How does Janie’s journey towards self-discovery challenge and traditional gender roles and expectations in the novel?

The Novel is: Their Eyes Were Watching God. The paper is broken into three sections with questions to assist in the research and paper: Relationships (How does Janie’s unconventional approach to relationships challenge traditional gender roles and expectations? In what ways do the other characters in the novel respond to Janie’s non-conformity? How does Janie’s journey contribute to the portrayal of gender dynamics within her community?) Identity (In what ways does Janie’s search for self-discovery challenge traditional notions of femininity and womanhood? How does Janie’s understanding of her own identity intersect with her experiences as a woman in her community?
In what ways does Janie’s journey contribute to a broader critique of gender norms and expectations in the novel?) and Language and Voice (language and voice reflect her journey towards self-discovery? In what ways does Hurston use Janie’s voice to subvert traditional gender roles and expectations? How does the use of language and voice contribute to the novel’s exploration of themes?)
Paper must have at least three sources from JSTOR and one source from Bloom cited in the paper and the book needs to be cited in the paper. You do not need to use the sources I listed in the file below but can if they fit.
There must be a Citations MLA format page.

Answer & Explanation

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In Zora Neale Hurston’s novel “Their Eyes Were Watching God,” the protagonist Janie Crawford’s journey towards self-discovery challenges traditional gender roles and expectations prevalent in the early 20th century.

At the start of the novel, Janie is expected to conform to the traditional gender roles of a black woman in the South. Her grandmother, Nanny, wants her to marry Logan Killicks, a man who can provide her with security and financial stability, regardless of whether she loves him or not. However, Janie is not satisfied with such a limited and predetermined life. She desires to find love and experience passion in her life, something that is not a part of the traditional gender roles for women at that time.

Janie’s journey towards self-discovery leads her to challenge the notion that a woman’s worth is solely

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Step-by-step explanation

determined by her ability to fulfill the expectations of her family and society. When she runs away with Jody Starks, she begins to experience power and respect, but soon realizes that Jody does not allow her to be her true self. Jody imposes traditional gender roles on Janie, expecting her to be submissive, obedient, and silent. Janie resists Jody’s expectations and eventually stands up to him, realizing that her own self-worth and identity are more important than conforming to society’s expectations of her.

Janie’s final marriage to Tea Cake is perhaps the most significant challenge to traditional gender roles. She chooses to marry him for love and passion, despite his lack of financial security and his lower social status. In their relationship, Janie takes on a more active role, breaking free from the passive and submissive role that was expected of women at that time. She works alongside Tea Cake, experiencing life to the fullest, and even defends herself when necessary. Her choice to marry for love, rather than for security or societal expectations, is a direct challenge to the traditional gender roles and expectations prevalent in her community.

In conclusion, Janie’s journey towards self-discovery challenges traditional gender roles and expectations prevalent in the early 20th century. Through her relationships and experiences, she learns to value her own self-worth and identity over society’s expectations of her as a woman. Her choice to marry for love and to live life on her own terms is a significant challenge to traditional gender roles and expectations, and represents a significant step towards a more equal society.

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