Free College Essays - Setting in Their Eyes Were Watching God :: free essay writer

Importance of Setting in Their Eyes Were Watching beau grand In Zora Neale Hurstons romantic novel Their Eyes Were Watching God, cardinal settings are counterpointed to reinforce the authors theme of a explore for true love. The setting of Eatonville, Florida, where main character Janie experiences life as the mayors wife, is contrasted with the Florida Everglades, where Janie lives with Tea Cake in a much more(prenominal) relaxed atmosphere.Hurston describes Eatonville not in a negative way, but more as a place that is not beneficial to an independent woman alike(p) Janie. Janie Starks, the wife of the mayor, is sentenced to spend her days as a employmenter in the town store, blur tied up, and silent. She must deal with m iodiney and figures without existence able to enjoy the lying sessions on the porch, or attending much(prenominal) impressive town events like the muleogy. To the reader, Eatonville represents all that is repressive in life. Janies nature is restricted not by the town itself, but by her status in the town.Contrasted with Eatonville is the Everglades or the gook. The muck is where Janie can be free. Her hair is allowed to hang down, and she can dance, sing, talk, and socialize with everyone from the Indians to the landowners. The muck is where Janie lives with Tea Cake, her true love, her bee. The muck symbolizes freedom and a relief from oppression that was experienced by Janie. The contrast of these two places reinforces the theme of a search for love and fulfillment. To see what an ideal situation for an independent woman like would be, Hurston must first record the reader what Janie cannot deal with. Hurston has her character Janie go on a quest, one that was begun the day she was forced to marry Logan Killucks. The contrast in the setting is uniform to one between good and evil.Janies life with Joe fulfilled a need -- she had no financial worries and was more than set for life. She had a pleasing white home, a neat lawn an d garden, a successful husband, and lots of cash. Everything was clean, close to too clean. A sense of restraint is present in this setting, and this relates to the work as a whole due to the fact that this is the epitome of sorrow for Janie.The muck, however, is filthy. The rich soil covers everything in sight, even the bare skin of its inhabitants.