Essays on Their Eyes Were Watching God

Their Eyes Were Watching God
Original title Their Eyes Were Watching God
Author Zora Neale Hurston
Genre Tragedy
Language English
Characters Janie Mae Crawford, Tea Cake, Logan Killicks, Jody Starks, Joe Starks
Published September 18, 1937
ISBN 0-14-303469-8
Book Summary
Essay Examples

Table of Contents

About the Their Eyes Were Watching God

Their Eyes Were Watching God was published in 1937. Written by an American writer,  Zora Neale Hurston. Their eyes were watching God is among the classic novels of the Harlem Renaissance era. It is also known as Zora Hurston’s best work ever.

The book tells the story of Janie Crawford, an intelligent young girl who grew up to be a woman filled with passion. She grows with the hope of finding true love admits discrimination against the black race – which she is partly from.

The book is set in central Southern California in the 90s, where it pictures the influence of women in African-American literature. The novel was featured in TIME’s 100 best English language novels in the 90s. Read on for great tips, and structure on Their Eyes Were Watching God Essay.

Their Eyes Were Watching God Summary

An essay on Their Eyes While Watching God is impossible without knowing the book’s plot. Their Eyes Were Watching God is the story of Janie Crawford, a mixed-race girl. She grew up when racism was prevalent in America, and mixed-race children faced discrimination on both sides of the camp. Neither the blacks nor the whites accept mixed-race people.  Janie’s sight of a bee pollinating a flower makes her obsessed with seeking true love.

The novel’s hook is centered on Janie’s search for true love and the uncertainty of her finding one after two failed marriages. It explores Janie’s search for love as she goes through three marriages. First was Logan Killicks.

Janie proceeds to marry Joe Starks in her second marriage. Lastly, Janie and Tea Cake hook up. Tea Cake is 12 years younger than her. Despite their age difference, she finds true love and happiness. 

Their Eyes Were Watching God Quotes

“Love is lak de sea. It’s uh movin’ thing, but still and all, it takes its shape from de shore it meets, and it’s different with every shore.” – Zora Neale Hurston.

“If you kin sees de light at daybreak, you don’t keer if you die at dusk. It’s so many people never seen de light at all.” – Zora Neale Hurston

“Ships at a distance have every man’s wish on board. For some, they come in with the tide. For others, they sail forever on the same horizon, never out of sight, never landing until the Watcher turns his eyes away in resignation, his dreams mocked to death by Time.” – Zora Neale Hurston.

“Some people could look at a mud puddle and see an ocean with ships.” – Zora Neale Hurston.

“Love is like the sea. It’s a moving thing, but still and all, it takes its shape from the shore it meets, and it’s different with every shore.” – Zora Neale Hurston.

Essay Structure on Their Eyes Were Watching God

Introduction 

The argument, thesis, or viewpoint you are taking on the book, persona, or topic you are writing about should be presented in the introduction. Effective introductions, though, can accomplish more than that. Sometimes it’s possible to begin with a “hook” before addressing the current problem.

This introduction grabs the reader’s interest and entices them to keep reading. Having captured, captivated, or hooked the reader’s interest, you can now introduce your thesis statement. The thesis statement must be precise and unambiguous, eliminating any room for confusion. Subsequently, provide your reader a short synopsis of how your essay’s credible evidence will support your thesis. This informs them of what to expect and acts as a prompt into subsequent paragraphs. 

The Body Paragraphs

The key objective of the body paragraphs is to carefully and precisely explain the examples you have selected to illustrate your assertion. The most prominent aspect of your strongest argument must be in the first body paragraph. This section should contain your research about the book’s subject matter – using Janie’s grandmother’s experience with her master to emphasize on the slavery treatment in America.

Your essay should be written following the topic and the book. Importantly, provide your reader a clear explanation of the main argument, and include examples of who, what, and why you chose to utilize them. You might also focus on Joe Stark’s insecurity around Janie and why he thinks it’s best to live in a black-dominated part of the country.

