LIT 2930 Discussion Questions
Zora Neale Hurston’s Their Eyes Were Watching God
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Ch. 1: Hurston is careful to give us many of the particulars of Janie’s life since she left this town.
What do we know about her?
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Ch. 2: Explore Janie’s grandmother. Why does she marry Janie off to Killicks? Why does she refer to
herself as a “cracked plate?”
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Ch. 3: How does the marriage to Killicks change, and how does Janie react?
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Ch. 4: What attracts Janie to Joe Starks? What do you think of her leaving Killicks for him?
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Ch. 5: Describe Joe’s character. In what way is he good for and bad for Janie? In what way is he a
good or a bad person?
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Ch. 6: Is Janie a selfish person? When does love leave the marriage? What rules must Janie follow
in her marriage? Are Joe’s demands unreasonable?
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Ch. 7: Both Joe and Janie hurt each other with public speech. How is this significant? Where else in
the novel has the theme of speaking out come into play?
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Ch. 8: Discuss Janie’s talk with Joe before his death. Was she right or wrong to do it? Is it meant to
help him? Her? Does anyone benefit from it?
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Ch. 9: What is the difference between mourning and grief?
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Ch. 10: How does Tea Cake endear himself to Janie?
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Ch. 11: Why does she push TeaCake away from her? Is that weakness?
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Ch. 12: Is Janie Tea Cake’s equal? Does she act that way?
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Ch. 13: Does TeaCake treat her well?
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Ch. 14: Some critics have called the muck "an Eden," is it? Why or why not?
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Ch. 15: Does this chapter contain a rape scene, or, if not, explain what happens?
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Ch. 16: Mrs. Turner is very clearly racist. How does Janie react to her?
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Ch. 17: TeaCake slaps Janie. How does she react to it? How do we as readers react?
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Ch. 18: Why don’t Janie and TeaCake leave?
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Ch. 19: Why doesn't Janie run when TeaCake points the gun at her?
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Ch. 20: Explain the last paragraph.