English 11 CP
SpringBoard Level 6
Unit 4: An American Journey
EA 1: Writing an Analytical Research Essay
DRAFTING INFORMATION
Topic Sentences
Thesis: In Their Eyes Were Watching God, Hurston expresses the theme that it is better to have a
voice than to live in silence; she shows this theme through the use of motifs and characterization.
1 Topic Sentence
Hurston’s characterization of Logan and Jody supports the theme of the novel.
1 BAD Topic Sentence
Janie’s first two husbands are Logan and Jody.
1 Wrap Up Sentence
The characterizations of Logan and Jody express the theme because by them keeping Janie silent, it
affects Janie’s ability to speak for herself and for what she wants in life.
2 Topic Sentence
Hurston also expresses theme by characterizing Tea Cake as a man who encourages Janie to express
herself freely.
2 Wrap Up Sentence
The theme of the novel that it is better to have a voice than to live in silence is shown with the
characterization of Tea Cake because, unlike Jody and Logan, he allows Janie to freely express herself,
which helps Janie to find love in her relationship.
3 Topic Sentence
In the novel, Hurston shows the theme by characterizing Janie as a woman who lives in silence but would
have a better life speaking her mind.
3 Wrap Up Sentence
Hurston shows the theme through Janie’s relationships with Nanny and her three husbands. Nanny,
Logan, and Jody made her be silent when she lived with them; on the other hand, when with Tea Cake she
found herself because she was able to use her voice.
4 Topic Sentence
In the novel, Hurston compares Janie’s relationships to a bee on a pear tree blossom, and this motif shows
the theme.
4 Wrap Up Sentence
In Their Eyes Were Watching God, the theme is present in this motif about the pear tree, bee, and blossom
because it expresses the relationship between a man and woman. For Janie, a sexual relationship should
allow her to express her love for herself and her husband and to have a voice.