1. Their Eyes were watching god
(so far)

2. Narration/Voice
Why does the author choose to write the story from this POV?
The story is about Janie finding her own voice, so writing the novel from her own voice of a big flashback adds to the idea that Janie does find her voice and herself in the end.
If written from another’s POV the reader would not get the small glimpses into Janie’s mind/thoughts

3. Women in the novel How are women portrayed so far?
Women are not seen as strong or independent (yet)
Janie has relied on others the entire story (Nanny, Logan, Joe)
“[he] ain’t done took and beat mah baby already!” (page 22)
key word: already  this show hitting women was not only okay, but inevitable ina marriage
No mention of women having any sort of job other than in the home

4. Janie- Then vs. now
How is Janie portrayed in chapter 1 compared to her in the flashback?
At the beginning she is seen as strong, independent and different
She came back into town alone, hair down, and wearing overalls
In the flashback she is seen as young, naïve, hopeless, and reliant on others
She leans on men, and lets them treat her poorly
Young Janie never shows any hint of having dreams, wanting a job, or anything in life

5. Love/relationships vs. independence
What does the book say about relationships vs. independence?
So far the book shows that women cannot have love AND independence
-Janie is not independent, or in love, but she is in relationships the entire book
She follows men, not her own goals
-Does she have goals?

6. Racism What racism have we seen in the book so far?
Nanny was a slave, being treated viciously
Multiple times it is mentioned that Janie was ’raised by the white folks’
Janie was picked on in school because of her skin color
Terms such as ‘colored’ and use of the N-word

7. Religion What role has religion played so far?
Nanny is the only religious character, and she died
Janie does not appear to be religious at all, making it seem like Janie is not only lost emotionally, mentally and physically, but also spiritually.

8. symbols Janie’s hair Symbolizes her strength, independence and beauty
Her hair is tied up most of the time while she is married, symbolizing that she is trapped and uptight; unable to be herself
Her hair is let down and loose in chapter 1 when she walks back into town alone, and when she meets Joe for the first time. She makes her own decision to follow Joe, her hair falls down to show that in this instance she is being strong, and going after what she wants.

9. symbols The pear tree Symbolizes Janie’s sexual awakening
The pear tree, in bloom, serves as a symbol to show how Janie is “blooming” herself.
Mentioning on the ‘birds and the bees’ throughout this scene
Mentioning of pollen, a golden haze etc. shows how Janie is seeing the world in a new way
Page 11

10. Opening paragraphs
What does the two first paragraphs of the book say about gender roles?
Men live their lives chasing their far off dreams. Some attain them, some do not.
Women must be realistic. Women must work hard, and have the strength to not think about meaningless or inconsequential things.
Mentions the “horizon” which is repeated many times throughout the book, adding a tone of desperation to the novel, because things always seem out of reach

11. Graphic organizer
Take 3 sheets of colored paper.
Place them about an inch below each other, then fold them
Label each tab
Their Eyes Were Watching God
Chapters 1-4
Setting
Vocab
Conflict
Character
Summaries