The Role of Black Women in Southern America in "Their Eyes Were Watching God"

The post-Civil War era of the United States led to radical changes in the demographics of its citizens. Reconstruction led to liberal thoughts on the equality of blacks and women. These ideas, although never passed into law, influenced the way minorities had a voice in the government. By the 1920, black men and white women had "equal" rights as citizens, but black women were still treated as though not deserving of equal status, as though they were "de mule uh de world." In Their Eyes Were Watching God, Zora Neale Hurston epitomizes the feminist goals of black women to become an equal to that of their male counterparts through Janie's relationships with Logan, Jody, and Tea Cake.
Janie's first marriage is to Logan Killicks. Her grandmother has arranged the marriage to Logan in hopes of Janie having a better life. …