Their Eyes Were Watching God- Journal #8

In chapter 18, Hurston uses the setting to display the idea of persevering for the ones you love. She chose to use the storm to show this because Janie and Tea Cake had to push themselves and each other to make it to safety. The use of a dynamic setting changes the overall effect of the reader by pulling in emotions. The reader wants Tea Cake and Janie to survive, to escape and make it to higher ground because that is what the narrator wants. It highlights the theme because of the way emotions are played with, if it was not such a empathetic chapter, then the theme would be overlooked. It seems as if Hurston is using the storm to personify the storms that occur in relationships, and how overcoming them is about persevering. Hurston is trying to convey the importance of strong relationships, and how even the best relationships can have struggles. It is important for people to keep on keeping on, and if its just not working to try something else with someone else. Basically, Hurston is showing the reader that all people need relationships that are good and healthy, but that it will not come easy, and it definitely will not come quickly. People need to invest effort, time, and they must know when that particular relationship is over.