Symbol of Pear Tree in Zora Neale Hurston's Work

Their Eyes Were Watching God as Feminist Novel

Oct 11, 2008

Many have criticized, or praised, Zora Neale Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God as a feminist novel.

Though Janie, the protagonist and sometimes-narrator, does not view herself as a feminist, and often misconstrues inner peace for romance, she eventually finds her voice outside of her romantic relationships. The pear tree becomes symbol of Janie’ voice.

Janie Experiences First Awakening

Toward the beginning of the novel, as Janie shares her story with Phoebe, Janie tells of an overwhelming peace she felt as a young woman, sitting under a pear tree: “(The pear tree)…had called her to come and gaze on a mystery…it stirred her tremendously” (10).

Janie experiences serenity under the tree and it becomes a symbol of Janie’s voice throughout the novel. It is under the tree, however, that Janie begins to confuse inner peace and happiness with romance. She likens her experience under the shade of the tree to marriage and Janie begins her quest for happiness through relationship.

Ironically, the reader understands that Janie will not discover her voice through marriage, for as soon as Janie equates her feeling of peace with romantic relationships, she “felt a pain remorseless sweet that left her limp and languid” (11). Janie’s three marriages subsequently leave her powerless, “limp and languid” and it is not until Janie recognizes her own voice—alone—that she gains strength and freedom.

Janie Finds Her Voice

As Janie concludes the story of her journey, the image of the pear tree reappears. Indeed, the beginning passage is completed and Hurston’s novel comes full circle when Janie finally finds peace at the conclusion of the novel. As she hoped for marriage and romance while first sitting under the pear tree, she looks back on her three marriages, alone, and finally experiences peace.

What she continually looks for in a husband, she eventually finds in herself: “Here was peace. She pulled in her horizon like a great fish- net …she called in her soul to come and see” (193) Finally, Janie’s horizon is unlimited and, as the title of Hurston’s novel suggests, Janie no longer looks toward another to find her voice.

Instead, her eyes watch God. Just as the African-American community must no longer look toward white Americans for provision, religion, or affirmation, Janie no longer has to look toward a husband for affirmation or happiness. She finds both her unlimited horizon of opportunities, and her voice—which is quite eloquent—in herself.

Janie will look toward God directly with no husband as intermediary. In this passage of finality, the memory of Tea Cake—the ideal of an egalitarian marriage that was never realized—is more comforting to Janie than her husband was, “The kiss of his memory made pictures of love and light against the wall. Here was peace” (193).

Zora Neale Hurston pens both a feminist novel and a feminist protagonist in Their Eyes Were Watching God. Janie begins her journey, and the novel, longing for freedom and a voice, but equating both with romance. Her process of discovery is especially evident in four passages, and Janie eventually finds peace in herself, outside of her three marriages.

The copyright of the article Symbol of Pear Tree in Zora Neale Hurston's Work in American Fiction is owned by Allison D. Schisler. Permission to republish Symbol of Pear Tree in Zora Neale Hurston's Work in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.