DQ #1- TEWWG

From the initial view of the title, Their Eyes Were Watching God, the novel by Zora Neal Hurston, the reader may have expected a spiritually based novel and felt that they received the opposite of their expectations. While on the same token, many have suggested that the text does have a spiritual connection at it's core.

As you consider this thought, express whether you believe this to be true, from your interpretation of the novel. Consider the intellectual and conceptual understanding of God and religion in our society; in other words do not base your answer solely on your own spiritual understanding (be open minded).

As you compose this answer and respond to the answers provided by your classmates, discuss the following questions within your answer:

1. What kind of God are the eyes of Hurston’s characters, especially Janie Crawford (Starks), watching?

2. What crucial moments of the plot does the title allude to?

3. Does this God ever answer Janie’s questioning?

* REMEMBER: All responses should be written in complete sentences. Initial responses are expected to be well thought out and well written (considering minimal spelling errors and diction or syntactical errors. As you respond to your classmates, please write in complete sentences and be clear in your explanation.

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Permalink Reply by Shelby Morris on September 11, 2012 at 4:19pm

I do believe that there is a spiritual connection within the book. The God that is mentioned in the book is, I belive to be, some type of powerful force or being. Janie 'watches' this God for help and understanding in her life. She looks to him through-out the whole book for guidance in situations she feels helpless in. One of the most crucial moments in the plot is when Tea Cake dies. She turns to God to help her heal from the internal wounds his death caused her. God helps Janie understand why everything, bad and good, that went on in her life has happened. He shows her the light when she is in the dark.

Permalink Reply by iesha broadway on September 11, 2012 at 6:02pm

# Q1 Perhaps the God is the God of Nature Whose dominion is expansive and without
human boundaries. Janie searches for more meaning in her life, more
fulfillment, places beyond boundaries . Janie found peace while watching god.Although i do not believe that the god they are speaking of is the one we worship , i think its life and the things janie excpects or wants .

Permalink Reply by iesha broadway on September 11, 2012 at 6:09pm

I believe the crucial moment is when Janie and teacake are near deaf in the hurrican and they are floating on a board while there eyes were watching god .Q2

Permalink Reply by iesha broadway on September 11, 2012 at 6:21pm

Yes in believing that this god is nature and the things that janie wants for her life . Because throughout the story Janie has never given up , and always thought there was more out there for herself , through Janies life she has overcame obstacles in her life by believing in this god , and by doing so she is now happy and free . Q3

Permalink Reply by Ana Diaz on September 11, 2012 at 7:49pm

I think that God is descibed as powerfull and guides Janie throughout her journey in search of her happiness. Janie went through many challenges in her life but with the help of God she was able to overcome them. In my opinion one of the most crucial moments was when Janie mt Tea Cake. He changed her life and she was able to find true love and happiness with him. God does answer Janie's quetions by guiding her the right way to find the happiness she was looking for throughout the novel.

Permalink Reply by Maria Avila on September 12, 2012 at 5:16pm

I agree with Ana because for Janie to achieve her happiness she had to go through many obsticles and challenges throughout her life.

Permalink Reply by crystal flores on September 11, 2012 at 7:53pm

In my opinion, i believe that Janie is watching God and the obstacles he puts in her path. For example when Tea Cake and Janie were taking shelter in their home because of the hurricane, it says that their eyes were watching God. In my opinion i think they are watching what God is doing to them.

Permalink Reply by Jzisnsu dndowmb on September 11, 2012 at 11:01pm

I agree with Crystal, God was with her the whole time. He put obstacles in her life to make her the women she is now. All the obstacles He put her through, he was there to guide her. It just made her the strong, independent woman she was throughout her life.

Permalink Reply by Clinton King on September 11, 2012 at 9:06pm

I believe the God they are referring to is the Lord Almighty and that Janie is following him throughout the novel. Between her relationships with her different husbands, she is always contemplating her decisions and then seeking out God to get the answers. Also, God is always watching out for Janie and keeping her safe. An example of this is when God gives Janie the wisdom to prepare for if Tea Cake tries to hurt her. I believe that Janie's life would have been so much different- for the worse- if she had never sought after God.

Permalink Reply by jamarcus jamal eafon on September 11, 2012 at 9:40pm

I think in the story when the hurricane hit janie found god through the darkest.

Permalink Reply by Hayden Burkham on September 12, 2012 at 3:23pm

i agree with you about how janie finds god through the darkest times.

Permalink Reply by Dalia Espinoza on September 11, 2012 at 10:52pm

The kind of God that is described in the story isn't really the type of God that you would pray to like you normally do in church. God throughout the story is guiding Janie the whole time and he is testing her by putting obsticles in her life that will help her find out how she is and who she really wants to be. In the story when Janie and Tea Cake were in the hurricane, they both seeked for God so he woud help them out. In the end God does anwer Janie's question which is helping her find happines and being able to see the world and experience new things in life.