Introduction to the Harlem Renaissance

Zora Neale Hurston, the author of the novel Their Eyes Were Watching God, was a writer of the Harlem Renaissance who did not receive much recognition while she was alive. Today, she is known as one of the most influential and important writers of the Harlem Renaissance. She was not popular in her time because her writings were not accepted by the African-American community. Because of all of this, Zora became poor and lived out her life in Florida with nothing tied to her. She was even buried in an unmarked grave for a period of time. One of her most popular novels, Their Eyes Were Watching God, was a reason for her not being accepted by this community. It is about a girl, named Janie Crawford, and her life in the South.

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25 Random Facts About Me

Here are 25 random, interesting facts about me:

1. I have a seashell stuck in my ear from when I was little

2. My family believes we are part Native American

3. I have had 5 pets (Not including countless hermit crabs) and only one now

4. I want to be a doctor when I am older

5. I am a huge Maryland Terps fan

6. I have a fear of zombies

7.I talk in my sleep (Sometimes, I'm told, in different languages)

8. I am a horrible cook

9. I have never broken a bone

10. I have more than 15 Maryland T-shirts

11.I do not like any Mexican food. At all

12. I scratched my cornea in my eye when I was little.

13. I will not eat French fries from Burger King

14. When I was born, the wrong baby was brought in to my mom

15. When I smell something, I automatically think of a color

16. I have a fear of cruise ships

17. I do not know how to blow my nose

18. I am a procrastinator

19. I have a dog named Sparkles

20. I wear contacts

21. I can cross my legs with both feet above my knees

22. I do not like burgers or steak

23. I have a very low cholesterol level

24. I have a fear of dolphins

25. I Do not like writing random facts about myself

Imagery in Their Eyes Were Watching God

1. The description of the pear tree (11)

“…the thousand sister-calyxes arch to meet the love embrace and the ecstatic shiver of the tree from root to tiniest branch creaming in every blossom and frothing with delight.”

She describes the tree as loves embrace, full of life, calm, and the peacefulness around it,

2. The description of Janie’s body by the townsfolk.(2)

“The men noticed her firm buttocks like she had grape fruits in her hip pockets; the great rope of black hair swinging to her waist and unraveling in the wind like a plume; then her pugnacious breasts trying to bore holes in her shirt.”

They describe her body and her physical features.

3. The description of Nanny after she catches Janie kissing Johnny Taylor. (12)

“Nanny’s head and face looked like the standing roots of some old tree that had been torn away by storm. Foundation of ancient power that no longer mattered.”

She seemed ancient, hurt, and dejected. She feels unimportant in Janie’s life anymore.

4. The description of Janie’s revelation that marriage doesn’t make love. (25)

“She knew the world was a stallion rolling in the blue pasture of either. She knew that God tore down the old world every evening and built a new one by sun-up. It was wonderful to see it take form with the sun and emerge from the gray dust of its making.

This is about how Janie realizes she will not love Logan, and how she realizes that she will not love him.

5. The description of when Janie first sets her eyes on Joe Starks. (27)

“It was a cityfied, stylish dressed man with his hat set at an angle that didn’t belong in these parts. His coat was over his arm, but he didn’t need it to represent his clothes. The shirt with the slick sleeveholfers was dazzling enough for the world.

This description allows the reader to realize the professional and sleek look of Joe Starks.

6. This description is of Joe Stark’s house. (47)

“It had two stories with porches, with banisters and such things. The rest of the town looked like servants’ quarters surrounding the ‘big house.’ ”

This description represents the difference between Joe Starks and the rest of the town. It shows how much inferior he believes they are to him, with their houses be much less lavish and smaller.

7. The party for the streetlamp (45)

“They cut all sorts of capers and whiffed as it slowly came to perfection with the seasoning penetrating to the bone.”

This is describing the aroma that is surrounding the cooking of the hogs for the occasion.

8. Mule talk (53)

“There would be more stories about how poor the brute was; his age; his evil disposition and his latest caper. Everyone indulged in mule talk.”

This describes how people get laughs out of their everyday life. Its not just one person being mean, but everyone having a good time. It also says why the people make fun of the mule.

9. Teasing the Mule (56)

“The brute jerked up his head, laid back his ears and rushed to attack.”… “But he had more spirit left than body. He was soon panting and heaving from the effort of spinning his old carcass about. Everybody was having fun at the mule-baiting.”

The mule was trying its best to fend for himself and hurt his attackers. However, since he’s so old, he couldn’t do much except tire himself out. Everyone in the town loves to bait the mule except for Janie.

10. Dead Mule (59)

“But way after a while he died. Lum found him under the big tree on his rawbony back with all four feet up in the air. That wasn’t natural and it didn’t look right, but Sam said it would have been more unnatural for him to have laid down on his side and died like any other beast. He had seen Death coming and had stood his ground and fought it like a natural man. Naturally he didn’t have time to straighten himself out.”

The Mule lived a hard life. It was always working hard and angry at its owner. But like all other animals it died in an unnatural way with its feet in the air. It is compared to a natural man because he had fought death but eventually died.

Symbolism in Their Eyes Were Watching God

Janie’s hair – This symbolizes her freedom, it shows how she is not constrained.

Overalls – These clothes symbolize she is a working and poor woman. All of the townsfolk look at her and

Pear tree - This tree symbolizes her blooming into womanhood just as the tree is blooming in spring.

Gate – This gate symbolizes how she is restricted in her life, being stuck there with Logan. when she was with Logan, she only wanted to get away from him.

Matt Bonners’ Mule – The mule symbolizes how Joe tried to win Janie back, and thought he could save his relationship with money.

Head rag – This symbolizes Joe Starks control over Janie. He could tell her what to do, and take one of her key features.

Joe Starks’ house – This symbolizes his wealth and how he views himself higher up than the rest of the town.

Put her on a "high chair"- Joe Stark wanted everything for his wife. The “high chair” symbolizes his devotion to her to be as high and mighty as he is. Even though Janie is a woman, Joe wants her to be more important than a man.

Lamp lighting – This symbolizes the movement of the small town of Eatonville from a few shacks in the woods to a real town. It is a huge improvement from the time that Joe and Janie first laid eyes on it.

Spittoon – This is similar to Joe’s house, how it symbolizes his wealth and his superior view of himself to the others.

The Story Behind My Name...

My name is Zachary David, and I was named this because my parents simply liked the name Zachary, and they chose David because my mother wanted to name one of her children after my father, but my father did not want a Jr., so they made it my middle name. My name Zachary means remembrance of the Lord, and is a Hebrew name. Other names that I could have been named were David for a boy, and Chelsea or Malory for a girl. I personally like my name and I also think it is original, because I do not normally run into many Zachary's, but I do still sometimes. Most people do not have a interesting response to Zachary, but they do to my nickname, Zak. Most people are confused with the spelling, and typically misspell it.