Plot Synopsis by Ivy Fahs

Their Eyes Were Watching God tells the story of an African-American woman named Janie’s quest to reach her horizon. The story begins with Janie returning to the town of Eatonville, where she tells her curious friend Phoebe her life story.  This fills the body of the book.  When Janie is young, she had a life directing experience beneath a pear tree. There she first realizes her desires and dreams for life. However, her Grandmother assures her that prosperity and protection should be the main aims in life, rather than fulfilling dreams. Because of this, Janie marries a man named Logan, whom her grandmother chooses.

Janie soon discovers that their marriage does not have love, a quality she had dreamed of having under the pear tree. She eventually leaves Logan to marry Joe, a man who claims that he will treat her like a princess. He keeps his promise, showering her with beautiful things and giving her a high position in society in the town of Eatonville. Yet he also constantly controls her, causing their marriage to lack the freedom and comradeship that Janie desires in a relationship. She says nothing for many years, but eventually confronts Joe in front of his peers, destroying his reputation and losing his trust.  Though repentant, Janie confronts Joe a second time when he is on his deathbed, and he dies while she tells him of his wrongs.

After Joe’s death, Janie relishes the freedom that she experiences for the first time. Eventually, she meets and falls in love with a man named Tea Cake, and she decides to leave Eatonville to marry him.  In Tea Cake Janie finds the nurturing, caring relationship that she had dreamed of having as a girl.  They marry and move to the Everglades, were their relationship continues to grow as they build a life together.

However, Janie and Tea Cake are forced to flee their home when faced by a terrible hurricane. During their escape, Tea Cake is bit by a rabid dog while attempting to protect Janie, and he eventually develops hydrophobia. Janie tries desperately to help him, but he goes mad before anything can be done. In a moment of insanity, Tea Cake draws a gun on Janie and she is forced to kill him in order to save her own life. Janie is later acquitted of her crime by a white jury.  No longer having Tea Cake, Janie returns to Eatonville and the story resumes where it had begun.  Later that night, after talking to Phoebe, Janie thinks back over her experiences and realizes that, with Tea Cake’s help, she has reached her horizon.  Having fulfiller her dreams, she is at peace.

Soundtrack by Morgan Geer

1.  “You Can’t Always Get What You Want”  by The Rolling Stones

a.       Janie is growing up.  Her grandma wants her to be married to someone who will take good care of her, but Janie has a different idea.  She want to marry a man for love not just security.  To follow her grandma’s wishes Janie marries Logan Killicks.  As the song says you can’t always get what you want, but you get what you need.  This is exactly Janie’s situation.

b.      Link to song:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIX0ZDqDljA

c.       Lyrics

                                                              i.      I saw her today at a reception
A glass of wine in her hand
I knew she would meet her connection
At her feet was her footloose man

No, you can't always get what you want
You can't always get what you want
You can't always get what you want
And if you try sometime you find
You get what you need

I saw her today at the reception
A glass of wine in her hand
I knew she was gonna meet her connection
At her feet was her footloose man

You can't always get what you want
You can't always get what you want
You can't always get what you want
But if you try sometimes you might find
You get what you need

Oh yeah, hey hey hey, oh...

And I went down to the demonstration
To get my fair share of abuse
Singing, "We're gonna vent our frustration
If we don't we're gonna blow a 50-amp fuse"
Sing it to me now...

You can't always get what you want
You can't always get what you want
You can't always get what you want
But if you try sometimes well you just might find
You get what you need
Oh baby, yeah, yeah!

I went down to the Chelsea drugstore
To get your prescription filled
I was standing in line with Mr. Jimmy
And man, did he look pretty ill
We decided that we would have a soda
My favorite flavor, cherry red
I sung my song to Mr. Jimmy
Yeah, and he said one word to me, and that was "dead"
I said to him

You can't always get what you want, no!
You can't always get what you want (tell ya baby)
You can't always get what you want (no)
But if you try sometimes you just might find
You get what you need
Oh yes! Woo!

You get what you need--yeah, oh baby!
Oh yeah!

I saw her today at the reception
In her glass was a bleeding man
She was practiced at the art of deception
Well I could tell by her blood-stained hands

You can't always get what you want
You can't always get what you want
You can't always get what you want
But if you try sometimes you just might find
You just might find
You get what you need

You can't always get what you want (no, no baby)
You can't always get what you want
You can't always get what you want
But if you try sometimes you just might find
You just might find
You get what you need, ah yes...


2. Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” by U2

a.       Janie grows discontent with just being secure.  She longs for love and when she meets Joe Starks, she immediately sees him as her way out.  After she runs off with Joe, she realizes though that she still hasn’t found what she’s looking for, as the song says.

b.      Song link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnD6ojjA0OA

c.       Lyrics  -

I have climbed highest mountain
I have run through the fields
Only to be with you
Only to be with you

I have run
I have crawled
I have scaled these city walls
These city walls
Only to be with you

But I still haven't found what I'm looking for
But I still haven't found what I'm looking for

I have kissed honey lips
Felt the healing in her fingertips
It burned like fire
This burning desire

I have spoke with the tongue of angels
I have held the hand of a devil
It was warm in the night
I was cold as a stone

But I still haven't found what I'm looking for
But I still haven't found what I'm looking for

I believe in the kingdom come
Then all the colors will bleed into one
Bleed into one
Well yes I'm still running

You broke the bonds and you
Loosed the chains
Carried the cross
Of my shame
Of my shame
You know I believed it

But I still haven't found what I'm looking for
But I still haven't found what I'm looking for
But I still haven't found what I'm looking for
But I still haven't found what I'm looking for...

3.      “The Work Song” by Paul Smith

a.       Once Janie settles down with Joe in Eatonville, Florida, she realizes being the mayor’s wife isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.  She works at the store a lot without being appreciated by anybody and she works around the house, but to no avail of satisfying her new husband.  She works as hard as Cinderella.  Although Janie doesn’t have talking mice as friends, I think the song is pretty fitting for Janie’s situation.

b.      Song link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDF2_VaO3Ss

c.       Lyrics:

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[Jack:]
Every time she'd find a minute
That's the time that they begin it
Cinderelly, Cinderelly

[Stepsisters:] Cinderella!

[Jack:]
Cinderelly, Cinderelly
Night and day it's Cinderelly
Make the fire, fix the breakfast
Wash the dishes, do the mopping

[Girl mice:]
And the sweeping and the dusting
They always keep her hopping

[Jack:]
She goes around in circles
Till she's very, very dizzy
Still they holler

[Girl mice:]
Keep a-busy Cinderelly!
We can do it, we can do it
We can help our Cinderelly
We can make her dress so pretty
There's nothing to it, really
We'll tie a sash around it
Put a ribbon through it
When dancing at the ball
She'll be more beautiful than all
In the lovely dress we'll make for Cinderelly

Hurry, hurry, hurry, hurry
Gonna help our Cinderelly
Got no time to dilly-dally
We gotta get a-goin'

[Gus:]
I'll cut with these scissors!

[Jack:]
And I can do the sewing!

[Girl Mouse:]
Leave the sewing to the women
You go get some trimmin'
And we'll make a lovely dress for
Cinderelly!

[Girl mice and Gus:]
We'll make a lovely dress for
Cinderelly!

4.      “Someday My Prince Will Come” by Leigh Harline

a.       Janie realizes she is not happy with Joe either.  He just uses her for show and she doesn’t really love him.  She longs for her prince to come and sweep her off her feet. 

b.      Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjIssqHQJ6o

c.       Lyrics:

                                                              i.      Someday my prince will come
Someday we'll meet again
And away to his castle we'll go
To be happy forever I know

Someday when spring is here
We'll find our love anew
And the birds will sing
And wedding bells will ring
Someday when my dreams come true

5.      “Freedom” by Paul McCartney

a.       When Joe dies of kidney failure, Janie finds that she isn’t as sad as everyone thinks she should be.  In fact, she feels free, like a weight has been lifted off her shoulders.  She likes the independence she now has and like the song says, she will fight for the right to live in freedom. 

b.      Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7zBYWz0uH4

c.       Lyrics:

                                                              i.      This is my right, a right given by God
To live a free life, to live in freedom

We talkin’ about freedom
Talkin’ bout freedom
I will fight, for the right
To live in freedom

Anyone, who wants to take it away
Will have to answer, cause this is my right

We talkin’ about freedom
Talkin’ bout freedom
I will fight, for the right
To live in freedom, ah yeah, comon now...

