Finding True Love in Their Eyes Were Watching God Laura Jean Kepko

The novel Their Eyes Were Watching God is a story of one woman’s growth as a person physically, emotionally, and intellectually while on a journey for life fulfillment. Throughout the novel a theme illustrating the value of finding true love and friendships rather than material possessions and power is developed. This theme is most apparent in the contrasting relationships that Janie shares with each of her husbands: Logan, Jody, and Tea Cake.

In her relationship with Logan, Janie’s desires for reciprocated love are not satisfied. Despite the fact that Logan has sixty acres of land, their relationship lacks any kind of genuine mutual sensuality and leads to resentment and misery. The affection dying between them is displayed when Hurston says, “Janie noticed that her husband had stopped talking in rhymes to her. He had ceased to wonder at her long black hair.” At this point, Logan does not appear to care for Janie at all; he does not admire her hair, the unique quality that is a symbol for her strength and independence. In fact, Logan has made Janie a slave to him. He “calls to her harshly” and demands her help in moving manure outside. When Janie responds, “you don’t need mah help out dere, Logan,” he threatens to kill her...