The Use of Symbolism in Their Eyes Were Watching God

A detailed Summary of The Use of Symbolism in Their Eyes Were Watching God

How symbolism is used in Their Eyes Were Watching God

Zora Neale Hurston uses symbolism to enhance characterization in her novel, Their Eyes Were Watching God, and symbolism is portrayed through the heroine of the novel, Janie Crawford. Three uses of symbolism are through Janie's hair, the store porch, and the pear tree. The way Janie wears her hair expresses her level of freedom. The male characters of Eatonville gather outside on the store porch to converse and socialize. The pear tree expresses Janie's emotional state. Furthermore, symbolism plays a significant role in the novel by being expressed through the characters.

Janie's hair symbolizes her freedom. When she wears her hair up, she is being controlled, and yet when Janie wear her hair down, she is no longer under the dictatorship of Joe Starks. "This business of the head-rag irked her end

The pear tree symbolizes Janie's sexuality and emotional state. When Janie is being loved and/or is in a happy and joyful mood, the tree blossoms within her. When she is being abused and is unhappy, the tree inside of her begins to wither. Hurston writes, "The vision of Logan Killicks was desecrating the pear tree" (13). The pear tree symbolizes how Janie is feeling on the inside, the pear tree is she. Whether the pear tree is blossoming from happiness or withering from sorrow, the tree reflects Janie's emotions. This enhances Janie's character by showing that she can have a world of her own on the inside, and not let it be revealed on the outside. Hurston states, "It called her to come and gaze on a mystery...oh to be a pear tree- any tree in bloom" (10-11)! According to literary Critic, Cynthia Bond, "Janie internalizes the image of the pear tree, using

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Approximate Word count = 582
Approximate Pages = 2 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Miscellaneous

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The Use of Symbolism in Their Eyes Were Watching God

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