Student 1
Typical Student
ENGL 102
Dr. Mekler
22 April 2010
Nanny and Janie
Throughout the novel Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston, Janie and
Nanny’s relationship is rough. Even though Nanny was not physically there in most of the novel,
her influence on Janie’s decisions was always present. The decisions Nanny made for Janie were
appropriate and justified. Janie resented Nanny for it, but she did what she was told. Nanny’s
early influence on Janie played a big role in the decisions Janie made in the novel; whether it was
something Nanny wanted her to do, or not.
In the early chapters of the novel, Nanny made one of the biggest decisions for Janie in
her life. She was to be married off to Logan Killicks. According to Wendie McCredie, “Nanny
could not protect her daughter once she had became a woman” (26). Nanny felt that Janie was
now a woman and that it was time for her to be married. Janie was sixteen years old when she
married Logan. Nanny wanted Janie to have security and protection. Nanny explains to Janie
“’Tain’t Logan Killicks Ah wants you to have, baby, it’s protection. Ah ain’t gittin’ old, honey.
Ah’m done ole. One mornin’ soon, now de angel wid de sword is gointuh stop by here. De day
and de hour is hid from me, but it won’t be long” (15). In this quote, Nanny was not concerned
with Janie being in love but only for the security. Nanny goes on to tell Janie that she is old and
Student 2
she can’t take care of her anymore. This is a justified reason why Janie should be married to
someone like Logan who can protect her. According to Lillie Howard, “Her intentions are
wholly good and, her actions understandable, her advice well-meant” (Journal of Black Studies
404). Nanny only wanted the best for Janie, and considered her a “second chance” because of
what happened with Janie’s mother.
After Nanny died, Janie left Logan thinking she would find love with Joe Starks. When it
wasn’t the love she was looking for she blamed Nanny and she hated her for it. Janie was
determined to find love. She claimed that she did what nanny wanted her to do; now it was time
to do what she wanted to do. When she met Tea Cake, she ran off with him. People questioned if
running off with a man nearly ten years younger than her was the right thing to do just a year
after her husband Joe Starks passed away. Janie didn’t care what other people thought of her
decisions anymore. She was doing what she wanted to do and that was what she wanted all
along.
Throughout the novel, the decisions Janie made for herself, were for herself. She was
upset with Nanny for the decisions she made for her; even though Nanny’s decisions were
appropriate for Janie. She did what she felt was in her best interest.
Student 3
Works Cited
Howard, Lillie P. Nanny and Janie: Will the Twain Ever Meet? (A Look at Zora Neale Hurston's
Their Eyes Were Watching God). Vol. 12. Sage Publications. Print.
Hurston, Zora N. Their Eyes Were Watching God
McCredie, Wendy J. Authority and Authorization in Their Eyes Were Watching God. Vol. 16. St.
Louis University. Print.
Questions to Consider:
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What is the main thesis of the paper? Does the author adequately support it?
Does the person stay on the original topic? Present a passage that does not seem to
belong and could be eliminated.
Find two examples of quotation in the essay, one each from the primary source and
a secondary source. Does the writer properly cite the quotes? Do the quotes
adequately fit in to the discussion where they are found? Do they support the
writer's claims? Explain.
Are there parts of the paper that are difficult to understand? Explain.
Are sources presented in proper MLA format? Are there any that need to be
corrected? Make specific suggestions.