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Their Eyes Were Watching God
by Zora Neale Hurston
Study Questions
Foreword by Mary Helen Washington
1. What do you learn here about ZNH including when she lived and died plus her claim to fame?
Many, for not writing in fiction genre as it was accustomed for a protest novel, criticized her. She was
buried in unmarked grave.
2. When was TEWWG written and published?
Written in 1937 and published in 1973.
3. Why were writers/critics such as Richard Wright so condemning of the novel?
They thought it used certain parts of negro life for her personal gain by appeasing the white audience.
4. What caused a revival of interest in ZNH and TEWWG in the 1970s?
African American Studies.
Chapter 1
1. How are men and women different with regard to their dreams and lives, according to the first two
paragraphs?
Men like to have adventure in their lives. Women have a set goal or a decision of what they want.
2. What does the reader learn about Janie in paragraph three that none of the other characters in chapter
one knows about her? Define the literary term dramatic irony and explain whether this secret
information we learn about Janie exemplifies dramatic irony or not.
The other characters do not know that two of Janie’s husbands have died. Dramatic irony is the readers
know something that other characters do not.
3. What type of incident could have caused Janie to bury people as mentioned in paragraph three? Why
do you suppose that ZNH keeps that and other particulars about Janie from us?
Someone she cared about has passed away. Foreshadowing.
4. Except for Pheoby, how do the women on the porch regard Janie? Why are they so negative about
her? What inferences do they make about her? Upon what are these inferences based?
They do not like her. Janie was always ahead of them even now she has more money than them.
5. Do the men on the porch regard Janie as the women do or differently? Explain.
No, they see her as an object to be looked at.
6. How does Pheoby react to the other women's criticism of Janie? Why does Pheoby visit Janie? What
does Pheoby want to learn from Janie?
Pheoby reacts angrily to their criticism. She calls them foolish for mocking Janie. Pheoby visits to
offer Janie a meal.
7. How did Janie obtain her money she left town with? Who is Tea Cake, and what is his relationship to
Janie? How much older or younger is he than Janie? What is your reaction to their age difference?
Why?
She obtained her money from the death of her husband. Tea Cake was her husband. Tea Cake is 10
years younger than Janie is. Depends on whether or not they love each other.
8. What is Janie's reaction to the gossip from the women on the porch?
She does not care what they think about her.
9. According to Janie, what gossip about her from the women on the porch is untrue? Is Janie poor?
What is the truth about Janie's life, as far as she reveals it in this chapter?
They are wrong about her relationship with Tea Cake. No she is not poor. She only came back because
of Tea Cake leaving.
10. What evidence is there in the first chapter that the novel is set in Florida in the late 1930s, focusing
on African-Americans, with a woman as its main character, a woman trying to discover her voice and
true identity?
They talk about masters. The women do the work while the men talk.
11. What is a frame story? Is TEWWG a frame story? Explain.
It is a story within a story. Yes, because Janie is telling a story in the book.
12. What is the novel's point of view: first person, third person limited, omniscient, objective, or
something else? Explain.
I believe it is omniscient because the readers know stuff the characters don’t.
13. Who is the novel's narrator? What do you know about the narrator? Describe the voice and diction
of the narrator and how it is different from the language of the novel's characters.
The narrator is an outsider. He knows what has happened in Janie’s life and he speaks in proper dialect
unlike the characters who speak in a black dialect.
14. What is your reaction to the novel's use of black dialect? Explain. Do you find the dialect difficult
to read? Explain. Do you consider the dialect demeaning to African-Americans? Why? How does ZNH
justify her use of black dialect?
The dialect was used well. Yes, it was very difficult to comprehend. No I don’t consider the dialect
demeaning because she used it in a way that it could have been used back then.
15. What is Janie's motivation to tell Pheoby her life's story, which begins in the second chapter? (see
bottom of page 6) What seems to be Pheoby's main function in the novel?
People are gossiping about her and she wants someone to know the truth. A back up character, a person
for the story to be told too.
16. What unanswered questions-implied, not stated-are motivation for the reader to continue? Do these
questions "hook" your interest? Why? Do you think you already know the answers to these
"questions"? Explain.
