Symbols & Imagery

In chapter 2, Hurston reveals the image of the pear tree.
" Janie saw her life like a great tree in leaf with the things suffered, things enjoyed, things done and undone."
The image of the tree is a symbol in the novel. As Hurston introduces the tree, she relates it to a relationship. Janie sees it as a marriage between the bee and the tree. I think the pear tree represent love, relationships and dreams. Janie seemed to find peace and daydream thinking of the tree. And felt like herself as she described the interaction between the tree and the bee. The symbol of the pear tree then segwayed into the scene with Johnny Taylor, which seemed fitting and right on time. It seems like the pear tree overall symbolizes the passion Janie wants in her life and her own fulfillment and being.
In the novel, parts of nature seem to function as symbols. Another symbol that appears is the vision of the horizon or the sun rising.
"But when the pollen again glided the sun and sifted down on the world she began to stand around the fate and expect things. What things? She did not know exactly."
Janie is unsure of what the horizon will entail for her. However she is waiting and expecting to reach it without knowing what her future may be. The sun was a fresh beginning, a catalyst for change. This change can be seen later when Janie marries Joe Starks. she admired the form the sun took but is being held back by a gate. This gate is acting as a blockade. I think the sun represents Janie's goal to reach and achieve her fulfillments.

The imagery of nature almost everytime reminded me and made me think of transcendentalism.