Their Eyes Were Watching God

At this point, I can honestly say the novel by Hurston, Their Eyes Were Watching God, was my favorite reading all semester.  The themes, superstition, youth, life, love, etc. were wonderful.  I also thoroughly enjoyed the characters, particularly Janie.  Her ambition during the second half of the novel to better her life, to actually live her life is a trait that I hope one day to have.  I have compared her character to myself.  At this point, I am working full-time, going to school full-time, and play for the soccer team.  Trying to find a balance between all three, not to mention somewhat of a person life, is challenging.  I am questioned frequently about my work ethic and have been told by many that I work too hard for being only nineteen.  I however disagree.  I have always said, "I would rather work hard now, so in the future, when I'm mature enough to appreciate what life is and the things in it, I can do so freely."  Janie's character was in a similar situation.  While married to Jody, Janie worked hard, had limited free time, and lived her life according to someone else's schedule.  When Jody died and she ran away with Tea Cake, her life became entirely different.  Janie began to not only live her life, but also appreciate all that was in accordance with it.  Hopefully, I'll be able to appreciate my life later on and not resent working hard now.

The one thing I will most likely remember about the novel was the way in which Hurston wrote the novel.  I felt as though if the dialogue were to be removed, the novel would become a poem.  The imagery, predominantly in the first couple chapters, will forever be engrained in my memory.  I'm actually afraid to watch the movie because I am frightened that particular scenes, like when Janie is lying under the tree watching it bloom, will have been removed for times sake.  I am looking forward to re-reading the novel at one point in the future.