What happened to her husbands that caused them to die? What happened in her life? No, I am not very
interested in the book but that is just my opinion.
Chapter 2
1. At the beginning of the chapter, the narrator says, "Janie saw her life like a great tree in leaf . . . ."
How was Janie's life "like a great tree in leaf"? Explain.
She had worked hard to get there and in doing so she earned a lot.
2. What discovery about herself did Janie make when she was about six? What was her reaction to this
discovery?
She discovered she was black. She didn’t understand how this made her different.
3. Why was Janie raised by her grandmother, Nanny, instead of by her parents? How would you
describe Janie's childhood with Nanny? Explain.
She lived with her grandmother because she never knew her father and her mother left before Janie
could remember. It was a decent childhood it could have been a whole lot worse.
4. Why kind of life had Nanny had as a young woman? Who had fathered Nanny's child, "Leafy," who
would grow up to become Janie's mother? What ever became of Janie's father?
Nanny was a slave. A white man was Leafy father. He ran off after raping Janie’s mother.
5. Why had Nanny taken her baby and escaped from the plantation? What would have happened to her
and her baby if they hadn't got away? Why?
Nanny took her baby because the mistress was going to kill Nanny by beating her then sell Leafy into
slavery.
6. What incident involving Janie causes Nanny to decide that she will have Janie marry Logan
Killicks? Why does Nanny believe Killicks will be a good husband for Janie? What is Janie's feeling
about the idea of marrying Killicks? Why? Do you believe Janie should marry Killicks? Why or why
not?
Janie kissed a boy. Nanny believes he will be a good husband because he is a decent and holy man.
She doesn’t want to marry Logan because she wants to date other people before she settles do.
7. Nanny says to Janie, "Ah wanted to preach a great sermon about colored women sittin' on high, but
they wasn't no pulpit for me". What plans had Nanny had for Janie's mother, and how did her plans
relate to the quotation? What happened to Janie's mother at age 17? What became of Janie's mother
afterwards? What does Janie have to do with Nanny's quotation?
Nanny wanted Janie’s mother to be a teacher. The problem for her being a teacher there would be no
one to teach. She was raped. Her mother began partying. Janie is another chance for Nanny to fulfill
her wish.
8. Who was Janie's father? What has become of him?
Her father was a school teacher. He ran away after raping her mother.
9. At the end of the chapter, Nanny says, "Put me down easy, Janie, Ah'm a cracked plate." Explain
what Nanny means by that statement. How is she like a "cracked plate"? Do you agree? Why?
She means that she is not useful anymore. She is broken.
Chapter 3
1. At the beginning of the chapter, Janie asks, "Did marriage end the cosmic loneliness of the unmated?
Did marriage compel love like the sun the day?" What answers to those questions does she find as the
wife of Logan Killicks? Explain.
She found that if you are not happy in marriage it will not solve anything.
2. Is Nannny sympathetic or unsympathetic about Janie's feelings about her marriage so far with Logan
Killicks? Why? With whom do you agree more-Janie or Nanny? Explain.
Nanny is unsympathetic because Nanny said she should be grateful. Janie she shouldn’t have to marry
someone she doesn’t love.
3. Nannny says to Janie, "Lawd have mussy? Dat's the very prong all us black women gits hung on. Dis
love!" (22). What is Nanny talking about? Do you agree or disagree with her? Why? What dream of
Janie's is "dead" as a result of her marriage to Logan Killicks? (See 24).
That love is causing problems in marriage. The dream that she can love anyone she wants.
Chapter 4
1. How had Logan Killlicks begun to treat Janie differently from when they were just married? Explain.
At the beginning, Logan treated her very good but as time went on he made her do more work around
the farm.
2. Why is Logan planning to buy two mules? What does he intend Janie to do with regard to the mules?
What is her reation to Logan's plans?
So two plows can works at once. Janie is supposed to run one plow. She doesn’t say anything.
4. How does Janie meet Joe Starks? Describe how he looks and acts.
She hears him whistling as he walks down the road. A stylish dressed man with his hat set at an angle.
He had on a shirt with silk sleeve holders.