Conclusion 

Even though the conclusion comes at the end of an essay, it is not a summary phase of your essay. It should then be carefully written because it is the last paragraph and is your last opportunity to make a convincing argument. Beginning with a concluding transition, let your reader know that the essay is ending. Finally, your essay should include a call to action or a concluding comment. This indicates to your audience that you have concluded this essay. 

Tips to Consider While Writing An essay About Their Eyes Were Watching God

Read the book thoroughly

You cannot write about a book you haven’t read; thus, reading it is your best option for writing an essay about Their Eyes Were Watching God. You should be able to think of several questions on various aspects of the texts as you read and after you finish the novel. This will aid in your comprehension of both the book and the essay.

You can start to wonder about the characters’ intentions, virtues, and vices. Additionally, it starts to reveal to you which of their words or deeds best reflects their ideals, ambitions, and the story’s main theme. Additionally, it aids in your comprehension of the author’s content.

Finding a captivating topic should be the next on the list, which is only made possible by properly reading the book. 

Find a compelling topic

When you carefully read the book, you will generate several questions that will be the foundation for an engaging title. Your essay topic should be well-supported by responding to the questions posed above and those in this section.

What’s the plot of the book? The issues addressed in the book. Were the issues addressed in any way? What messages about mankind, reality perception, and common human experiences did the author want to convey? The story used symbols, right? Which meanings do the symbols convey? An excellent essay topic can be generated from the answers to these questions. To find a compelling topic in this book, you might want to look into the different characters – Nanny, Janie and Tea Cake. These characters have determination and passion in common.

Write the thesis statement

Make a strong, focused thesis statement. Consider all the possible arguments you will use to support your thesis statement. Find appropriate instances in the book that help clarify your claims and strengthen them. Select a memorable reference from the book that supports your chosen viewpoint. Your point of view might go beyond the search for the true love theme of the book. You can as well dive into feminism and racial insecurity of the 90’s America.

Create the outline

Making an outline and organizing your thoughts comes next. Consider the essay’s structure as you draft an outline. This will act as the building block from which all of your content will be built.

The introductory, body, and conclusion paragraphs should make up the three primary sections of your outline. All of these have already been explained several paragraphs above.

A question, anecdote, or memorable quotation might be a hook in the opening to catch the readers’ interest. Include some background information on the book’s author. The body paragraphs must provide all pertinent and necessary justifications for your position. Your paragraphs need to make clear points. The conclusion must tie up all of your points and leave a lasting effect on your audience. Ensure that your argument and its supporting details are relevant

Include a lesson or moral

The theme of the story is always fundamental to the moral or lesson of the tale. The theme of your essay, the component it conveys, the belief, the argument, the viewpoint, and the key idea will all play a role in your essay’s lesson. It is the main idea that you want readers to retain after you analyze your story. Decide on your thesis statement and your position, and you will have no trouble coming up with a lesson or moral for your essay. 

Conclusion: Proofread your work

Finally, students working on any essay should revise, edit, review, modify their ideas, and reorganize their sentences or ideas to make them as best as they can be. Improve the clarity and the style and correct any spelling or grammar mistakes. If you lack the motivation to create one, our authors are available to provide you with a flawless essay while you enjoy reading Their Eyes Were Watching God.

 FAQs

What is the main Message in Their Eyes Were Watching God?

The message in Their Eyes Were Watching God is that love can be found in the strangest place. Janie’s search for love is relentless after two failed marriages. She goes on to marry Tea Cake, a man who is twelve years younger than her.

What is a good Thesis Statement for Their Eyes Were Watching God?

A good thesis statement is a stereotype women face in marriages, especially mixed-race women. However, she faces rejection from the black people who don’t consider her black enough and the white people who see her as black.

What is the Conclusion of Their Eyes Were Watching God?

The story ends with the death of Tea Cake, Janie’s young lover. Her quest for love was cut short after the death of her love. However, she is fulfilled as she finally acknowledges that she found love with Tea Cake because he treats her better.

What Lesson Does Their Eyes Were Watching God Teach?

Their Eyes Were Watching God is the story of Janie. A mixed-race woman who struggles to find true love. Their Eyes were Watching God is more than just a love story; it encompasses the struggles of the blacks in the white-dominated 90s.

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