1. Their Eyes were watching god
Standards focus: figurative language

2. Figurative language
In order to enhance a piece of literature, writers will often use figurative language, or figures of speech.
Figures of speech-language that communicates ideas beyond the literal meaning of words.
There are many types of figures of speech: allegory, irony, hyperbole, etc. For the purpose of this exercise, we will focus on three types of figures of speech.
Metaphor-a comparison between two seemingly unlike things
Simile-a comparison of things of using like or as
Personification-giving human qualities or characteristics to inhuman objects

3. Activity 1
For each of the examples, indicate which figure of speech is being is used, then analyze the example to find the meaning. EX: “Janie saw her life like a great tree in leaf with the things suffered” Figure of Speech: simile Analysis: The author is comparing Janie’s life to a blooming tree. Like the tree which is growing new leaves, Janie is also growing, learning more, and discovering who she is as a woman.

4. Activity 1
For each of the examples, indicate which figure of speech is being is used, then analyze the example to find the meaning
“The rose of the world was breathing out smell. It followed her through all her waking moments and caressed her in her sleep”
“The panting breath of the breeze”
“Nanny’s head and face looked like the standing roots of some old tree that had been torn away by storm”
“Nanny’s words made Janie’s kiss across the gatepost seem like a manure pile after a rain”
“Put me down easy, Janie, Ah’m a cracked plate”

5. Their Eyes Were Watching God
Standards Focus: Conflict

6. Conflict
Conflict is a literary term indicating the struggle between two or more opposing forces.
There are several types of conflict in literature.

7. Man vs. man
Struggle between two or more characters

8. Man vs. himself
Struggle between a character and his conscience, morals, or physical limitations.

9. Man vs. nature
Struggle between a character and a force of nature such as weather or the environment.

10. Man vs. society
Struggle between a character and the rules, beliefs, or pressures of a society or community.

11. Man vs. fate
Struggle between a character and the “forces” of the universe, such as God, destiny, or chance happenings.

12. External conflicts Man vs. man Man vs. nature Man vs. society
Man vs. fate

13. Internal conflict
Man vs. himself