5. As soon as we learn Joe Starks's name, explain how we already know that Janie will marry him,
move to Eatonville, their marriage will end, she will leave Eatonville with another man for south
Florida, and later return home to Eatonville without the other man. Even though we already knowthese
facts, what about them do we not know yet? Explain.
We know these facts because chapter one told us them. We don’t know what will happen to Tea Cake
and how will Joe Sparks marriage will end.
6. To Janie, Joe Starks "did not represent sun-up and pollen and blooming trees, but he spoke for far
horizon. He spoke for change and chance.” What does this quotation mean, literally, in your own
words? Explain.
It means if she married Joe she would not live the life she had for the last couple years.
7. What justification does Logan give for being a good husband to Janie? Do you agree with him?
Explain.
He says he works for her and he feeds her. No because I don’t believe he truly loved her.
8. What justification does Janie give herself for leaving Logan to run off with Joe Starks? Do you agree
with her decision? Explain.
She says change will happen if she goes with Joe but I do not agree because change may not be a good
thing.
9. Who is most to blame for the failure of Janie and Logan's marriage-Janie, Logan, or Joe Starks?
Explain.
I think the blame goes onto Jamie and Logan because they both did not love each other.
10. Do you believe that Joe Starks was right or wrong in courting Janie, a married woman, and offering
her an opportunity to run away from her husband to live to marry and live with him instead? Explain.
He was right in the way of marrying for love.
11. Do you feel sorry for Logan Killicks after Janie leaves him? Why? Explain what you think Logan
will do next and tell why.
No because he did not really treat her how she should be treated. He will try to get her back.
12. "From now on until death she [Janie] was going to have flower dust and springtime sprinkled over
everything. A bee for her bloom" . Explain in your own words what this quotation means.
Janis is going to have a good time with Joe and love him. Fills the hole in his heart.
13. What is your reaction to Janie's marrying Joe Starks when she is still married to Logan Killicks?
What is polygamy? Could Logan have had her arrested for polygamy? What could have been Janie's
punishment, if found guilty? Do you think it's likely that he will? Why? Do you think Logan will try to
take revenge on Joe Starks for stealing Janie from him? Why? Explain. What do we already know that
might influence our opinions about these questions?
I do not think it is right even though she loves Joe. Polygamy is being married to more than one
person. Probably not, they are black. She would be hanged. No he still wants to be with her even
though she doesn’t love him.
Chapter 5
1. Where do newlyweds Joe and Janie go to live? How does this town figure in the life of ZNH? Why
has Joe chosen this town as a place to live?
Eatonville Florida, ZNH actually lived. He wanted to have influence and he could here.
2. What is Joe and Janie's first impression of Eatonville? Why?
Disappointed, It didn’t live up to there expectations.
3. Who are Amos Hicks and Lee Coker? What information about Eatonville do Joe and Janie learn
from them? What incorrect inference about Janie does Amos make?
Amos Hicks is Governor from Buford, South Carolina. Lee Cocher also lives in Buford. They learn the
size of the town. They think Janie is Joe’s daughter.
4. Why is the idea of Joe Starks' buying land from Captain Eaton so funny to the gathered men?
It is funny to them because the idea of him being a wealthy black man.
5. How do the men of Eatonville regard Janie? What does Hicks attempt to do with Janie? What is the
result? What does Coker mean when he says to Hicks, "You can't get her wid no fish sandwich" ?
They are attracted to her. Hicks attempted to court Janie but Janie declines. He means you have to be
wealth to have Janie.
6. What is Hick's reaction to the idea of Starks's putting up a store with a post office in it? Why?
Explain.
Hicks doesn’t think he can do it. Hicks is also not used to such rapid change.
7. What is Joe Stark's favorite expression? What do you think it means?
I god. It is his form of exaggerating what is being said.
8. What is Joe Starks's motive in building a general store and post office other than to sell store goods?
To help black people move up in their status and money.
9. What honor do the citizens of Eatonville give Joe Starks?
Elect him mayor.
10. Why does Joe not want Janie to give a speech?
He believes she should just do domestic duties since she is a woman.
11. What does Joe order for the town from Sears, Roebuck, and Company? How does the town react to
this gift? Explain.
He bought a street lamp. Some think is a bad idea or a waste of money. But most people voted for it.
