Zora Neale Hurston's novel, Their Eyes Were Watching God, is a third person narrative based around the life of a female protagonist, Janie Crawford. Having set the novel in early twentieth century southern United States, Hurston is able to use Janie as a vehicle to portray the feminine roles bounded by the society of that time. She emphasizes the restraints and rigidity of the social values that Janie overcomes, making her an eyesore among her society. Although Janie is criticized by her society, she is seen as a pioneer of feminine freedom in a patriarchy dominant world. Instead of being repressed through marriage, Janie elopes with several men, seeking fulfillment and happiness till she finds her perfect match. In the novel, Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston, Janie Crawford was ostracized by her society and peers for her quest to find a suitable companion, rather than the "right man , illustrating the development of her tenacity to diverge from the roles of a traditional southern woman.
To begin with, Janie represents a newer, more liberal generation in comparison to older ones. For instance, Nanny Crawford, Janie's grandmother who had lived as a slave, had been born, raised and matured in an oppressed environment and lifestyle. She had lived a majority of her life under the rule of her slave master. Due to this oppression, she had succumbed to patriarchal rule of society and viewed man as a domineering figure. While raising Janie, Nanny Crawford passed along her values and beliefs of patriarchy to her granddaughter. Nanny ordered that Janie marry a man that is economically well off, responsible and coming to power in social hierarchy. This demand sharply contrasts Janie's carefree and passion seeking life, which is portrayed early on in the novel when Janie is sexually aroused to kiss Johnny Taylor when she is merely sixteen. Seen as an act of defiance by her grandmother, Janie is immediately married to Logan K...