(lead solo)

You talkin’ about freedom
Were talkin’ bout freedom
I will fight, for the right
To live in freedom

Everybody talkin’ bout freedom
Talkin’ bout freedom
I will fight, for the right
To live in free----------dom
 

6.      “Power to the Meek” by Eurythmics

a.       Janie has been in a power all her life.  She likes her independence and doesn’t want anyone to take that from her.  First it was with her grandma, then Logan, then Joe.  She finally found what she was looking for in Tea Cake.  This song fits Janie’s struggle for independence when it says “Power to the meek/Power to speak/I got the power/Within me.”

b.      Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNDhvregsM8

c.       Lyrics:

                                                              i.      I’m just a girl
With my head screwed on
I’m just a girl
With a smoking gun

I got my fingers stung
My fingers stung yeah
I’m just a girl
With my fingers stung

Bless these bones
Bless this skin
All of me
And the mess I’m in

Yea the mess I’m in
But I don’t care
Don’t know where I’ve been
But I’ll get me there

I’m alive
Yea and it’s alright
I’m alive
Yea and it’s alright

Power to the meek
Power to speak
I got the power
Within me
Yea yea

Power to the shine
In my worn out shoes
Power to me
Power to you

Bless this head
Bless this hair
Bless me to the dirt
In my fingernails yea

Bless this day
Bless this night
Give me something good
Make me feel alright

I’m alive
Yea and it’s alright
I’m alive
Yea and it’s alright

I’m alive
Yea and it’s alright
I’m alive
Yea and it’s alright
It’s alright

Power to the meek
Power to speak
I got the power
Within me
Power to the shine
In my worn out shoes
Yea
Power to me
Power to you

7.      “How He Loves” by the David Crowder Band

a.       Just as the hurricane starts raging, Janie turns her eyes to God.  She relies on him instead of herself to get her and Tea Cake to safety.  God is like a hurricane and we need to bend to in His love. 

b.      Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCunuL58odQ

c.       Lyrics:

                                                              i.      He is jealous for me,
Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree,
Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy.
When all of a sudden,
I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory,
And I realize just how beautiful You are,
And how great Your affections are for me.

And oh, how He loves us so,
Oh how He loves us,
How He loves us so

Yeah, He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves.
Yeah, He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves.

We are His portion and He is our prize,
Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes,
If grace is an ocean, we’re all sinking.
So Heaven meets earth like an unforeseen kiss,
And my heart turns violently inside of my chest,
I don’t have time to maintain these regrets,
When I think about, the way…

He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves.
Yeah, He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves.

8.      “Jesus, Take the Wheel” by Carrie Underwood

a.       Janie cries out to God in her desperation during the hurricane.  She realizes that they won’t escape the hurricane without God’s help. 

b.      Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8-YO6g05aA

c.       Lyrics:

                                                              i.      She was driving last Friday on her way to Cincinnati
On a snow white Christmas Eve
Going home to see her Mama and her Daddy
With the baby in the backseat

Fifty miles to go and she was running low
On faith and gasoline
It'd been a long hard year

She had a lot on her mind and she didn't pay attention
She was going way too fast
Before she knew it she was spinning
On a thin black sheet of glass

She saw both their lives flash before her eyes
She didn't even have time to cry
She was so scared
She threw her hands up in the air

Jesus, take the wheel
Take it from my hands
?Cause I can't do this on my own

I'm letting go
So give me one more chance
To save me from this road I'm on
Jesus, take the wheel

It was still getting colder when she made it to the shoulder
{ From: http://www.elyrics.net/read/c/carrie-underwood-lyrics/jesus-take-the-wheel-lyrics.html }
And the car came to a stop
She cried when she saw that baby in the backseat
Sleeping like a rock

And for the first time in a long time
She bowed her head to pray
She said I'm sorry for the way
I've been living my life

I know I've got to change
So from now on tonight

Jesus, take the wheel
Take it from my hands
?Cause I can't do this on my own

I'm letting go
So give me one more chance
To save me from this road I'm on

Oh Jesus, take the wheel
Oh, I'm letting go

So give me one more chance
Save me from this road I'm on
From this road I'm on
Jesus, take the wheel
Oh, take it, take it from me
Oh, why, ooh

9.      “Impossible” by the Newsboys

a.       Janie realizes with God all things are possible.  Another good song illustrating Janie’s need for God to help them during the hurricane.

b.      Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilhJMXdfGWI

c.       Lyrics: 

                                                              i.      I can't see myself without You
With You I get strength to do things I've never ever dreamt in a million years
I'm unstoppable 'cause You're here with me
Unbelievable how I can believe how powerful You've caused me to be, yeah

