Their Eyes Were Watching God

Introduction

Critical Reception of Tea Cake and Janie's Relationship in Zora Neale Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God" discusses critics' views of Janie and Tea Cake's relationship, the positive aspects, negative aspects and Tea Cake's death. Through my research of Their Eyes Were Watching God, I found that many critics, in an effort to portray the novel as a pinnacle of feminism, either glossed over or ignored Tea Cake's poor treatment of Janie (Allen, 135). My paper contrasts the writings of these critics with the writings of those who addressed the negative aspects of Janie and Tea Cake's reunion.

Discussion

Although glossing over Tea Cake's dishonesty and physical abuse of Janie is easy, it does not enhance Janie' power as a woman, as well as her power as a strong human being, able to overcome obstacles. Furthermore, a few criticisms approached Janie and Tea Cake's relationship holistically, not separating it into "good" and "bad" or casting Tea Cake as inherently evil or entirely good(Allen, 135). Instead, these critics saw their union as a journey, with negotiations, disagreements and agreements. In other words, these critics saw Janie and Tea Cake's relationship as just that, not a symbol or overwhelming metaphor. These critics saw their union as a journey, with negotiations, disagreements and agreements (Flannery, 100).

In other words, these critics saw Janie and Tea Cake's relationship as just that, not a symbol or overwhelming metaphor. These critics' accounts are, in my opinion, the most balanced and plausible criticisms of the novel (Henry, 11). In Zora Neale Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God Janie finds her personality within the black culture through toil, tribulation and constant self-redefinition. After each relationship is over her attitude undergoes a metamorphosis, directing her towards her eventual independence (Hurston, 134). During her marriage to Killicks she is a naive young girl with romantic dreams that carry her into a disastrous marriage with Starks.

Starks is a man with an agenda-to look high classed; and beautiful, lightskinned Janie fits right into his plan (Kerouac, 34). Although her marriage with Starks is her most difficult struggle she comes through it stronger and more aware of her desires. Yet she continuously contradicts her words from her actual deeds. One example of this is during the marriage to Starks her thoughts seem to be of freedom and becoming part of the community but she continues to accept the demands of Starks and even succumbs to the beating of her third husband, Tea Cake, without a word (Mike, 24).

In addition, Janie tries to find her way in the two black communities of Eatonville and the muck but fights for their acceptance the whole time. The town of Eatonville seems jealous of Janie. The women feel resentful possibly because she is beautiful and is always being admired by the men of the town because of her physical appearance (Mike, 24). The men are embittered because her light skin makes her more "white" and therefore, they believe, more respected in other societies ...