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The pear tree, mules, checkers, the hurricane, and the horizon occur throughout Their Eyes Were Watching God. Choose one of these symbols and discuss its significance throughout the novel.
Be sure to give at least one quote or sound byte per paragraph as your data/evidence. Then, discuss how this symbol supports one or more of Hurston's themes (gender roles and relations; voice, language, and storytelling; desire, love, and independence; power, judgement, and jealousy, race and racism). Even though you will discuss theme, remember that the symbol is the central focus of your essay. You are discussing what it is Hurston wants readers to see and understand about her theme(s) through the use of symbols.
This should be a minimum of FIVE paragraphs and approximately 1500 words (3 pages). You need an introduction with a strong, arguable thesis statement, at least three body paragraphs, and a conclusion that ties together your thesis and evidence. While you may use first person, please limit it. I do not want you to say "I think" or "In my opinion" at any point in this essay. Work on sophistication.
You should use proper MLA formatting and include a Work Cited page which includes the novel and any secondary sources you may have used to support your argument.
site any sources you do use properly to
support your argument.
Title: The Significance of the Pear Tree Symbol in Their Eyes Were Watching God
Introduction:
Their Eyes Were Watching God, written by Zora Neale Hurston, is a profound novel that explores various themes, such as gender roles and relations, voice, language, storytelling, desire, love, independence, power, judgment, jealousy, race, and racism. Throughout the narrative, Hurston utilizes various symbols to convey deeper meanings and enrich the reader's understanding of these themes. One such symbol that recurs throughout the novel is the pear tree. This essay will focus on the significance of the pear tree symbol and how it supports Hurston's themes.
Body Paragraph 1: Symbolic Representation and Gender Roles and Relations
The pear tree symbolizes the blossoming of Janie's womanhood and her sexual awakening. In the beginning, Janie observes the pear tree and feels a connection, as it "had found a friend in her" (Hurston 11). This connection signifies a pivotal moment for Janie, where she begins to explore her own desires and emotions. The pear tree becomes a symbol of her budding womanhood, representing the freedom to choose her own path and pursue her desires. This aligns with the theme of gender roles and relations as Janie's journey throughout the novel challenges societal expectations and norms.
Body Paragraph 2: Symbolic Representation and Desire, Love, and Independence
The pear tree symbolizes Janie's desire for love and independence. Janie envisions herself "climbing the tree of life" (Hurston 11), suggesting her desire to rise above societal constraints and find fulfillment on her own terms. The tree's blossoms symbolize Janie's longing for love and companionship, as they represent the blossoming of her desires. Through this symbol, Hurston conveys the importance of pursuing one's desires, finding love that is reciprocal and offers mutual growth, and achieving independence in a society that often restricts women.
Body Paragraph 3: Symbolic Representation and Voice, Language, and Storytelling
The pear tree also represents the power of storytelling and the importance of having a voice. Janie's interaction with the pear tree is described as a conversation, with the tree itself offering "airy tales" (Hurston 11). This interaction highlights the significance of storytelling and the connection between nature, imagination, and language. The pear tree symbolizes Janie's own development as a storyteller and her quest for self-expression. It emphasizes the value of having a voice and using it to shape one's own narrative, a theme central to Hurston's exploration of voice, language, and storytelling.
Body Paragraph 4: Symbolic Representation and Power, Judgment, and Jealousy
While the pear tree symbolizes liberation and empowerment for Janie, it also highlights the oppressive nature of power, judgment, and jealousy. When the pear tree's blossoms are devoured by bees, their actions parallel the judgments and jealousies that Janie encounters throughout her life. The bees represent the oppressive forces that threaten to stifle her growth and happiness. This symbolism underscores the complexities of power dynamics and the negative impact they can have on individuals, especially those who defy societal expectations.
Body Paragraph 5: Symbolic Representation and Race and Racism
Although the pear tree does not directly symbolize race and racism in the novel, its significance lies in its universality. The tree's symbolism extends beyond racial boundaries and speaks to the experiences of all individuals. Hurston's inclusion of the pear tree as a central symbol highlights the shared experiences of desire, love, independence, storytelling, and the challenges faced by individuals that transcend racial divisions. It allows readers from various backgrounds to identify with the themes explored in the novel and understand the broader implications of the symbol.
Conclusion:
The pear tree symbol in Their Eyes Were Watching God holds significant meaning throughout the novel. It represents Janie's journey to discover her own desires, find love and independence, voice her experiences, and navigate the complexities of power, judgment, and jealousy. While the symbol does not directly represent race and racism, its inclusion underscores the universal nature of these themes. Through the exploration of the pear tree symbol, Hurston encourages readers to reflect on their own desires, the power of storytelling, and the importance of dismantling societal constraints to live authentically.
Works Cited:
Hurston, Zora Neale. Their Eyes Were Watching God. Harper Perennial Modern Classics, 2020.
To write an essay on the significance of a symbol in "Their Eyes Were Watching God" by Zora Neale Hurston, you'll need to choose one symbol from the options given (the pear tree, mules, checkers, the hurricane, or the horizon). Here's a step-by-step guide to help you with your essay:
1. Choose a symbol: Begin by selecting one symbol that resonates with you or that you find intriguing. Each symbol represents different elements in the novel, so pick the one that you feel you can analyze effectively.
2. Conduct close reading: Read the novel carefully and identify instances where the selected symbol appears. Look for scenes or passages where the symbol is explicitly mentioned or indirectly alluded to. Take notes on these instances, including page numbers and brief summaries.
3. Develop a thesis statement: Craft a strong and arguable thesis statement that directly connects the symbol to one or more of Hurston's themes (gender roles and relations, voice, language, and storytelling, desire, love, and independence, power, judgment, and jealousy, race and racism). Your thesis should outline your main argument or interpretation of the symbol's significance in relation to the chosen theme(s).
4. Organize your essay: Structure your essay with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. In the introduction, provide some background about the novel and author while also introducing your thesis statement. Each body paragraph should focus on a specific aspect of the symbol's significance and provide evidence in the form of quotes or sound bytes from the novel. Analyze each piece of evidence to support your argument, while also connecting it back to the chosen theme(s). Finally, in the conclusion, summarize your main points and reiterate the significance of the symbol in relation to Hurston's themes.
5. Use quotations as evidence: For each paragraph, find at least one quote or sound byte directly from the novel to support your analysis. Make sure to integrate the quotes seamlessly into your essay, providing proper MLA in-text citations. For example, if discussing the pear tree symbol, you might use a quote like, "She was stretched on her back beneath the pear tree soaking in the alto chant of the visiting bees, the gold of the sun and the panting breath of the breeze when the inaudible voice of it all came to her" (Hurston, 11).
6. Incorporate secondary sources (if needed): If you choose to use secondary sources to support your argument, make sure to properly cite them in your essay and include them in your Works Cited page. Use reputable sources such as scholarly articles, books, or authoritative websites that provide analysis or criticism of "Their Eyes Were Watching God."
7. Edit and revise: After completing your first draft, thoroughly edit and revise your essay for clarity, coherence, and grammar. Pay attention to the sophistication of your language and make sure it aligns with the requirements of your assignment.
Remember, this guide provides a general outline, and it's important to adapt it to your own writing style and the specific requirements of your assignment. Good luck with your essay!