Throughout the novel, Janie is constantly at odds with society's expectations. At first, society is represented by Nanny. She represents society's misconception that a woman's future is in the hands of fate. She hopes Janie will "land on soft ground," as if waiting to do so is the only option. Janie submits to her grandmother's authority, and marries Logan Killicks. Janie has just given in to the expectations of society, and as a result of her capitulation, she is unhappy. Had she been true to herself, she would have refused to marry a stump and been much happier.
Another example of lack of self truth leading to unhappiness is how long Janie stays with Joe. She realizes she does not like the way Joe treats her long before she does anything about it. When she finally does, it has been twenty years and Joe is on his deathbed. Twenty years of staying in her "woman's sphere", which we know Janie doesn't like from her comments about how Joe treats her in the store and how he denies her the right to speak in public. Had Janie been true to herself and not submitted to his expectations, she would not have suffered for twenty years.
After Joe dies, Janie begins seeing Tea Cake, and people are shocked at her behavior. She is expected to be mourning her loss and wearing black. But this time Janie doesn't care what other people think. She wears the flamboyant dresses Tea Cake buys her, and goes out with him all the time. For Janie, this is fulfilling. Why? Because she is being true to herself, which always brings fulfillment and happiness.
So there you have it. The transcendentalist aspect of being true to yourself is in Their Eyes Were Watching God. Not that I think Hurston did it on purpose...
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