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This is Water and Their Eyes Were Watching God

Considering our discussion, how could Wallace’s theory apply to Their Eyes Were Watching God?
In what ways could this novel specifically develop empathy and emotional intelligence, as well as contribute to the self-awareness of the reader?
Challenge yourself to make connections to Hurston’s purpose in how she crafts Janie’s journey of self-discovery “tuh de horizon and back”.


In the commencement speech "This is Water" by David Foster Wallace, he discusses the importance of an education, specifically a liberal arts degree on the everyday life of an adult. Wallace encourages his audience to be conscious, sympathetic and well-adjusted in order to attain ultimate freedom in life.  This means adjusting positively and consciously to the different circumstances of everyday life, being sympathetic towards others around us instead of falling back into our "default setting" in which negativity is the main drive.  

 In the novel "Their Eyes Were Watching God" by Zora Neale Hurston, Wallace his theory is applicable to the protagonist as the plot follows her life leading to self-discovery and freedom. She doesn't find love with her first husband who physically confines her and makes her work the farm. Then she runs away with Joe Starks, in an attempt to find love and freedom again. He however confines her emotionally and doesn't let her speak for herself. Janie lives her life with Joe by default. Subconsciously experiencing negative feelings towards her husband, the town and her life. This was further aggravated by her not sympathizing with her husband by not considering his feelings and choice of actions. Janie finally finds freedom when her last husband Tea Cake enters her life. She begins to life in the moment by consciously being alive and experiencing new things.  Furthermore the audience can relate and sympathize with Janie as the author provokes strong emotion through the use of fervent language. Even though the situations that Janie goes through isn't always relatable. 





Comments

  1. Joshua KoornneefSeptember 5, 2018 at 11:23 PM

    Strong analysis that works well with the novel. Your wording and diction were perfect, really concise and very accurate. The connection is immediately clear to the author, and works very well. If I were to add 1 thing to your blog, I would ask you to maybe explore empathy and sympathy in the novel, as I feel that you could connect these to your statement nearing the end of the post, where you comment on the powerful emotions shown by Janie.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Nicole RaghuSeptember 5, 2018 at 11:26 PM

    gr8 job shakes-pear

    ReplyDelete

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