Novel Synopsis
Zora Neale Hurston’s, Their Eyes Were Watching God, tells the emotionally-gripping story of an African-American woman named Janie who lives in the early 1900s. The story starts with Janie returning to her hometown, Eatonville, Florida. She proceeds to speak with her best friend, Phoeby, and recollects the events of her life and how they have shaped her character.
Janie was raised by her grandmother, who had high hopes for her and planned on marrying her off as soon as possible. By her grandmother’s request, Janie married Logan Killicks, a local farmer. Janie had a picturesque marriage planned in her head—one that consisted of unfailing love. Her marriage to Logan Killicks seemed to be lacking in every area, especially love.
A man by the name of Joe Starks came along and seemed to be everything Janie wanted in a man. She agreed to run away with him, leaving Logan behind. Once they were married, Joe took Janie to an all-black town, where he quickly became the mayor. From then on, Janie felt like a liability to Joe as his power-hungry needs consumed him and as he prioritized the other duties of the town over her. After some time, she silenced herself and did the work that he assigned for her. Joe smothered Janie’s independence, and she paid for it.
After many years, Joe eventually died of a disease, and Janie was left independent and free. A short while later, a new man, Tea Cake, came into town and fell in love with Janie. He treated her with equality and compassion. They decided to marry and moved to Jacksonville, Florida where they lived in the Everglades picking beans. They lived a wonderful married life, full of affection and joy, just as Janie wanted.
A hurricane hit their town, forcing them to flee. In the process, Tea Cake was bitten by a rabid dog, acquiring rabies. In an outburst of disease-ridden anger that Janie might be cheating on him, he started shooting at her. In self-defense, Janie shot back, killing Tea Cake. After being found not guilty in trial, Janie returned to her hometown. In concluding her story, Janie shares, "Two things everybody's got tuh do fuh theyselves. They got tuh go tuh God, and they got tuh find out about livin' fuh theyselves" (Hurston 192). After this, Phoeby leaves and Janie is left with an unsurmountable amount of peace and closure.
Janie was raised by her grandmother, who had high hopes for her and planned on marrying her off as soon as possible. By her grandmother’s request, Janie married Logan Killicks, a local farmer. Janie had a picturesque marriage planned in her head—one that consisted of unfailing love. Her marriage to Logan Killicks seemed to be lacking in every area, especially love.
A man by the name of Joe Starks came along and seemed to be everything Janie wanted in a man. She agreed to run away with him, leaving Logan behind. Once they were married, Joe took Janie to an all-black town, where he quickly became the mayor. From then on, Janie felt like a liability to Joe as his power-hungry needs consumed him and as he prioritized the other duties of the town over her. After some time, she silenced herself and did the work that he assigned for her. Joe smothered Janie’s independence, and she paid for it.
After many years, Joe eventually died of a disease, and Janie was left independent and free. A short while later, a new man, Tea Cake, came into town and fell in love with Janie. He treated her with equality and compassion. They decided to marry and moved to Jacksonville, Florida where they lived in the Everglades picking beans. They lived a wonderful married life, full of affection and joy, just as Janie wanted.
A hurricane hit their town, forcing them to flee. In the process, Tea Cake was bitten by a rabid dog, acquiring rabies. In an outburst of disease-ridden anger that Janie might be cheating on him, he started shooting at her. In self-defense, Janie shot back, killing Tea Cake. After being found not guilty in trial, Janie returned to her hometown. In concluding her story, Janie shares, "Two things everybody's got tuh do fuh theyselves. They got tuh go tuh God, and they got tuh find out about livin' fuh theyselves" (Hurston 192). After this, Phoeby leaves and Janie is left with an unsurmountable amount of peace and closure.
- Olivia Gordon
Cast of Characters
1. Janie Crawford – The main character in the story, or also known as the protagonist. She is in search of her dream to have a happy marriage and a true love.
2. Tea Cake- Janie’s third husband and true love. He is very considerate of Janie and never forces her to be someone that she is not. He also communicates well with Janie whenever there is an issue.
3. Joe Starks- Janie’s second husband whom she calls Jody. At first Janie and Joe seemed to be in love, but as time passed Janie realized that he is very bossy and wanted things done his way. Joe does not care a lot about Janie and treats her disrespectfully until he dies.
4. Nanny- Janie’s grandmother. Nanny is worried what will happen to Janie once she is gone. She is very protective of Janie.
5. Logan Killicks – Janie’s first husband. Their marriage was forced and Janie did not love Logan at all. Therefore, Janie leaves him after a short while.
6. Pheoby Watson – Janie’s best friend. They trust each other and tell each other everything.
7. Sam Watson- Pheoby’s husband. A friend of Joe Starks. He speaks wisdom to others and is funny.
8. Mrs. Turner- She cares about the outward appearance of others, especially their race. She thinks that the white race is superior. She also wants Janie to marry her brother, but Janie says no. With that said, Mrs. Turner is not liked by Tea Cake.
9. Dr. Simmons- A white doctor who treats everyone with equality. He comes to help Tea Cake when he is very sick.
10. Nunkie- A girl who worked in the Everglades with Tea Cake and Janie. Janie thought that Tea Cake was cheating on her because he seemed to always run off with Nunkie. That was not the case; Tea Cake loved Janie much more.
11. Johnny Taylor- In the beginning of the story, Janie kisses him, making her an adult in her Nanny’s eyes.
12. Leafy Crawford- Janie’s mother. She did not care a lot about Janie as she left her soon after she was born.
13. Motor Boat- A good friend of Tea Cake and Janie. He decided to stay in a house during the hurricane while Tea Cake and Janie continued to safer grounds.
14. Hezekiah Pots- He worked in the store that Joe and Janie owned.
2. Tea Cake- Janie’s third husband and true love. He is very considerate of Janie and never forces her to be someone that she is not. He also communicates well with Janie whenever there is an issue.
3. Joe Starks- Janie’s second husband whom she calls Jody. At first Janie and Joe seemed to be in love, but as time passed Janie realized that he is very bossy and wanted things done his way. Joe does not care a lot about Janie and treats her disrespectfully until he dies.
4. Nanny- Janie’s grandmother. Nanny is worried what will happen to Janie once she is gone. She is very protective of Janie.
5. Logan Killicks – Janie’s first husband. Their marriage was forced and Janie did not love Logan at all. Therefore, Janie leaves him after a short while.
6. Pheoby Watson – Janie’s best friend. They trust each other and tell each other everything.
7. Sam Watson- Pheoby’s husband. A friend of Joe Starks. He speaks wisdom to others and is funny.
8. Mrs. Turner- She cares about the outward appearance of others, especially their race. She thinks that the white race is superior. She also wants Janie to marry her brother, but Janie says no. With that said, Mrs. Turner is not liked by Tea Cake.
9. Dr. Simmons- A white doctor who treats everyone with equality. He comes to help Tea Cake when he is very sick.
10. Nunkie- A girl who worked in the Everglades with Tea Cake and Janie. Janie thought that Tea Cake was cheating on her because he seemed to always run off with Nunkie. That was not the case; Tea Cake loved Janie much more.
11. Johnny Taylor- In the beginning of the story, Janie kisses him, making her an adult in her Nanny’s eyes.
12. Leafy Crawford- Janie’s mother. She did not care a lot about Janie as she left her soon after she was born.
13. Motor Boat- A good friend of Tea Cake and Janie. He decided to stay in a house during the hurricane while Tea Cake and Janie continued to safer grounds.
14. Hezekiah Pots- He worked in the store that Joe and Janie owned.