12. Joe ask Janie, "Well, honey, how yuh lak bein' Mrs. Mayor?". In your own words, how does she
respond? What is your reaction to Janie's feelings? Why?
She is hesitant and is second-guessing her decision. She doesn’t like being called Mrs. Mayor.
13. "There was something about Joe Starks that cowed the town.” In your own words, explain what the
narrator means by this statement.
He is an overpowering and controlling persona.
14. What was the town's reaction to Joe's getting Janie a lady-sized spittoon with little sprigs of flowers
painted all around its sides? Explain.
They felt like they had been used and betrayed.
15. What did Joe do when he caught Henry Pitts with a wagon load of Joe's sugar cane? What were the
townspeople's reactions to what Joe did? What is your reaction? Why?
He threw Pitts out of town. They thought it was unfair. I didn’t like it a person should keep the crops
they grow.
16. What's the town's reaction to how Joe treats Janie, especially regarding how she must dress and
behave in the store and how he treats her in front of other people there? Explain. What is your reaction?
Why?
They pay little attention to it though some believe it is wrong. I believe it is wrong to have that much
control over another person.
Chapter 6
1. What does the narrator mean by saying people sat on the porch of the store and "passed around the
pictures of their thoughts"? Explain.
They talked about whatever was on their minds no matter what it was.
2. According to Sam, what have the "womenfolks" been using Matt Bonner's yellow mule for?
They have been using its ribs for a washing board.
3. According to Lige, what saved the Roberts' "chillun" from being "trompled . . . to death by Matt
Bonner's yellow mule?
Wind blowing the mule off course
4. Why doesn't Joe want Janie to participate in "mule talk" with those that hang out on the porch of the
store?
He does not want Janie associating with trashy people.
5. Why has Janie "come to hate the inside of that store"? Explain.
She is always inside it when she wants to be outside hearing the stories.
6. What had Joe caught Walter doing to Janie's hair one night in the store? What is Joe's reaction?
Why? What is your reaction? Why? What is Janie's reaction to Joe's demands? Are your more
sympathetic here to Janie or to Joe? Why?
Playing with her hair. Orders Janie to tie her hair up. I think she should be able to wear her how
however she likes.
7. Why does Joe buy Matt Bonner's yellow mule? What is Matt's reaction after the sale? What does Joe
use the mule for? What is Janie's reaction to Joe's buying the mule and his plans for it? According to
Janie, what does Joe (Jody) have in common with Abraham Lincoln?
To let it rest and because Janie said, it was being teased all the time. She is happy by what Joe did. Joe
and Abraham Lincoln are similar because they both set something free.
8. When the mule dies, how do the people of the town dispose of its body? What is your reaction?
They drag it out of town. They could have at least buried it.
9. Why doesn't Joe allow Janie to attend the mule's funeral? What is ironic or funny about the elaborate
funeral Joe and the others give to honor the dead mule? Who are the Parson and his followers who have
a separate funeral for the mule after Joe and the other townspeople leave? What is your reaction to this
scene? What do you think is ZNH's reason for including this entire mule story (48-58) in her novel? Is
it important to the plot? Explain.
Her being the mayor’s wife makes her different. She would not be able to be with him any way since
he would be helping drag the mule out.
10. "Everybody can't be like you, Jody. Somebody is bound tuh want tuh laugh and play". Explain what
Janie it talking about, how she and Joe disagree, and whether she bends to his will on this issue or not.
She is saying not everyone is like Joe, some people want to have fun. She agrees with him so they will
not fight.
11. Sam and Lige love to play "the Dozens," that age-old black ritual of graceful insult. Who, in your
opinion, wins their argument, "What is it dat keeps uh man from getting' burnt on uh red-hot stovecaution or nature?" Who is Big John de Conquer, and how does he fit into the discussion?
Big John de Conquer is proclaimed the strongest man he can do anything. Sam is trying to back his
argument by saying nature made him better.
12. Describe the "playacting" that goes on among the men and women, especially Jim, Dave, and
Daisy. Does this kind of kidding around go on today among you and your peers? Explain.
The men argue over who loves Daisy. Yes it does, it us usually over dumb things though.
