First of all, I would like to apologize for posting so late into the summer. Hectic schedules have allowed me to finish reading, but to not get to a computer very often.
I'm also surprised to see no one else was interested in reading this novel. I originally picked it up because my brother had to read it for his honors class two years ago. I must say, though, that I was intrigued and captured by it after only reading the first chapter.
The book was originally published in 1937, so there is a peculiarity in Hurston's phrasing. Such as, on page 177: "Hush yo' mouf! And she down heah on de muck lak anybody else!" The story is still very easy to follow, though.
Janie, the main character, has just arrived home from a trip. She's noticeably pretty, and the "porch sitters" watch as she walks by. She runs into her friend Pheoby and begins to tell her about her life. Janie received her first kiss when she's 16 years old, and her mother, "Nanny," decides it is time for her to get married. Janie ends up marrying Logan on her mom's wishes, but she doesn't enjoy it. One day in the garden, Janie meets a man named Jody who asks her to marry him and move to the city with him. When Logan threatens to kill her the next day, she runs off to meet him. They're married by sundown. As it turns out, this marriage isn't any better.
The main theme in the novel is about finding yourself. Eventually Janie does. I can somewhat relate Janie to me. She has big goals, and she didn't let a little heartache stand in her way.
Another thing I really appreciated about this novel was Hurston's reoccurring simile of love to lying under a pear tree. It was deep and thought provoking. Many people view love different ways. The pear tree was like perfect, unspoiled nature which was what Janie wanted in a relationship.
Since Hurston was an African American author writing around the time of slavery and unequal rights, most people believe racism must be a big part of the book. It actually isn't. There are actually two instances where race is used ironically. In chapter 16, Mrs. Turner is a black woman who is racist against blacks. And in chapter 19, Janie's black friends are rude to her while a white woman comforts her. I'm glad Hurston uses racism in this book sparingly and more as an environmental factor.
Amanda, I didn't read this book over the summer, but I did get the chance to read it last year for an analysis paper. I'm also disappointed to see that no one else read it.
I also love how Janie is such a strong female character. It was truely inspiring. I also want to draw your attention to the references to her hair. Throughout the novel, even in the very beginning it talks about how she started by wearing her hair up, but ended wearing it down. I believe her hair was a sign of both happiness and independence. I wish I could make direct references, but I don't have the book anymore.
The hair was definitely a strong symbol, and I'm glad you pointed that out. But while Janie was strong, she wasn't always necessarily smart. I'm very happy someone besides me has read the book and liked it. :)
Yea, I can definitley see how she wasn't necessarily smart all the time. I also think that she learned from some of her mistakes though, and truthfully, I think all of us have a little bit of janie in us.
First of all, I would like to apologize for posting so late into the summer. Hectic schedules have allowed me to finish reading, but to not get to a computer very often.
ReplyDeleteI'm also surprised to see no one else was interested in reading this novel. I originally picked it up because my brother had to read it for his honors class two years ago. I must say, though, that I was intrigued and captured by it after only reading the first chapter.
The book was originally published in 1937, so there is a peculiarity in Hurston's phrasing. Such as, on page 177: "Hush yo' mouf! And she down heah on de muck lak anybody else!" The story is still very easy to follow, though.
Janie, the main character, has just arrived home from a trip. She's noticeably pretty, and the "porch sitters" watch as she walks by. She runs into her friend Pheoby and begins to tell her about her life. Janie received her first kiss when she's 16 years old, and her mother, "Nanny," decides it is time for her to get married. Janie ends up marrying Logan on her mom's wishes, but she doesn't enjoy it. One day in the garden, Janie meets a man named Jody who asks her to marry him and move to the city with him. When Logan threatens to kill her the next day, she runs off to meet him. They're married by sundown. As it turns out, this marriage isn't any better.
The main theme in the novel is about finding yourself. Eventually Janie does. I can somewhat relate Janie to me. She has big goals, and she didn't let a little heartache stand in her way.
Another thing I really appreciated about this novel was Hurston's reoccurring simile of love to lying under a pear tree. It was deep and thought provoking. Many people view love different ways. The pear tree was like perfect, unspoiled nature which was what Janie wanted in a relationship.
ReplyDeleteSince Hurston was an African American author writing around the time of slavery and unequal rights, most people believe racism must be a big part of the book. It actually isn't. There are actually two instances where race is used ironically. In chapter 16, Mrs. Turner is a black woman who is racist against blacks. And in chapter 19, Janie's black friends are rude to her while a white woman comforts her. I'm glad Hurston uses racism in this book sparingly and more as an environmental factor.
ReplyDeleteAmanda, I didn't read this book over the summer, but I did get the chance to read it last year for an analysis paper. I'm also disappointed to see that no one else read it.
ReplyDeleteI also love how Janie is such a strong female character. It was truely inspiring. I also want to draw your attention to the references to her hair. Throughout the novel, even in the very beginning it talks about how she started by wearing her hair up, but ended wearing it down. I believe her hair was a sign of both happiness and independence. I wish I could make direct references, but I don't have the book anymore.
The hair was definitely a strong symbol, and I'm glad you pointed that out. But while Janie was strong, she wasn't always necessarily smart. I'm very happy someone besides me has read the book and liked it. :)
ReplyDeleteYea, I can definitley see how she wasn't necessarily smart all the time. I also think that she learned from some of her mistakes though, and truthfully, I think all of us have a little bit of janie in us.
ReplyDelete