Their Eyes Were Watching God Lesson Plan

What is the purpose of making Their Eyes Were Watching God a frame story—is it more effective than to have simply started with Chapter 2 and the chronological beginning of the novel?

The frame story more fully portrays Janie's character development—the motif of self-discovery is made most apparent when Janie returns Eatonville, where she appears confident in herself and her decisions. Janie knows the truth about her relationship with Tea Cake and does not feel the need to justify herself to others. If the novel had started out with sixteen-year-old Janie, the reader would not be aware of that sense of confidence, whereas with the inclusion of Chapter 1, the reader...