Zora Neale Hurston's "Their Eyes Were Watching God," is not the greatest novel ever written, nor is it the greatest conventional love story ever told. What it was, or is, is the first of its kind. Originally published almost 70 years ago, in 1937, "Their Eyes Were Watching God," has been declared the first African-American feminist novel. And for that reason alone, we should honor Ms. Hurston for her skill, talent and foresight, and those who worked so diligently to put her name and good works back in our reading stratosphere.
I was compelled to dig out my old copy of "Their Eyes..." when Oprah began advertising the debut of her television movie adaptation of the novel, starring Halle Berry, which aired last month. I was not disappointed in the re-read, but not as captivated as I was in my youth. Despite Ms. Hurston's proficiency as a storyteller, this is not an easy novel to read, but upon completion, I remembered why I loved it so many years ago, and still do today.
We are introduced to Janie, a second generation child born of rape. Janie is raised by a stern, loving grandmother, Nanny. Nanny is a no-nonsense woman who does the best she can by her granddaughter. That includes arranging a marriage after the first indication of Janie's attraction to a young man--and his to her. Nanny's answer is to conduct a marital transaction with a suitable spouse--an older, respectable widower with land, Mr. Logan Killicks. Janie's marital misery means nothing to Nanny. But once Nanny closes her eyes, Janie's are opened to the possibilities that life holds beyond Mr. Killicks' property.
One day Janie meets a fancy-dressed man who has ambition, a plan, a personality...and he bathes. Joe Starks invites Janie to come away with him to the land of opportunity--the all-black town of Eatonville, Florida. As almost always, everything is great in the beginning. Mr. Starks buys property, becomes a successful shopkeeper, then Mayor of Eatonville--and Janie, the miserable and lonely First Lady of Eatonville. Many years later when Mr. Starks dies, what is Janie to do? To the rescue comes Tea Cake. Aaaahhhh, Tea Cake! The fine, young morsel plops onto Janie's empty plate with nothing of material value. But that does not matter. Here is a man with a world full of spirit and love, and most importantly, a real love for Miss Janie.
In the course of "Their Eyes Were Watching God," Zora Neale Hurston creates three different men who guide Janie through the various stages of her life. And Janies loves each of them in her own way--as best she can at those stages of her life. The greatest love story that Ms. Hurston developed however, is not the love Janie shares with Tea Cake. It is the love Janie is finally able to give herself. This is the heart of all our lives and the story we all, women and men, alike, woud be better off learning and living.....Love ourselves and keep our eyes open so that we can continue to watch the wonders of God.
