insight into how they too can liberate themselves from oppressive social conventions and lead a life of freedom and self-fulfillment.

Questions about Their Eyes Were Watching God

What Is Their Eyes Were Watching God?

Their Eyes Were Watching God is a 1937 novel by African-American author Zora Neale Hurston. It is a classic of the Harlem Renaissance and one of the most widely read novels by an African-American writer. The novel follows protagonist Janie Mae Crawford through her life experiences as she searches for true love and her own identity.

Who Should Read Their Eyes Were Watching God?

Anyone interested in African American literature, women’s fiction, or the search for identity and true love should consider reading Their Eyes Were Watching God. The novel has been praised by critics and readers alike since its initial publication in 1937 and continues to be studied in classrooms today.

What Are Some Major Themes Of Their Eyes Were Watching God?

The major themes of Their Eyes Were Watching God include the search for identity, gender roles, racial divisions, and the power of language. Hurston’s use of dialects and language paints a vivid picture of rural Florida in the early 20th century. In addition, Janie’s journey throughout the novel speaks to broader questions about what it means to be an independent woman living in a patriarchal society.

Lloyd Kaufman

Hi, my name is Lloyd and I'm a book enthusiast. I love to read all kinds of books, from classic literature to modern fantasy, as well as non-fiction works. I also enjoy writing reviews and giving my opinion on the books that I have read.