Question

in the novel " their eyes were watching god"

does the novel bring out women as equals of men in every aspect of live?

their eyes were watching god by zora neale hurston.

Answer 1

The novel " Their Eyes were Watching God " 1937 is a story of Janie Crawford and her search of true love and how in her three marriages, she  learn about life and how she grows from each of her relationships .Her life lessons shows love , mislove , power and domination of men , inequality and discriminations . The novel is classified as feminist novel and considered as a classic of Harlem Renaissance.It is a story of a women and as the novel unfolds it shows struggle and battle of Janie in the direction of her dream and her 3 marriages.

1. The female counterpart are portrayed as good little wives who are not allowed to speak up or disrespect their men. They could only acquire power by marrying powerful and richmen .

2. Women's actions are limited with notions of propriety and insults on their sexuality and appearance and if they show any male behaviorism . They are viewed as extra masculine and ugly.

3. On the other side ,men are expected to prove their masculinity by controlling their women , companion and putting them in the right direction. They are expected to take control and prove their masculinity to peers by showing their wives who is the real boss.

Although,in the novel , Hurston also shows the character of Tea Cake , Janie's third husband as a person who takes a different approach to the masculinity perception. Tea Cake , represent the decent carefree side of men and he believes more in gender equality. He later proves his love for Janie by working hard and making sacrifices.

Finally , Tea Cake portrays good side of men who appreciates their wife value and encourage her to be herself. Thus , this novel reveals the status of men and women in the society where women are not treated equal to men, and have to struggle whole life.