See only You got me flying with eagles, walking on water
With You I can do the impossible
Jump over mountains with one single bound
I've found out I can do the impossible
Do the impossible

No other soul could have saved me
I feel You in every heartbeat
You're incredible, invincible - so easy to see You've strengthened me
I'm out of this world, oh yeah, now that I'm with You
I'm unbreakable, there ain't no way I can lose

See only You got me flying with eagles, walking on water
With You I can do the impossible
Jump over mountains with one single bound
I've found out I can do the impossible
Do the impossible

'Cause heaven is at the end of this road
Me and You, now I know I'm not alone
You're pierced in my heart, You're not just in my head
This is what makes You the best

See only You got me flying with eagles, walking on water
With You I can do the impossible
Jump over mountains with one single bound
I've found out I can do the impossible
Do the impossible

No other soul could have saved me
I feel You in every heartbeat

10.  “Hero” by Skillet

a.       Janie needs a hero to ensure her and Tea Cake’s survival of the hurricane.  They struggle to get to higher ground.  Their eyes really were watching God on that day.

b.      Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGcsIdGOuZY

c.       Lyrics:

                                                              i.      I'm just a step away
I'm just a breath away
Losing my faith today
Falling off the edge today

I am just a man
Not superhuman
I'm not superhuman
Someone save me from the hate

It's just another war
Just another family torn
Falling from my faith today
Just a step from the edge
Just another day in the world we live

I need a hero to save me now
I need a hero, save me now
I need a hero to save my life
A hero will save me just in time

I've gotta fight today
To live another day
Speaking my mind today
My voice will be heard today

I've gotta make a stand
But I am just a man
I'm not superhuman
My voice will be heard today

It's just another war
Just another family torn
My voice will be heard today
It's just another kill
The countdown begins to destroy ourselves

I need a hero to save me now
I need a hero, save me now
I need a hero to save my life
A hero will save me just in time
[ From: http://www.elyrics.net/read/s/skillet-lyrics/hero-lyrics.html ]

I need a hero to save my life
I need a hero, just in time
Save me just in time
Save me just in time

Who's gonna fight for what's right?
Who's gonna help us survive?
We're in the fight of our lives
And we're not ready to die

Who's gonna fight for the weak?
Who's gonna make 'em believe?
I've got a hero, I've got a hero
Living in me

I'm gonna fight for what's right
Today I'm speaking my mind
And if it kills me tonight
I will be ready to die

A hero's not afraid to give his life
A hero's gonna save me just in time

I need a hero to save me now
I need a hero, save me now
I need a hero to save my life
A hero will save me just in time

(I need a hero)
Who's gonna fight for what's right?
Who's gonna help us survive?

(I need a hero)
Who's gonna fight for the weak?
Who's gonna make 'em believe?
I've got a hero

I need a hero
A hero's gonna save me just in time

11.  “Walking Her Home” by Mark Schultz

a.       Janie learns from the doctor that Tea Cake is going to die from rabies.  There’s nothing the doctor can do.  This song really captures the emotion of this part in the book. 

b.      Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ODSx0UfAcA

c.       Lyrics:

                                                              i.      Looking back
He sees it all
It was her first date the night he came to call

Her dad said son
Have her home on time
And promise me you'll never leave her side
He took her to a show in town
And he was ten feet off the ground

(Chorus)
He was walking her home
And holding her hand
Oh the way she smiled it stole the breath right out of him
Down that old road
With the stars up above
He remembers where he was the night he fell in love
He was walking her home

Ten more years and a waiting room
At half past one
And the doctor said come in and meet your son

His knees went weak
When he saw his wife
She was smiling as she said he's got your eyes

And as she slept he held her tight
His mind went back to that first night

(Chorus)

He walked her through the best days of her life
Sixty years together and he never left her side

A nursing home
At eighty-five
And the doctor said it could be her last night
And the nurse said Oh
Should we tell him now
Or should he wait until the morning to find out

When they checked her room that night
He was laying by her side

Oh he was walking her home
And holding her hand
Oh the way she smiled when he said this is not the end
And just for a while they were eighteen
And she was still more beautiful to him than anything
He was walking her home
He was walking her home

