Their Eyes Were Watching God, by Zora Neale Hurston, is a classic novel depicting the struggle of a young African-American woman throughout her life. Hurston portrays Janie, the main character of the novel, as a confused woman trying to find love in her life. In her search of love and happiness, Janie journeys through three husbands, two of which she finds little joy but rather grief and anguish. In her quest for gratification, the people around her and the people she meets along the way affect Janie. The secondary characters in the novel like Janie's grandmother, Logan Killicks, Joe Starks, and Tea Cake influence Janie's thoughts on the world and control her happiness as well as sorrow.

Nanny is the first person that sets off Janie's adventure and affects her life. Nanny, Janie's grandmother, is a former slave who works for a white family; she becomes the mother figure for Janie. Throughout Nanny's life, she has worked very hard and tiresome to barely achieve a somewhat decent life. Nanny sets low, limited hopes for Janie and wants Janie to marry Logan Killicks for protection and wealth rather than love. Janie has no feelings for Killicks, but Nanny says, " Tain't Logan Killicks Ah want

s you to have, baby, it's protection." (15) Nanny leads off the direction in which Janie must lead her life.

Janie goes through many changes throughout the novel including her biggest transformation, from a sad, unwilling, and depressed girl to a strong, happy, and free-spirited woman. These changes occur because of the people she meets along the way. Every time she meets a new character, her attitude about life changes and eventually her lifestyle is completely altered. Nanny, Logan Killicks, Jody Starks, and Tea Cake all play crucial roles in transforming Janie into the person she has become at the end of the novel.

Jody Starks, or Joe, Janie's second husband, is a very hard worker who becomes the mayor of a town called Eatonville. At first, Janie falls in love with him and his charismatic attitude. Joe promises a good life for Janie if she runs off with him. He sounds very convincing saying things like, "You behind a plow! You ain't got no mo' business cuttin' up no seed p'taters neither. A pretty doll-baby lak you is made to sit on de front porch and rock and fan yo'self and eat p'taters dat other folks plant just special for you." Soon, however, Janie realizes and sees Joe's stubborn, hypocritical and demeaning side. Joe gives Janie little freedom to do what she wants and is very overprotective of her. Janie has always been very quiet, but Jo

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Approximate Word count = 917
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)