Their Eyes Were Watching God- Journal #9

A strong theme displayed in the book, and especially the last two chapters is that ultimately people will put their own benefit about all else.

The reader gets a glimpse of this theme when Tea Cake and Janie decide to leave Palm Springs because it is not in their best interest. "Janie, us got tuh git outa dis house and outa dis man's town." (Hurston 171). Janie and Tea Cake realize that staying in Palm Springs will cause them more pain and suffering, even though it would be best for the community to stay and clean up the bodies. Hurston uses this to show people doing what is best for themselves rather than what is best for a community. On an individual level, Tea Cake and Janie benefit much more by leaving town and going to the 'Glades, they can see their friends, make money, and live more comfortably. However, has a community they would be much more valuable to Palm Springs if they were to stay and help to clean up the mess. The couple does not listen to what they should do for the community, but the act on what they should do for their best interest.

Another time this theme is shown occurs when Tea Cake is extremely sick with mad dog disease. "She threw up the barrel of the rifle in frenzied hope and fear." (Hurston, 184). This passage clearly shows Janie sacrificing Tea Cake for her own good. When Janie realizes that Tea Cake is no longer himself, but someone who is intent on killing her, she acts. Even though Janie is still hoping that the serum from Dr. Simmons will cure Tea Cake, but when it is a life or death situation, Janie chooses her life over Tea Cake's. Hurston uses the close relationship between Janie and Tea Cake, and the rabies to show that it is ingrained in people to choose life above all other feelings and commitments.


PLOT DIAGRAM:

A man named Jeff is able to secure an amazing job with a great pay check, benefits and it is what he has always wanted to do. However, this job is located on the other side of the world. To Jeff, it does not matter, this job is worth leaving his town. On the other hand, Jeff is rather vital to his current town has the only reputable doctor around. If he leaves, the town will need to drive to the next city over for decent health care. Jeff decides to leave his town anyways, and leaves the rest of the citizens out of luck.