Their Eyes Were Watching God
1.
In 1937 black novelist Richard Wright reviewed Their Eyes Were Watching God and wrote: “The
sensory sweep of her novel carries no theme, no message, no thought. In the main, her novel is not
addressed to the Negro, but to a white audience whose chauvinistic tastes she knows how to satisfy.” In
particular, Wright objected to the novel’s discussion of race and use of black dialect and the lack of any
strong indictment against racism. Argue against Wright’s interpretation of the novel using evidence and
analysis to promote the book’s merit.
2.
Well-written novels are “layered,” and can often be viewed through different “filters” or critical
approaches in order to glean a full meaning and purpose from the novel. Using your Big Red section on
Critical Approaches to Literature (aka filters), discuss how Their Eyes Were Watching God can be
interpreted as a “feminist” novel, an “anthropological” novel, and a “psychological” novel based on wellselected evidence and careful analysis.
3.
Folklore, colloquialism and dialect, symbolism, syntax, figurative language, and imagery combine
into a unique writing style that reflects Zora’s “roots” in Eatonville, Florida as well as her training and
education as a folklorist and anthropologist. Discuss at least three of the stylistic devices mentioned and
show how they add richness, depth, flavor and “personality” to the novel.
4.
In her relationships with Nanny, Logan, Jody and Teacake, Janie experiences different types of
love. Explain what kind of love each significant person represents and how each kind of love changes
and “instructs” Janie. Relate her experiences and the knowledge gained from them to an overall theme
of the novel.
5.
Their Eyes Were Watching God is concerned with issues of speech or “voice” and how speech is
both a mechanism of control and a vehicle of liberation. Discuss both the use and impact of silence and
speech in the novel at three key points and tie it to an overall theme of the novel.
6.
Compare and contrast the short story “Sweat” with the novel Their Eyes Were Watching God;
how do they differ in tone, characterization, and theme? How are they the same in effective use of
figurative language, imagery, and use of dialect?