Novel challenges reader’s viewpoint

BY ALEXA DUMAS Web Editor

“There are years that ask questions and years that answer.”

Out of the blue, Janie Crawford made an unexpected return to Eatonville, Florida. Janie was seen as a respected person within the town, as her second husband was the mayor, but when she moved away to follow her younger third husband, the people of Eatonville thought she’d never return.

“Their Eyes Were Watching God” depicts a woman’s journey of self-discovery as she navigates her feelings of love and desire.

The novel starts with Janie’s return, which leads her to Janie’s close friend Pheoby. Janie begins to tell Pheoby her life’s story, which starts on a plantation in Georgia where Janie lived with her grandmother, Nanny.

Janie reflects on her life being filled with trauma, as her mother was the product of rape, and Janie learns that she was as well. Janie’s mother, Leafy, left to chase addiction, which left Janie in the care of Nanny.

As Nanny starts to get older, she marries Janie off to her first husband, Logan Killicks. His financial stability impresses Nanny, however, Janie feels unloved by the older man.

Janie leaves Logan for Jody Starks, a businessman who shows her love for the first time. After Janie runs off with Jody, they land in Eatonville where Jody becomes mayor. Janie is set up as the clerk of the general store that Jody owns, and their relationship deteriorates as he becomes more controlling of her. tistically more likely to have their GPA drop, which is another draw-back from Greek life. Parties become a central point of Greek life, which fuels the stereotype. Disciplinary actions have been taken against organizations, as they are held responsible for breaking the terms they agree with SUNY Plattsburgh.

They soon separate, leaving Janie’s last words to Jody on his deathbed 20 years later.

Janie’s third husband, Tea Cake, is 12 years younger than her, so she believes his attraction to her is only due to the property Janie gained after Jody’s death.

This ends up not being the case, as Tea Cake shows Janie more love than her previous husbands.