When the mule dies, the people drag it out to the swamps to have a mocking funeral. The symbol of sustaining life becomes embodied by this mule. Summary. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. But he does not tell Janie this; he simply commands her to wear the head-rag. STUDY. The first mule shows up when janie marries Logan. Mentioned frequently throughout “Their Eyes Were Watching God”, the mule obviously represents the carrier of heavy loads and burdens, but it can also—and does—represent stubborn resistance. First, it represents her independence and defiance of petty community standards. And that “someone” is usually the weak woman. Janie’s hair is a central image in the book. (including. Teasin’ dat poor brute beast lak they is! With Logan and especially with Jody, her voice is suppressed, but with Tea Cake she is able to speak. Jody is a man of wealth, but he struggles to display his love adequately-he does not know how to show it properly. The freed mule becomes the talk of the town, and the people imagine him doing a great many comic things. Janie feels ashamed and frustrated when she sees the mule made fun of. In “Their Eyes Were Watching God” most of the symbols are just about nature and are quick to see. Similarly, on the hierarchy of society, Janie and her fellow black women are depicted on the lowest rungs of society. Hurston chose the mule as a symbol instead of another animal because the mule is predominately an animal meant for labor and nothing else. Why does Hurston do this? Little of Hurston’s work was published during the Harlem Renaissance, yet her ability to tell witty stories and to stir controversy made her a … The original text plus a side-by-side modern translation of. There is obviously a relationship through symbolism between Janie and the Mule. She wanted to fight about it” (57) —> helpless things are all the victim’s of the men’s oppression in a society where women are not given a voice —-> WHICH DEVICES DOES THE AUTHOR USE TO HIGHLIGHT Janie’s feelings? What type of character is she implying he is? What is its purpose? Flashcards. “Dat mule uh yourn, Matt. Nanny does not like the fact that Janie is picked on by the other black children for living in the white family’s backyard, so she asks the Washburn’s to help her buy some land and create a home of her own. Nanny says, "De nigger woman is de mule uh de world" (Hurston 14). In the mule scene, Hurston is showing a relationship between the mule and Janie. the mule does not represent janie. Their Eyes Were Watching God, Hurston describes the horizon as possibilities and opportunities. All rights reserved. Because the white landlords degrade the African American men, crumple their dignity, and make it impossible for them to express their rage without facing drastic consequences, they motivate quiet hatred. She explains to Janie that throughout history African American women have been forced to work similar to mules. Describe the “dragging out” for the mule. Ten songs that represent 'Their Eyes were Watching God" Here Comes Your Man by Meaghan Smith Compass by Lady Antebellum A bittersweet song that represents the time when Joe hit Janie. represents male dominance in Janie's life, her inability to decide her own path. Women go through a process of self-discovery which can be both hindered and aided by the people around them. The head rag that Janie wears in the novel is a symbol of suppression … ", Instant downloads of all 1408 LitChart PDFs The mule serves to illustarte the strained relationship between janie and Joe Starks. Zora Neale Hurston’s cast of characters in Their Eyes Were Watching God demonstrates the complicated gender dynamics of Black Americans in the early twentieth century. This heritage is similar to that of a mule because mules are the crossbreed of horses and donkeys and are not accept in either community. For some they come in with the tide. Eventually, the mule dies with its legs stuck straight up in the air. You better go see ‘bout him. De womenfolks got yo’ mule. Symbolism in Their Eyes Were Watching God Zora Neale Hurston underscores her timeless classic, Their Eyes Were Watching God with several important symbols.The most prominent five of these are the pear tree, Janie’s hair, the horizon, death, and the hurricane. "Janie loved the conversation and sometimes she thought up good stories on the mule… The image of the mule first appears when Nanny tells Janie that black women are the mules of the earth, meaning that they are the lowest creatures, used by others. Spell. The mule represents the feminine gender role in the story by which men suppress and degrade women who are stereotyped as unable to think for themselves and needing constant guidance from men. There is obviously a relationship through symbolism between Janie and the Mule. Nanny understood that black men’s oppression of women is result of the white’s abasement of African Americans, and said the following to her granddaughter: Quote 1: “Honey, de white man is de ruler of everything as fur as Ah been able tuh find out. In the book, the mule is a highly talked about old animal which … While the mistreatment that Janie endures is primarily emotional, the abuse that the mule experiences is mostly physical. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. The image of the mule emerges repeatedly in different contexts throughout the novel, but remains consistent in its figurative meaning as a symbol of victimization and bondage. He holds a ceremony where they “mocked everything human in death,” or mocked the mule with a sarcastic eulogy of their most distinguished departed citizen. Watson’s mule was worked hard and was not fed properly so he didn’t look healthy. When Joe came along it was like love at first sight for her. Janie’s new found assertiveness over her life, taking charge of her own survival. Just as the mule has been starved from food, Janie has been denied love and affection from Joe. Thank you Athena! What is the symbol ranked and why? A second image of a mule exists in the novel. He pick it up because he have to, but he don’t tote it. Mules symbolize that women like Janie are treated badly, and that they are treated little better than animals. Despite being called the next George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, Joe specifically exploits the mule when it dies. The image of the mule emerges repeatedly in different contexts throughout the novel, but remains consistent in its figurative meaning as a symbol