Published in 1937, is set in the all-Black town of Eatonville, Florida, in the same time period. Harlem Renaissance author tells the story of Janie Crawford, a Black woman who gets married to three very different men throughout her life–Logan Killicks, Joe Starks (Jody), and Tea Cake. Through Janie's experiences, Hurston explores themes of love, self-discovery, and independence. She weaves a rich tapestry of emotional depth and cultural commentary. The heart of this novel is Janie's pursuit of her true identity. More importantly, it explores how she does that while also managing societal expectations and tempestuous relationships.
Hurston's lyrical prose celebrates African-American culture and Black women in particular while challenging the limitations imposed on them by society. Here are 30+ memorable and impactful quotes from Their Eyes Were Watching God.
The best Their Eyes Were Watching God quotes about reality, perception, and emotions
"Then she starched and ironed her face, forming it into just what people wanted to see."
"She had an inside and an outside now and suddenly she knew how not to mix them."
"She didn't read books so she didn't know that she was the world and the heavens boiled down to a drop."
"She had glossy leaves and bursting buds and she wanted to struggle with life but it seemed to elude her."
“She turned wrongside out just standing there and feeling.”
"She was too busy feeling grief to dress like grief."
"It was funny if you looked at it right quick, but it got pitiful if you thought about it awhile."
“It is so easy to be hopeful in the daytime when you can see the things you wish on."
“Some people could look at a mud puddle and see an ocean with ships.”
"The dream is the truth."
The best Their Eyes Were Watching God quotes about the nature of love and hate
“Love is like the sea. It's a moving thing, but still and all, it takes its shape from the shore it meets, and it's different with every shore.”
"Janie looked down on him and felt a self-crushing love. So her soul crawled out from its hiding place."
“He looked like the love thoughts of women.”
“Husbands and wives always loved each other, and that was what marriage meant. It was just so.”
"There is two things everybody got to find out for theirselves. They got to find out about love and they got to find out about living."