13. "The bed was no longer a daisy-field for her and Joe to play in" Explain this quotation and how it
symbolizes Janie's changed perception of Joe and their marriage.
They are not in love as they once were when they were first married
14. What is your reaction to the scene involving Mrs. Tony Robbins? Do you find it funny,
embarrassing, or insulting? Explain.
Since the meat was to be used for Mrs. Robbins and her children Joe should have given them more.
Insulting, it was very stingy of him.
15. "It's so easy to make yo'self out God Almighty when you ain't got nothin' tuh strain against but
women and chickens." What motivates Janie to say this to Joe? What is his reaction? What is your
reaction? Why?
She is standing up for what she believes in. Joe just completely ignores this. HE is not very caring for
what people think.
Chapters 7-10
1. How old is Janie at the start of Chapter 7, and what changes have occurred in her outlook on life, her
happiness in marriage, and her future plans? How long has she now been married to Jody?
24. She had given up on her dreams. She has been married for 7 years.
2. Explain what the following passage means and what it is saying about reading: "She didn't read
books so she didn't know that she was the world and the heavens boiled down to a drop. Man
attempting to climb to painless heights from his dung hill"
Janie is more important than she realizes because she let these men drag her down.
3. What changes have occurred in Joe? How old is he now?
Just as with Logan, Joe stopped being compassionate towards Janie. Late 40s early 50s.
4. "Takin' 'bout me lookin' old! When you pull down yo' britches, you look lak de change of life (75).
What has prompted Janie to say this to Joe? What effect does this have on him? With whom are you
more sympathetic here-Janie or Joe? Why?
Joe keeps insulting Janie and she finally has something snap inside her. I’m more sympathetic towards
Janie since she has been neglected.
5. What changes in his life does Jody make, as described in Chapter 8, What is Janie's reaction to these
changes? Why?
Joes moves into a different room than Janie. This shows how far they have grown apart.
6. How is death personified in Chapter 8? Explain.
Death is shown to be like the Grim Reaper.
7. In your own words, describe the final conversation between Janie and Joe. What is her purpose in
saying what she does? What is Joe's reaction? What is your reaction? Why?
Janie is trying to say to Joe how he has been changing from the person she loved. She is doing this so
he doesn’t die without knowing this. He doesn’t listen.
8. "Years ago, she had told her girl self to wait for her in the looking glass". Explain what the narrator is
saying about Janie. What does Janie see in the mirror?
The narrator is saying she kept herself locked away and hidden. Now when she look she see what she
could be.
9. What change does Janie make in her appearance the day following Joe's funeral? What is your
reaction? Why?
She gets rid of all the things Joe used to repress her. It made me feel good for her to get rid of his
controlling ways.
10. The words horizon/horizons are used three times in Chapter 9. What special meaning does the word
horizon have as it's used here? What realization about herself and life does Janie discover following
Joe's death? Why is Janie so critical of Nanny's view of life and how she raised her?
11. Explain the meaning of this quotation: "Like all the other tumbling mud-balls, Janie had tried to
show her shine"
It means inner beauty is hidden behind a curtain and you have to look to find it.
12. Following Joe's death, how do the gentlemen suitors treat Janie? What about her are they most
interested in? What was the one thing none of them would mention to the "widow of Joseph Starks?"
Why? What does Janie mean when she says, "To my thinkin' mourning oughtn't tuh last no longer'n
grief" What's the difference as she means it between mourning and grief?
They treat her as if she us helpless. They take great interest in the money Joe left her.
13. Describe Tea Cake. What is his actual name? How is he different from other suitors? How does
Janie respond to him? What is it about him that attracts her? What is your initial reaction to Tea Cake?
Why? What do we already know will happen with them? What do we not know about their
relationship?
Tea Cake is a young man who is very enchanting to Janie. He is different because he isn’t worried
about how supposedly helpless Janie is. Tea Cake is probably a good man for her. We already know
they go off with each other. We don’t know if they will marry.
Chapters 11-13
1. What reservations does Janie have about her interest in Tea Cake? Who is Hezekiah (Kiah), and
what opinion of Tea Cake does he express to Janie?
He is young and he may just be in it for the money. They shouldn’t get close and Tea Cake is poor.
