Introduction

Zora Neale Hurston (1891-1960) was one of the very influential writers of the Harlem Renaissance during the twentieth century. Her work has influenced many other popular authors, including Ralph Ellison and Alice Walker. She wrote four novels and two books of folk tales.
Zora Neale Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God is a very important work of African American-influenced literature written during the Harlem Renaissance. It was written in 1937, but was frowned upon until recently when it was brought back to the forefront of classic literature. The story focuses on Janie Crawford and her inner journey to find love and independence, despite her hard life.


http://www.nndb.com/people/222/000084967/zora-neale-hurston.jpg
http://www.zoranealehurston.com/

Symbols in Their Eyes Were Watching God

> Janie's hair- Janie's hair symbolizes herself and her freedom, when her hair is free, she is free.


> Overalls- Overalls symbolize the working class and farming.

> Pear tree- The pear tree symbolizes Janie growing up and becoming a woman.

> Gate- The gate symbolizes Janie's new chances for love; she got her first kiss at Nanny's gate and met Joe Starks when he passed her gate.

> Horizon- The horizon symbolizes a new day and a new chance.

> Mule- "A woman is like the mule of the world." Also, Joe tries to win back Janie when he buys the mule, but goes about it the wrong way.

> Manure pile-This represents the last straw in Janie and Logan's relationship.

> Head rag- This symbolizes how Janie is tied down by Joe Starks and isn't free to be herself.

> Joe Starks' house- The shows how he has authority over the town, and is almost equivalent to a white plantation owner.

> Sun up- Like the horizon, this also represents the start of a new dday, and a new chance.

25 Random Facts

1. When I was little I had a whole crew of imaginary friends.
2. I have broken three bones and had stitches twice.
3. I didn't learn how to ride a bike until 7th grade.
4. I have been to the original Starbucks in Seattle.
5. I've never been outside of the country.
6. I once took a road trip all the way to Key West.
7. I'm half Greek and half Irish
8. I'm right handed but eat using my left hand.
9. My favorite food is waffles with strawberries and whipped cream.
10. My favorite band is the Killers.
11. I used to go rock climbing a lot.
12. I have seen every single episode of Scrubs at least once.
13. I've read all the Harry Potter books at least twice.
14. I have two older brothers.
15. My favorite movie is Elizabethtown.
16. I have lived in the same house my whole life.
17. My birthstone is turquoise.
18. My horrorscope sign is Saggitarius.
19. I've been running track since seventh grade.
20. My room is green.
21. When I was little i wanted to be a veternarian. Then I realized that I really hate blood.
22. I only like chocolate chip pancakes, not the regular kind.
23. From the time I was five until I was eleven I did ice skating.
24. I really like airplanes.
25.My favorite animal is a giraffe.

Imagery in Their Eyes Were Watching God

1. “The great rope of black hair swinging to her waist and unraveling in the wind like a plume,” Description of Janie’s hair, which is a big symbol in the novel. Page 2


2. “time makes everything old so the kissing, young darkness became a montropolous old thing while Janie talked.” Time loomed on as Janie told her story to Phoeby. Page 7

3. “She had glossy leave and bursting buds and she wanted to struggle with life but it seemed to elude her.” This compares Janie to the blooming pear tree and how it is blooming as she is growing up and becoming a woman. Page 11

4. “Mind- pictures brought feelings, and feelings dragged out dramas from the hollows of her heart.” Nanny is trying to raise Janie while remembering the past things from her life, and trying to do better this time. Page 16

5. “They sat on the boarding house porch and saw the sun plunge into the same crack in the earth from which the night emerged.” This is symbolizing the start of a new day, and Janie has a new start for happiness. Page 33

6. “The fact that the thought pictures were always crayon enlargements of life made it even nicer to listen.” Listening to stories and talking makes life seem a lot better than it is to Janie; it idealizes things. Page 51

7. “The new moon had been up and down three times before she got worried in mind.” It had been a long time before Janie started to worry that she wasn’t falling in love with Logan as she hoped she would with time. Page 22

8. “She knew the world was a stallion rolling in the blue pasture of ether.” Life is fast changing and constantly moving. Page 25

9. “The noon sun filtered through the leaves of the fine oak tree where she sat and made lacy patterns on the ground.” This is a description of the spring where Janie leaves Logan Killicks, right before she meets Joe Starks. Page 27

10. “The shirt with the silk sleeveholders was dazzling enough for the world.” Janie’s first impression of Joe Starks is very idealized, she sees him as a new opportunity, not necessarily for love, but to get away from Logan. Page 27


http://www5f.biglobe.ne.jp/~ilhb/their%20eyes%20were%20watching%20god.jpg

My Name

My parents named me Annamarie after my mother's mother, Maria, and her Aunt, Anne. There is no direct meaning for Annamarie, but Annamaria is derived from Saint Anne and Saint Mary. My parents also considered Holly as a name, since my birthday is a few days before Christmas, but that idea was vetoed by my dad (apparently is was too cliche). If I was a boy my parents were considering Matthew. I like my name, but sometimes it can be annoying because people will say Annemarie, and it's just kind of long. When I was in pre-K, one of my friends couldn't pronounce my name, so she started Annie, which is usually what I go by now. Only a couple of people I've known for a really long time call me Annamarie.