Their Eyes Were Watching God – Essay Topics
Choose one of the following topics and write a three­argument literary essay. Your essay will consist of
an introduction, three arguments, and a conclusion. You must include a first page, in­text
parenthetical citations, and a Works Cited page that follow M.L.A. format.
1. Tragedy
In the novel, Their Eyes Were Watching God, the presence of various imagery, character and plot
motifs (e.g.: water imagery, heroic characters, flawed heroes, cycles of victimization) can be compared
to that found in tragic works such as Macbeth and Othello. To what extent is Hurston’s novel a
southern tragedy?
2. Religion
Discuss the role of religious references in Their Eyes Were Watching God.
3. Feminism
Janie: beaten down or model feminist? Discuss.
4. Reputation
Compare the importance of personal reputation in Their Eyes Were Watching God and Othello.
N.B.: NO ESSAY WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR MARKING UNLESS IT IS ACCOMPANIED BY
ALL THE IN­CLASS STEPS OF THE ESSAY PROCESS. FINAL DRAFTS MUST BE
SUBMITTED TO TURNITIN.COM.
NO ROUGH WORK = NO MARK