2. What is the age difference between Tea Cake and Janie? What concerns does she have about it?
What is Tea Cake's reaction to their age difference? What is your reaction to their age difference?
About 10 to 15 years. She worries he might be too young. Love is love no matter what form it is in.
3. Tea Cake "could be a bee to a blossom-a pear tree blossom in the spring" Explain what these feelings
of Janie toward Tea Cake mean. What connection does this description have with the blooming pear
tree Janie reacted to at Nanny's as a teen?
It means that Tea Cake can help make her love grow like a bee. It relates it to something Nanny gave
her as a child.
4. After his pleasant evening visit with her, why does Tea Cake come back to see Janie the following
morning? What does this morning visit have to do with what Janie had said to him the night before?
To tell Janie he is thinking of her. It makes her rethink what she had said about him.
5. What evidence (Ch. 11 ) is there that Janie and Tea Cake have become lovers? What is your
reaction? Do you think Tea Cake is sincere or only after her money? Do you think they'll get married?
Why?
They woke up together. I think it is good Janie found someone like this after her previous husbands. I
believe he is sincere and they will probably get married.
6. What is the town's reaction to Janie's relationship with Tea Cake? Why?
They don’t like it and they spread rumors about them.
7. Why does Janie decide to sell the store? Why doesn't she simply let Tea Cake run it for her?
Because they are leaving and Tea Cake is not Joe.
8. What does Pheoby mean by saying, "Ah jus lak uh chicken. Chicken drink water, but he don't peepee"?
It means Phoeby will listen and just keep what has been told to her to herself.
9. How is Janie dressed when she leaves Eatonville? How does this relate to the beginning of the
novel? Where does she go to meet Tea Cake? What mode of transportation does she use? Right after
she arrives, what does she and Tea Cake do first?
In a blue dress. She was going to marry Tea Cake. A train. Go see a preacher.
10. Briefly relate the story of Annie Tyler that Janie remembers. What parallel does Janie see between
Annie' Tyler's story and her own? What evidence is there that this incident with Tea Cake will have an
unhappy ending? What evidence is there that it will have a happy ending? Which do you expect at this
point? Why?
Annie didn’t really know her fiancée but Janie said she does.
11. How had Tea Cake spent most of the $200 he had taken from Janie? What does he have left to show
for it? How much money did he return home with? What is Janie's reaction to this episode? What
additional information does this episode reveal about Tea Cake? What is your overall opinion of him
now? Do you think he's a good husband for Janie to have or not? Why?
He spent it gambling. $12 left. He is
12. What happens when Tea Cake goes out gambling again? What injuries does he sustain? Who does
it? Why? Financially, did Tea Cake take a loss or make a profit? Explain. What is Janie's reaction to
this episode? Does this latest episode change your opinion of Tea Cake? Explain. As Ch. 13 ends, what
plans does Tea Cake have for him and Janie? What is your reaction to these plans?
He gets in a fight. He is cut. He made money this time. Think he is still being immature and not very
safe about his money. His plans are to go somewhere where they can make more money. He needs to
worry more about their relationship than their money.
Chapters 14-17
1. Describe some of the things Tea Cake and Janie do to earn money when they first arrive in the
Everglades. What are some other activities they do together? What is Tea Cake waiting for in hopes of
earning large amounts of money?
Hunted, farmed, and sold the hides of what they killed. Hunted and farmed together. Gambling
2. What new skill does Janie develop? Chekov, the famous Russian dramatist, once said that a gun
hanging on the wall in the first act must come down and be used during the final act. What is your
reaction to Janie's new skill? Do you see this information as an unimportant detail, or, as Chekov, an
ominous portent of something ugly to come? Why?
She gets good at shooting. She will have to use it on some one. I see it as a clue of something bad to
come.
3. Describe the workers that poured in from all parts of the country. Why were so many of them
coming to this part of Florida?
Poor families looking to work on plantations.
4. Why does Tea Cake urge Janie to get a job picking beans? What is Janie's reaction to his request?
He gets lonely but she doesn’t want to.
5. Describe in your own words what is going on in the story at the end of Chapter 14. What do you
suppose is ZNH's purpose for including this scene?
They are accustomed to their new lives. See how relaxed they are.
