Their Eyes Were Watching God
Chapter 1 Extract Analysis - Pages 1-2
What is the style of the opening section? How do the first five
paragraphs prepare the reader for what follows?
Their Eyes Were Watching God
Chapter 2 Extract Analysis - Pages 10-12;14-20
What forms of awakening are associated with the pear tree and
spring? What does Janie desire from life?
What motivates Nanny?
Their Eyes Were Watching God
Chapter 4 Extract Analysis - pp. 27-29
Characterization of Joe Starks
1. Consider how the following points express character
- what a character does – including posture, gesture, and deeds
-what a character says – meaning and intention
- how he says it – vocabulary and syntax can reveal nuances which
are not expressed directly
- how a character looks, either by nature or by mood
- imagery or symbolism associated with the character
2. Look at the interplay between character and other elements
- the relationship between the character and setting
- the relationship between the character and theme
- the relationship between the character and mood
- the relationships between characters
Their Eyes Were Watching God
Chapter 5 Discussion Questions
Discuss the characterization of Jody and Janie’s marriage. What can
you infer about their marriage? Cite specific examples from the text.
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Chapter 6 Discussion Question
How does Hurston personify the mule? Why does Hurston do this?
Chapter 6 Extract Analysis – Pages 70-72
Focus on Characterization:
How does Joe’s behavior – his assertion of his power and authority –
impact Janie’s character development?
Their Eyes Were Watching God
Chapter 7 Discussion Question - Pages 78-80
How do you react to Janie standing up to Joe?
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Chapter 8 Extract Analysis - Pages 85-87
Analyze the conversation between Janie and Joe as well as Janie’s
reaction to Joe’s death.
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Chapter 9 Extract Analysis – Pages 88-90
Focus on Characterization and Imagery:
Analyze Janie’s character development at this point in the novel. How
does Hurston use contrasts to reveal Janie’s emotions? What do the
images of light imply about Janie’s character?
Their Eyes Were Watching God
Chapters 10-13 Discussion Questions
Chapter 10:
What does Janie find attractive in the manner and conversation of Tea
Cake?
Chapter 11:
Why is Janie resistant to Tea Cake’s advances? What does this say
about Janie’s inside and outside self?
Chapter 12:
Why do the townspeople consider Tea Cake an unsuitable match for
Janie? How does Janie respond to their criticisms?
Chapter 13:
What are some ways in which issues of class and money are central
to the novel? What assumptions about gender and money are
apparent in the relationship of Janie and Tea Cake?
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Chapter 14 Extract Analysis – Pages 132-134
Focus on Characterization and Setting:
How has Janie’s character developed since marrying Tea Cake and
moving to the Everglades? Be sure to compare her relationship with
Tea Cake to her earlier marriages and also compare the setting of the
muck to the store in Eatonville.
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Chapter 16 Discussion Question
What purpose is served by the presence of Mrs. Turner? How does
Janie respond to her opinions?
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Chapter 17 Extract Analysis Pages 147-149
Focus on Setting and Gender Roles:
What does this passage reveal about Tea Cake and the expectations
for a man in his society?
In what ways does this passage reveal the complexity of Hurston’s
narrative?
Their Eyes Were Watching God
Chapter 18 Discussion Questions
How is the burden of American society (issues of class and racism)
explored through Tea Cake in this chapter?
The Lake is personified as a monster. How does this fit in with the
framework of the rest of the novel?
“Six eyes Were questioning God.” (p. 159) What is the significance of
this quote?
Their Eyes Were Watching God
Chapter 19 Discussion Questions
What does Hurston have to say about race when she discusses
burying those who died in the hurricane?
Discuss how Hurston stages the scene of Tea Cake’s death.
Is the trial scene realistically and/or well presented? What do you
make of the fact that many white townswomen rally behind Janie's
case? That her friends, acquaintances and other farm workers judge
her harshly?
Is Janie able to give a full account of what happened to her at the
trial? What aspects of the case prompt Janie's release? What is her
attitude toward the trial, her shooting of her husband, and Tea Cake's
death?
What values underlie Janie’s choice of funeral arrangements? What
do you make of the fact that she readily forgives those who a few
days previously had sought to have a murder verdict brought in
against her?
Their Eyes Were Watching God
Chapter 20 Discussion Question
What is the tone of the last two paragraphs? How do you feel about
the way the novel ends?