"Ships at a distance have every man's wishes on board. For some they come in with the tide. For others they sail on the horizon forever, never out of sight, never landing until the Watcher turns his eyes away in resignation, his dreams mocked to death by time. That is the life of men." p. 1
Hurston begins the novel Their Eyes Were Watching God with this quote. The main idea of this quote shown is how man's life is full of dreams, not all reachable. The use of ships is to convey how a dream does not always come, like a ship which never comes to the shore. Even though men may have impossible dreams there is still the hope of achieving one's dream; the dream is "never out of sight". Hurston makes the assumption that everyone strives to achieve their dream by saying it is "the life of men" for having this hopeful view of life. This statement shows the epitome of most Americans striving for their dreams.
This quote reminds me of the idea of the American Dream in The Great Gatsby. One of the last pages in the novel states how we still try our hardest and do not give up on achieving the American Dream. This reflects Hurston's idea of hopeful Americans. Also in the novel one of the main characters Gatsby strives to make his dreams come true, but is never successful. One part of his dream was Daisy Buchanon, a girl from Gatsby's past. In the end of the novel Daisy does not stay with Gatsby, but instead goes back to her husband Tom. This event coincides with the thought of many Americans striving for unreachable dreams. Still Gatsby makes every effort to attain his dream.
Effective connection to The Great Gatsby! I agree with you that the concept of striving for a dream that perpetually remains allusive is central concept for each work. However, Hurston separates the ways in which each gender views the dream. There is a specific difference between men and women that is important to note and observe through Janie's eyes.
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