Their Eyes Were Watching God (vol. II)

The title for Hurston’s work is found during the scene in which Janie and Tea Cake are deciding what to do before the hurricane hits. Hurston writes, “their eyes straining against crude walls and their souls asking if He meant to measure their puny might against His. They seemed to be staring at the dark, but their eyes were watching God” (160). The hurricane seems to be a physical manifestation of the internal storms which have swept through Janie’s life. Her marriages to Logan and to Joe both presented forces which radically shaped her life. While the characters in the novel do not appear to be especially spiritual, they do exist against the backdrop of forces beyond their control. Hurston’s characters wrestle with attempting to better their conditions against the hands played by the forces of this world. Nanny must work her entire life to present an opportunity for Janie to succeed. Janie views her marriage to Tea Cake as God finally opening up the door for her into enter into love (150). The black woman of Hurston’s novel is subject to every imaginable force, both made by man (socio-economic status) and by God (fate), and must strive to forge her way through them. Their eyes watch God to see if He will present a new obstacle or to open a new door. Janie’s story presents a reality in which we are all watching God and making the best of what He decides.