of victimization and bondage. The mule finally dies of old age, and the townspeople stage an elaborate mock funeral service before they leave the carcass to buzzards. She suddenly draws a parallel between herself, the mule, and the African American women in general . ... represents Janie's goals and dreams, what she wants to do, where she wants to go. Teachers and parents! This essay or any portion thereofmay not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoeverwithout the express written permission of the publisher. Her refusal to bow down to their norms clearly reflects her strong, rebellious spirit. When these downtrodden men return home, they feel an understandable desire to spill out their malice on someone. Janie watches helplessly, feeling sorry for the poor beast. Mules symbolize that women like Janie are treated badly, and that they are treated little better than animals. ” (Chapter 1, p.14). Mules are known for being stubborn, but also for serving as beasts of burden. Our. Their Eyes Were Watching God is a great book, and enjoyed it very much. ... What does "their eyes were watching God" mean? He’s bad off…. De nigger woman is de mule uh de world so fur as Ah can see” (Hurston 15). -Graham S. The timeline below shows where the symbol Mule appears in, ...security alongside a well-established husband like Logan. The hurricane itself does not kill Tea Cake, but if it were not for the hurricane he would not have been bit by the dog that killed him. Please Like our Facebook page to support our open-access youth education initiatives! Thus, she returns from the Everglades in the overalls she wore to work on the muck. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! Struggling with distance learning? The mule is constantly mocked and seen as a lowly creature. PLAY. He hand it to his womenfolks. Write. Even under Jody, Janie feels that she is physically oppressed-having to tie up her hair and not talking with other citizens-like the mule is physically deprived to work nonstop. Symbolism In Their Eyes Were Watching God By Zora Neale Hurston 1914 Words | 8 Pages. Her monologue is reflective of not only the plight of African American women, but also of African Americans as a group. and find homework help for other Their Eyes Were Watching God questions at eNotes (TEWWG) Answers: 3 Get Other questions on the subject: English. Many of them worked manual labor jobs, much like a beast of burden. Janie is compared to a mule in the first half of the book because mules also usually are looked down upon and not heard from. Active Themes Jody overhears Janie , and in order to quell Janie's anxiety about the mule 's victimization, Jody purchases the mule from Matt Bonner for a mere five dollars, so that the townspeople will stop bothering it. Although Joe initiates in saving the mule by purchasing its freedom from Matt and acts like he cares for its well-being, he continues to exploit the mule like the others. Change ), By donating, you are supporting our mission for global health and education for youth around the world! Janie, throughout the novel, bounces through three different marriages, with a brief stint at being a widow in between. Their Eyes Were Watching God is primarily a novel about love, the transcendent nature of love, and how it affects one’s identity and independence. View all posts by Moosmosis. What does it represent? Answers 1. ( Log Out /  Matt Boner’s mule is an interesting symbol, and it represents slavery. Teach your students to analyze literature like LitCharts does. The mule is a symbol of the control that men have over things. It represents being trapped by Jody, which they both have in common. Head Rag and Janie's Hair. Jody buys the mule not because he is heart-wrenched by the mule’s devastating plight but because he wants to impress Janie. The horizon to Janie. When ah come round de lake ‘bout noontime mah wife and some others had ‘im flat on the ground usin’ his sides fuh uh washboard.” The great clap of laughter that they have been holding in, bursts out. Sam tells Matt that his mule is in trouble by the lake. The obvious comparison between an overworked, maltreated, and yet still stubborn mule reveals the undying hope and persistent independence of the black women, who continued to dream of mutual respect despite the beatings and ultimatums of their husbands. Nanny says, "De nigger woman is de mule uh de world" (Hurston 14). "Honey, de white man is de ruler of everything as fur as Ah been able tuh find out. You’re very kind. So de white man throw down de load and tell de nigger man huh pick it up. The abused yellow mule symbolizes mistreatment and suppression that Janie and women like her face. Learn. She was continually put down and emotionally “kicked and slapped.” Women during the 1930’s were thought as useless, that they could put nothing forward. She thinks she has no choice but to marry him, much like a mule has no choice about who its owner is. Janie identifies with the mule, which remains stubbornly independent despite its masters efforts to beat it down. The animal with the greatest symbolic charge in this novel is the mule. Throughout her seven years of marriage, Janie begins to resent Jody’s oppression and then later defends Mrs. Tony and women, who face hierarchical oppression by men. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Our Moosmosis site is run 100% by volunteers from around the world. 2. Answered by jill d #170087 6 years ago 2/8/2015 6:28 PM. Test. Zora Neale Hurston makes a close connection between mules and burdens in her novel, Their Eyes Were Watching God. Horizon The horizon represents Janie’s dream for change and the improvement of her life. Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. Janie’s grandmother clearly illustrated what Janie would become and how the mule clearly symbolizes and relates to her granddaughter. How awesome, Ana! Mentioned frequently throughout “Their Eyes Were Watching God”, the mule obviously represents the carrier of heavy loads and burdens, but it can also—and does—represent stubborn resistance. Study some of the passages in which mules are used as symbolic representations and make an argument about which reading you find more compelling and why. How he "stands on" the black population to raise himself up. What does Joe standing on the dead mule represent? The mule is constantly being chased by Matt, however it escapes in desperation for independence. 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