6. What did Tea Cake do with Nunkie that made Janie jealous? Whom do you find at fault: Tea Cake,
Nunkie, both, neither? Why? What did Janie do to correct the problem? What is your reaction to this
short chapter? Why?
Wrestled with Nunkie. Both since Tea is married and she should know better. Fight. This chapter
emphasizes how much Janie loves Tea Cake.
7. Describe Mrs. Turner. Why is she so negative toward "Negroes"? What does she see as some
undesirable characteristics of blacks? Why is such a hatred ironic, coming from her? Why is she
attracted to Janie?
She is negative to blacks because she doesn’t like the way they act or talk. How the act and talk. She
is part black. Because she looks almost white.
8. What is Mrs. Turner's opinion of Booker T. Washington? Why? What is Janie's reaction to Mrs.
Turner's view?
She doesn’t like him at all. Because she says blacks only know slavery. Janie is speechless.
9. What would Mrs. Turner like see happen between her brother and Janie? Why? What is Janie's
reaction to such an idea?
Them get married. Because she doesn’t like Tea Cake. Janie loves Tea Cake and says no.
10. What is Tea Cake's opinion of Mrs. Turner? Why? What is Mrs. Turner's opinion of Tea Cake?
Why?
Doesn’t like her because of what she tells Janie. Think he acts too Black.
11. For what reasons does Tea Cake whip Janie? What reaction does this action cause to Tea Cake's
friends and fellow workers? Why? What is your reaction? Why?
To show he is the man. Jealousy because they want to be in control. I think it is disrespectful of Janie.
12. Describe the incident that occurs at Mrs. Turner's eating house involving Tea Cake, Stew Beef, Sopde-Bottom, Bootyny, Motor Boat, Coodemay, Sterrett, and others. What seems to be the cause? What
other, underlying reason could have caused it? Do you find any of this episode funny? Explain.
Argument started up over a seat while they were eating and drinking. The drinks that they had were
alcoholic.
Chapter 18
1. Explain how the following react to sign that a hurricane is coming: (A) a band of Seminoles, (B)
various animals, (C) Lias, (D) the men who gather at Tea Cake's house
The Seminoles head east. The animals head east and take shelter. Lias leaves. The mean stay.
2. Explain the meaning of this quotation from Motor Boat: "Big Massa draw him chair upstairs. . . Old
Mass is doin' His work now. Us ougha keep quiet"
Work is already happening and everyone need to stop interrupting.
3. Besides suffering damage to buildings that could result from high winds and rain as with any
hurricane, in what additional danger are the people on the muck as a result of this storm? Why?
Lake is high. It could flood.
4. Why had Tea Cake, Janie, and the others with them not evacuated?
The bosses hadn’t yet. Didn’t think it was serious enough to require it.
5. Explain the meaning of the quotation near the top of page 160 that contains the title of the novel.
Why do you suppose ZNH chose this title for her novel? Do you fee it's a good title? Why? (If not,
what would be better? Why?)
They looked to God to find their path. It seemed to be the story of Janie’s life. Yes, because it matches
Janie’s life very well.
6. What startling discovery do Tea Cake and Janie make about the lake? Why do Tea Cake and Janie
decide to leave, finally? Why does Motor Boat decide to stay? Were there any other options? What
would you have done in their situation? Why?
It is running out over the sides. Water was a danger to their lives. Doesn’t feel threatened by it. No. I
would have been the first one out.
7. Explain how Tea Cake saves Janie's life. What injury does Tea Cake suffer as a result? What could
be some possible complications from such an injury?
He killed a dog that was chasing her. Bitten. Infection, any diseases t dog could be carrying.
8. What's Janie's reaction to Tea Cake's actions in saving her life?
He was her hero.
9. How does what we know about Tea Cake up to this point in the story contradict the gossip on the
porch about him from Chapter One? What is your opinion of Tea Cake up to this point in the story?
Why?
He has standards and would not leave his wife. He is a good man.
10. What unanswered questions from Chapter One have now been answered? What unanswered
questions from Chapter One remain? What is your guess to these unanswered questions? Explain.
