Author's Biographical Information

So I have been wondering about how much the novel Their Eyes Were Watching God to not just Zora Neale Hurston but all people as well. Despite being written by a black woman during the Harlem Renaissance, the novel applies to elements of transcendentalism fairly well. Transcendentalism is a universal movement, so it applies to all people and not just Hurston. The character Janie represents all people in their pursuits throughout life. Janie undergoes adversity in many ways but always manages to endure. This is similar to Hurston's own life story in which she was incessantly rebuked by her peers for being a women, but she was better then them. This ingrained in Hurston and by extension a sense to prove herself. This attribute was obvious in Hurston, but it was much more subtle in Janie. Janie yearns to be free and loved. This need pushes her through life, ever searching for her happiness and a time when she is not judged for what she is not. Janie wants to live in a world of happiness, peace, and serenity with her lover Tea Cake.

All people share that dream with Janie, they simply wish to be happy and that is what propelles them through life. Through this we can see how Janie is like any other person. Her dreams, goals, and events in life push her towards certain paths of action. If anyone were placed in Janie's shoes, especially Hurston, that person would act in the same manner as Janie. In this respect Janie can be seen as more of a universal character than just an individual. Janie underwent changes in her body, thoughts, and emotions like all other people. Following this logic Janie can be compared to everyone looking to express themselves in a world of oppression and is not just similar to Zora Neale Hurston.