resemblance's and discrepancies. For example, Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora

Neale Hurston and The Awakening by Kate Chopin, both express the struggle of a

woman's emancipation from everyday societal challenges. Both authors firmly suggest

examples of how two women coming from contrasting cultures can harbor the same

intrigue and fascinations. Although in different time periods both works convey similar

messages. Hurston places her main character in a predominantly segregated time period

while Chopin chooses a more eloquent period of American luxury and aristocratic

fashion. The story of how temptations, lifestyles, and influences upon women cause their

true personalities and devotions to arise and corrupt their normal existence is clearly

Both works represent how little influence women have over their own lives.

However, other aspects of their lives can completely take control of their surroundings.

Men, for example, dominate the lives of both women. The Awakening has Edna

Pontellier, well-to-do wife of Leonce Pontellier leading a peaceful but restless life while

vacationing at the beach. She soon

her need for thought and identity. However, her current marital situation prevents her

grandmother, which showed her lack of identity because she did as she was told. The

On the other hand, the upper class of a predominantly black area during the late

well. Such as, Adele Ratignolle, who was the living example of what the "perfect

Edna both attempt to break away from their marriage and it's hindrances.

Their Eyes Were Watching God has Janie as the protagonist leading a planned

The traditional upper middle class society of the 19th century enjoyed lavish and

for TeaCake. Joe would seldom ever let her speak in front of a crowd, or anybody for

Some common words found in the essay are:
Kate Chopin, Sparks Janie, Adele Ratignolle, Madame Ratignolle, Edna Janie, TeaCake Joe, Joe Sparks, Robert Lebrun, Edna Robert, God Janie, joe sparks, children edna, eyes watching, upper middle, upper middle class, middle class, watching god, eyes watching god,
Approximate Word count = 1108
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)