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Their Eyes Were Watching God - Janie's Hair

 

            A person must go through some trials and struggles to find one's true self. Janie, a strong, free-spirited woman, thought she was one way until she had been through some struggles. In Their Eyes Were Watching God, Janie went from Logan, her first husband, to Jody, her second husband, to Tea Cake, her third husband, before she found who she really was. Logan's control over Janie made her feel like she had to do whatever he said. She could not do anything when she was with Jody. However, when she was Now with Tea Cake, Janie was treated as an equal. She was able to be herself and do what she wanted to do and not what others told her to do. Hurston uses symbolism, figurative language, and imagery to reveal how struggles can lead to one discovering his or her true self.
             Through symbolism, Hurston shows how Janie found her true self. For example, in the book, Janie's hair symbolizes her identity. Jody, Janie's second husband, caught Walter, a regular in the store, playing with Janie's hair. Walter, the guy at the store, was enjoying "the feel of it on the back of his hand, back and forth without Janie knowing across the loose end of her braid" (55). Since Walter was playing in Janie's hair, which was really valuable to her, Jody saw and got upset. Later that night Jody "ordered Janie to tie up her hair around the store" (55). By Jody making Janie tie up her hair, he brought her self-esteem down even further than it was before. After Jody passed away, Janie was able to become herself again. Janie "tore off the kerchief from her head and let down her plentiful hair" (87). She was able to become the strong, free spirited woman she was before.
             With figurative language Hurston reveals Janie's true identity. It all started with Nanny, Janie's grandmother, holding her back from doing what she wanted to do. Janie "had been getting ready for her great journey to the horizons in search of people; it was important to all the world that she should find them and they find her.


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