Their Eyes Were Watching God Essay

David McKnight

Hour 2

 Barnes

Zora Neal Hurston’s Depiction of the American Feminine

I believe that, presently, to be an American Woman means that one can hope for a life outside of the house, outside of cooking and cleaning for a living, outside of subservience to males. In some countries, women are denied such basic things as education and suffrage. In the United States, however, the idea is that women are equal to men, and therefore deserve all the respect and allowances that men do.

            Throughout the history of the United States, women have been given the short end of the stick when it comes to gender discrimination. Historic unfair disadvantages have included, but are not limited to, inability to legally own property, lack of suffrage, unable-to-join-the-military-ness,  and lower wages.

The American woman can create her own identity through her actions—the choices she makes in life. For example, the choice a woman makes in selecting her husband (especially at the time) influences how they are treated and what they are able to do with their free time. Another example would be education; if a woman decides to study hard, she can reach the top of These choices are, in fact, no different from those that are made by men.

The concerns of an American woman are not concrete; they vary depending upon the woman. In Janie’s case, one major concern for her is that her husband will treat her as a human being, rather than as a possession. Another major concern for her is whether she actually loves the other person. Finally, the last major concern she has is whether her life will be exciting or not.

Janie represented American women at large because, at the time, women were beginning to realize that they, in fact, did not need to listen to men’s commands. Women in Janie’s time were beginning to throw off the shackles of tradition and embrace individuality.