Their Eyes Were Watching God is a novel that explores the life and self-discovery of Janie Crawford, a Black woman navigating love, independence, and societal expectations in the early 20th century American South
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Reading & Writing Workshop for Their Eyes Were Watching God with a Literary Focus emphasizing literary elements, terms, and ideas throughout. It is suitable for both AP Literature and American Literature courses.
Introduction / Setup Zora Neale Hurston’s Their Eyes Were Watching God is a rich exploration of selfhood, language, love, and freedom. Written during the Harlem Renaissance, the novel follows Janie Crawford’s journey toward independence and self-realization, told through powerful dialect, vivid imagery, and symbolic storytelling. Students will analyze how Hurston uses literary elements — especially imagery, symbolism, irony, characterization, tone, and motif — to explore identity, gender, and the search for voice. General Instructions:
Students will analyze how Zora Neale Hurston employs literary techniques, folklore, and symbolism to portray Janie’s search for identity, autonomy, and meaning. Through reading, discussion, and writing, students will connect Hurston’s style to broader themes of voice, gender, race, and selfhood. Session-by-Session Plan Session 1: Imagery, Setting, and Voice (Ch. 1–4) Objective: Examine how Hurston’s use of imagery, diction, and dialect establishes Janie’s world and sense of self. Key Terms: Imagery, diction, dialect, narrative voice, tone, symbolism. Reading Focus: Janie’s youth under Nanny’s care; the pear tree scene; Janie’s marriage to Logan Killicks. Excerpt (Public Domain): “She was stretched on her back beneath the pear tree soaking in the alto chant of the visiting bees, the gold of the sun, and the panting breath of the breeze when the inaudible voice of it all came to her. She saw a dust-bearing bee sink into the sanctum of a bloom; the thousand sister-calyxes arch to meet the love embrace, and the ecstatic shiver of the tree from root to tiniest branch creaming in every blossom and frothing with delight.” Focus Questions:
Write a short descriptive paragraph in Hurston’s style, using imagery and tone to depict a moment of awakening or discovery. Then identify two literary devices you imitated (imagery, diction, symbolism). Session 2: Symbolism, Irony, and Power (Ch. 5–9) Objective: Analyze how Hurston uses symbolism and irony to depict Janie’s relationship with Joe Starks and her struggle for voice. Key Terms: Symbolism, irony, motif, conflict, tone, characterization. Reading Focus: Janie’s role as mayor’s wife; Joe’s control; the head-rag and hair symbolism; Janie’s growing defiance. Excerpt (Public Domain): “She tore off the kerchief from her head and let down her plentiful hair. The weight, the length, the glory was there.” Focus Questions:
Write a two-paragraph analysis of Janie’s hair as a symbol of freedom and identity. How does Hurston transform a physical detail into a metaphor for selfhood? Include at least two literary terms (symbolism, tone, irony). Session 3: Motif, Imagery, and Love (Ch. 10–15) Objective: Explore how Hurston blends romantic and natural imagery to depict Janie’s relationship with Tea Cake as a form of liberation. Key Terms: Motif, imagery, tone, conflict, theme. Reading Focus: Janie’s relationship with Tea Cake; the Everglades (“muck”) setting; joy, labor, and equality. Excerpt (Public Domain): “He looked like the love thoughts of women. He could be a bee to a blossom — a pear tree blossom in the spring. He seemed to be crushing scent out of the world with his footsteps. Crushing aromatic herbs with every step he took.” Focus Questions:
Write a short analytical essay (1 page) on how Hurston uses natural imagery to connect love and freedom. Reference at least three literary terms (imagery, motif, tone). Session 4: Tragedy, Symbolism, and Resolution (Ch. 16–20) Objective: Analyze how Hurston uses symbolic and tragic structure to depict Janie’s final transformation. Key Terms: Symbolism, irony, resolution, theme, tone. Reading Focus: The hurricane, Tea Cake’s death, and Janie’s return to Eatonville. Excerpt (Public Domain): “They seemed to be staring at the dark, but their eyes were watching God.” Focus Questions:
Write a thematic essay (2–3 paragraphs) analyzing how Hurston transforms tragedy into spiritual renewal. Discuss how symbolism and tone reflect Janie’s journey toward self-realization. Key Literary Anchors Students should track the following literary elements throughout the novel: Element, Focus and Example Imagery & Diction Vivid sensory and natural imagery reveal emotional states The pear tree, storm, and horizon Symbolism Physical details reflect inner and social truths Janie’s hair, the hurricane, the horizon Motif Recurring images of nature and freedom Bees, flowers, and the horizon Irony Social control vs. personal freedom Joe’s desire to empower Janie silences her Tone & Voice Alternation between poetic narration and Black vernacular speech Hurston’s blend of dialect and lyricism Theme Selfhood, love, race, gender, voice, and spiritual growth Janie’s journey toward independence Optional Group-Based Implementation Group, Focus, Chapters and Product Group 1 Imagery & Voice 1–4 Create a visual “pear tree dream map” linking imagery to identity. Group 2 Symbolism & Irony 5–9 Perform a brief dramatic reading of Janie and Joe’s final argument, then analyze the tone. Group 3 Motif & Imagery 10–15 Illustrate or storyboard Hurston’s natural motifs (pear tree, horizon, hurricane). Group 4 Theme & Resolution 16–20 Create a reflective monologue for Janie summarizing her growth in literary terms (tone, theme, symbol). |
Reading and Writing Workshop: Exploring African American Life Through Fiction
General Instructions: Begin by reading the novel either in groups or as a class. If group reading the novel, divide it into sections and assign each group a section. As groups, they will read their section, write a summary of each chapter, and then each group reports on their chapters. As students read, they should complete the Novel Study Guide and/or the Historical Thinking Guide. After reading and reporting on the entire novel, the workshop might consist of a single session or more. The goal is to engage participants in an exploration of life in an America through writing exercises that foster a deeper understanding of concepts such as conflict, and resilience. Objective: Reading & Writing Workshop: Their Eyes Were Watching God Overview This workshop guides students through Zora Neale Hurston’s novel while preparing them for AP Literature exam tasks. Sessions integrate reading discussion, literary analysis skills, and scaffolded writing practice, culminating in a full AP-style timed essay. Session 1: Framing the Novel & Essential Questions Focus: Context, thematic framing, and building interpretive questions.
Focus: How Hurston’s prose style shapes meaning.
Focus: The pear tree, hair, horizon, the hurricane.
Focus: Love, gender, race, autonomy, and community.
Focus: Full AP-style writing practice.
Focus: Connecting motifs, symbols, and themes across the novel.
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