Their Eyes Were Watching God Lesson Plan

My Cup of Tea/My Slice of Cake

Kind of Activity:

Creative Writing

Objective:

Students will be able to consider Tea Cake as a character

Common Core Standards:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.11-12.1

Structure:

Ask students their impression of Tea Cake. Does he seem like he's just after Janie's money, or is a genuine partner for her? How does he differ from the other men in the novel? Have students discuss the gender roles in the novel and how the men adhere to them, assigning Janie to house work and maintaining a more distant relationship from her than she would prefer. Note the scenes where Tea Cake and Janie play chess and fish—what makes them particularly significant? Why did...