11. ZNH has planted some subtle foreshadowing in this chapter-as well as earlier--as to how the novel
will end, especially with regard to Tea Cake and Janie. Although you won't know for sure until you
read the final two chapters, what do you suppose those foreshadowing clues might be? What ending do
you think they suggest? Why? If you aren't sure, tell whether you believe the story will happily or
tragically, and why.
Janie was saved and Tea Cake was injured are clues. Tea Cake is going to die.
Chapters 19-20
1. Describe the situation facing Tea Cake and Janie in Palm Beach at the beginning of Chapter 19.
People are burying the dead and they are stuck there.
2. What unwanted job does Tea Cake get "hired" to do? What would likely have happened to him if he
had refused to take the job?
He is a undertaker. He would be killed.
3. Explain how the title of the novel is again suggested-although not stated explicitly-in the middle of
page 170.
God sees everyone equally.
4. How are the burial arrangements different for whites and blacks? What is Tea Cake's reaction? What
is your reaction?
Blacks are thrown in holes, white people are buried in coffins. It is unjust to treat people differently.
5. When Tea Cake and Janie get back to the muck, whom among their friends do they learn did not
survive the storm? What has happened to Motor Boat?
Sterret. Motor Boat survived the storm.
6. What happens to Tea Cake the fourth week back from the hurricane? What does he guess is the
cause? What does Janie do for him? What does Dr. Simmons report to Janie about Tea Cake's
condition?
Headaches and throat closing. Seemed like an allergic reaction. Doctor comes and tells them about the
dog. Tea Cake is dying.
7. What is Janie's reaction to Tea Cake's condition? What danger is Janie in as a result of Tea Cake's
condition? Why?
She is worried. Tea Cake is headed to be uncontrollable and she will probably get rabies in turn.
8. What is Tea Cake's only chance for survival? What does Janie do to try to save him?
A vital medicine he needs. Janie tried to get it.
9. What does Tea Cake accuse Janie of? Why? How have his behavior and reasoning been affected by
his illness? What frightening object does Janie discover under Tea Cake's pillow? What additional
danger does that put her in?
He says he was with Mrs. Turner. The disease causes him not to think correctly. She might be shot
cause it was a gun..
10. What is the climax of the novel? What is Janie's reaction? What is your reaction? Did Janie have
any other options under the circumstances? Explain. What is your reaction to this violent scene?
Tea Cake tries to kill Janie but shots himself instead. She is upset because Tea Cake is dead. She had
no choice she had to save her own life.
11. Some critics have said the trial scene that follows is unnecessary, one of the weakest parts of the
novel? Do you agree? Why? Why do some of the people Janie and Tea Cake had known testify against
her at the trial? What is Janie's reaction? What is your reaction? Was the outcome of the trial ever in
doubt? Why?
If it really happened it should have been included.
12. Describe Tea Cake's funeral in your own words. How does it compare with Joe Stark's funeral?
Explain how Janie and Tea Cake's friends who had testified against her are able to make up and forgive
one another. Is this making up believable? Explain.
Tea Cakes funeral was huge for an African American funeral and much larger than Joe Starks.
Everyone blamed Mrs. Turner’s brother.
13. Why does Janie return to Eatonville? How does Pheoby say she has changed as a result of listening
to Janie's story? ZNH uses the word horizon twice more (191- 193); how does the word relate to the
story's theme? Explain. How would you describe Janie's outlook on life a the end of the novel? Explain.
What do you believe the future holds for her? Why?
Tea Cake is gone, She is grown up, She had no reason to stay behind, and she looked to the future with
a sense of peace. She should have a calm life now.
Afterward: "Zora Neale Hurston: 'A Negro Way of Saying'" by Henry Louis Gates, Jr. (pages 195-205).
1. What other types of writing (include titles) did ZNH produce besides novels?
4 novels 2 folk lore and 1 autobiography.
2. When was ZNH the "dominant black woman writer in the United States"?
In 1950’s at the end of the war And during the Harlem renaissance
3. Who are some contemporary black women's writers ZNH paved the way for?
Gayl Jones, Gloria Naylor
4. With regard to point of view, explain "free indirect discourse"; identify and briefly explain an
example of it in TEWWG.
5. What is Tea Cake able to do for Janie that her first two husbands couldn't?
Learned how to truly love.