Their Eyes Were Watching God

Over the past few days, I got to examine the novel Their Eyes were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston. This story was fairly interesting, as it was about the events relating to several members of an African American community. Although it is not as big of a theme in the story, I found Hurtson's views and symbolism on presumably the history of African Americans an interesting theme in the story.

Even on the first page, I found what would presumably be imagery of the pursuit of African American, as Zora talks about Ships on the horizon that hold the dreams and wishes of people. Some of these ships "for some they come in with the tide. For others they sail forever on the horizon, never out sight..." Although she may have meant for a different interpretation, one could see this as the history of the formers slaves before the American Civil War. The ships could be interpreted as freedom heading for some, specifically whites, while the others that see the ships on the horizon that never come to the shore are the slaves that desired their freedom, as it is in sight but so far away.

This however would not be the only image. Hurtson also uses mules doing labor on the farm as a reoccurring symbol throughout the story. She even at one points dedicates a chapter just on the story about a mule owned by of some of the characters. The mule, owned by Sam and Joe, is commented by them as being worked so hard and thin that the ribs could be used as a washboard. Eventually the mule escapes and is captured again by the characters but it puts up a stubborn fight even though it is not as strong as the people. Eventually after being captured the mule dies and the characters, out of sympathy, decide to give the mule a funeral.

The mule in this chapter can be interpreted as slaves being almost worked to their death, as it is so weak and undernourished. The escape of the mule could symbolize the freeing of the slaves after the Civil War, as the slaves experience a brief period of freedom. But when the mule is recaptured by the characters, one could interpret this as the period of segregation in most areas. When the mule dies and the characters decide to give it a funeral, one interpret this as the future, as African American's gain the feelings of some of their oppressors, even perhaps ending segregation.

Hurston's imagery on race can be seen in multiple ways in this novel. I found it particularly interesting in how she does such, especially in the chapter relating to the mule. And although she may have had other intentions in mind, she does a good job in my opinion.