Reading the first two chapters
of “Their Eyes Were Watching God” shows
a close examination of what kind of character “Nanny” is. From the chapters read
“Nanny” is a wise woman. After reading the first two chapters you can already
tell Nanny’s experience as a slave, shaped who she is today and her views on
the world. For example, “You know, honey, us colored folks is branches without
roots and that makes things come round in queer ways. You in particular. Ah was
born back due in slavery so pot wasn’t for me to fulfill my dreams of whut a
woman oughta be and to do” (Hurston 16).
Nanny’s character tries to motivate
Janie to stick to what one may call an “old way of thinking” which is being
dependent on a man. Janie’s independence and desire to explore what the world
has to offer clash with Nanny’s ideas of how a woman should act. The idea of
gender roles is still present today. Many of the older generations believe men
and women should have specific gender roles that enhance conservative views.
For instance, “Yeah, Janie youse got yo’ womanhood on yuh. So ah mout ez well
tell yuh wut Ah been savin’ up for uh spell. Ah wants to see you married right
away”(Hurston 12). Both characters have strong personalities, which may clash further
in the novel. “You answer me when Ah
speak. Don’t you set dere poutin’ wid me after all Ah done went through for you”
(Hurston 14).
As you stated, the characterization of Nanny and Janie clearly depicts the conservative roles in which women hold in society. Because Nanny is older and has a more traditional way of thinking, she completely dismisses Janie's true desires. This is shown in the novel through Nanny's demands to be more "dependent on a man," causing Janie to marry, essentially, a stranger. Although Nanny seems to hold great influence over Janie, I agree with your prediction of potential conflict between the two women's views.
ReplyDeleteNanny and Janie both hold very unlike view points. With Nanny being much older than Janie, she has a more authentic outlook on how woman should act. Janie, being younger, doesn't understand the way Nanny thinks. You provide a very good example of this by discussing Nanny motivating Janie to become more "dependent on a man" and forcing Janie to marry a stranger. Although Janie views Nanny as a role model, she disagrees with Nanny's "old way of thinking" and you make this very clear in your blog.
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