Looking back
He sees it all
It was her first date the night he came to call

12.  “My Heart Will Go On” by Celin Dion

a.       Tea Cake dies when Janie had to shoot him in self defense.  Although Janie is devastated by what happened she knows his heart does goes on.  She will remember him forever and he’ll be with her always. 

b.      Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmYjoHi21vo&feature=related

c.       Lyrics:

                                                              i.      Every night in my dreams

I see you, I feel you,

That is how I know you, go on

Far across the distance

And spaces between us

You have come to show you, go on

Near, far, wherever you are

I believe that the heart does go on

Once more you open the door

And you’re here in my heart

And my heart will go on and on

Love can touch us one time

And last for a lifetime

And let go ‘til we’re gone

Love was when I loved you

One true time I hold to

In my life we’ll always go on

Near, far, wherever you are

I believe that the heart does go on

Once more you open the door

And you’re here in my heart

And my heart will go on and on

You’re here, there’s nothing I fear,

And I know that my heart will go on

We’ll star forever this way

You are safe in my heart

And my heart will go on and on

Journey to the Horizon by Ivy Fahs

Ivy Fahs

5/1/2011

Journey to the Horizon

A Feminist Review of Hurston’s Their Eyes Were Watching God

Their Eyes Were Watching God tells the story of a woman’s soul, a soul that gazes at the distant horizon and stretches towards independence. In recounting Janie’s story, the book paints her journey along life’s path with both pain and the joy.  It tells of Janie’s desire to be herself unhampered by others’ expectations or a husband’s will. This work of Zora Neal Hurston is truly a compelling tale, voicing the fulfillment brought to one woman’s life when she discovers the courage to live out the dreams deep within her heart.

            The main portion of the book is structured from the point of view of Janie, a middle-aged black woman, as she recounts her life experiences to her friend Phoebe after returning home. The story follows Janie through two unhappy marriages and a final third marriage to a man she loves. The book’s primary conflict is Janie’s desire to follow her dreams, and reach “her horizon” (Hurston, 192), in a life where she is expected to obey her husband and follow the rules that society mandates. Slowly, Janie is able to overcome this conflict and find peace by embracing an independence that enables her to overcome all circumstances.

There are a number of symbols that Hurston uses throughout the book to describe different aspects of Janie’s character and life. The first is that of a flowering pear tree. It is a reminder of an experience that occurs early in the story, where Janie realizes what characteristics she desires to have in her life and her relationships.  The pear tree stands for the ideals of Janie’s life, and she reacts to different romantic relationships in her life based on these previous beliefs about what a relationship should be.

            Janie’s beautiful, waist-length hair is also used as a symbol in the book, displaying her power over the men around her.  The main theme in the book is the conflict between male dominance and female suppression, as seen in Janie’s marriages.  In her first marriage, her husband Logan does not love her, but rather wants her to work on his farm. Janie is unhappy with their relationship and runs away to marry a different man, named Joe.  She soon discovers that while Joe showers her with beautiful things, he also verbally abuses her and demands that she submit to him.  Janie rebels against such suppression, as demonstrated by her concluding refusal to wear her hair covered. Instead, she wears it in a long braid down her back, showing that she can control men through her beauty and appeal.

At the book’s climax, a hurricane forces Janie and her third husband, Tea Cake, to run for their lives.  The storm serves as a symbol of the pain and trouble in life that Janie must overcome.  The title of the book comes from this scene, and the line, “They stared into the darkness, but their eyes were watching God” (160).  The characters become aware of their own weakness when confronted with the terrible storm, and they feel that they are at the mercy of the forces of nature and, ultimately, God.  Though she is unable to control some circumstances in life, Janie discovers that she is able to thrive in the knowledge that she has control over herself and her own choices.

Throughout Their Eyes Were Watching God, Janie reaches towards her elusive hopes, searching to satisfy her unspoken desires.  Naturally free-spirited and a lover of beauty, Janie struggles with the role she has been forced to play in life.  But she remains true to the ideals she discovered under the pear tree, and she is empowered by her own femininity and her ability to succeed despite life circumstances she cannot control.  Since she has seized her independence, Janie is able to live happily without even her greatest desires.   When her tale is at last told, she has drawn her horizon in, having achieved her independence and “draped it over her shoulder” (193): a triumphant banner proclaiming the fulfillment of a woman’s soul.

Works Cited

Hurston, Zora N. Their Eyes Were Watching God. New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 2006. Print.

Christian Worldview and Janie's Worldview

Kent Svenson