Their Eyes Were Watching God Group
Question:
Answers:
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Posted by blazedale on Thursday May 24, 2007 at 12:17 PM
The title comes from a quote in the book which reads, in full:
They seemed to be staring at the dark, but their eyes were watching God
It basically means that, you couldn't always tell, but people in the book have an emotional and ever-present knowledge and association with God.
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brendawm Teacher
High School - 9th GradePosted by brendawm on Thursday May 24, 2007 at 2:01 PMYes, the title of the book is based on a quote from the book; however it seems to have greater significance in the scheme of things as it seems to bring so many thoughts and ideas from the novel to a close. During a huge party, a hurricane starts and begins to break up the party due to its severity. Tea Cake and Motor Boat stop what they are doing when they hear thunder outside, and Janie tells them to be quiet because “Ol’ Massa is doin’ His work now.” The noise of the storm makes the noises that they made at the party seem quite small by comparison. The implication is that this natural phenomenon is the product of God, which is instantly more impressive than anything that could be made by man. This storm can be a metaphor for the power of nature, the type of nature that we first read about in Janie’s gentle bee. It is as if they understand the power of God for the first time. When the winds knock out the power, the others wonder if “He meant to measure their puny might against His.” “Their eyes were watching God” in recognition of God’s power, and the farmers understand with whom true power lies. This power is symbolized by the lake. The strength of the rushing water can knock any one person aside easily, and this illustrates the power that God and nature possess over human beings.
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xlmn-opqr Student
High School - 10th GradePosted by xlmn-opqr on Sunday May 4, 2008 at 10:37 AMTheir Eyes Where Watching God: the line appears in the book a couple of times near the end. Janie tells Pheoby “two things everybody got tuh do fuh theyselves. They got tuh go tuh God, and they got tuh find out about livin' fuh theyselves. Janie believes in God and that he will help you in time of need but not all the time. Her eyes were watching God to help Tea Cake make it through and not die. But Tea Cake did die. The people watching God are waiting helplessly for him but sometimes you have to take charge for yourself. Also, if you don’t take advantage of the signs God does give (the Indians warning Janie before the Hurricane) you then you really are on your own.
