(Grade Awarded: A)
The Power of Language in Zora Neale Hurston‟s Their Eyes Were
Watching God
Language embodies power throughout Zora Neale Hurston‟s
Their Eyes Were Watching God. Although many of the characters
in the novel somewhat understand the influence of language on
their lives, the main character, Janie, is able to distinguish between
talk and truth and learns to use the power of language for her own
gain.
As the novel unfolds, it becomes clear that most characters
are willing to believe whatever is said to them; oftentimes, they
seem even to hunger for the “correct” path to be laid ahead of
them. Early in the novel, when Joe Starks is articulating his plans
for the new town of Eatonville, the future townspeople
submissively agree with all that he says. Sam Watson exhibits the
desire to follow Joe‟s word and ideas, as well as the lack of self-
thought about the subject, with his comment about the opening of a
store, “Dat would be kinda nice, Brother Starks, since you mention
it.” (p.40)
In addition to the townspeople‟s willingness to believe the
talk of a leader (Joe), they also are open to the gossip of their
neighbors. When Janie runs off with Tea Cake, Sam Watson
explains how powerful talk can be—even when it is not based on
truth. Sam, describing the town gossips, tells Phoebe, “Oh dey got
it all figgered out. Maybe it ain‟t as bad as they say, but they talk it
and make it sound real bad on her part.” (p.111)
Tea Cake also comments on this phenomena when he is
arguing with Janie about Nunkie; he tells Janie, “Don‟t keer how
big uh lie get told, somebody kin b‟lieve it!” (p.137) Rather than a
comment on Janie specifically, this seems a general statement for
the society as a whole, as we continue to witness lies being
believed: speculation about why Janie leaves with Tea Cake;
speculation about why Janie comes home; and Joe believing that
Janie poisoned him.
Although many of the characters understand the power of
talk, it is Janie who truly is able to harness that power for her own
benefit. First, Janie learns when it is worth speaking and when it is
not. She saves up her talk for when it truly will make a difference.
We see this when Janie is fighting with Joe in the store. The
narrator reflects on Janie‟s thoughts as she comes to realize her
words are ineffective and even harmful to herself, “Time came
when she fought back with her tongue as best she could, but it
didn‟t do her any good. It just made Joe do more. He wanted her
submission and he‟d keep on fighting until he felt he had it. So
gradually, she pressed her teeth together and learned to hush.”
(p.71) But when Janie has been pushed too far, after a beating over
a burnt dinner and a public tongue lashing at the store, Janie uses
her talk to get the upper hand with Joe, but more importantly, with
herself.
Janie did what she had never done before,
that is, thrust herself into the conversation.
“Sometimes God gits familiar wid us
womenfolks too and talks His inside
business. He told me how surprised He was
„bout y‟all turning out so smart after Him
makin‟ yuh different; and how surprised
y‟all is goin‟ tuh be if you ever find out you
don‟t know half as much „bout us as you
think you do. It‟s so easy to make yo‟self
out God Almighty when you ain‟t got
nothin‟ tuh strain against but women and
chickens.” (p.75)
It is during this scene that Janie truly gains her power. This is
evident in Joe‟s lack of response—he doesn‟t know what to do but
send her out of the room, “You getting‟ too moufy, Janie…Go
fetch me de checker-board and de checkers.” (p.75)
In the following scene, Janie comes to realize that the power
of language lies within her and that she alone has the ability to
make herself happy or miserable. Reflecting on her unhappy life
with Joe, she thinks, “Maybe he ain‟t nothin‟…but he is something
in my mouth. He‟s got tuh be else Ah ain‟t got nothin‟ tuh live for.
Ah‟ll lie and say he is. If Ah don‟t, life won‟t be nothin‟ but uh
store and uh house.” (p.76) It is here that she realizes talk is
believed by those who listen; that language has the power to
create reality and she is willing to lie to herself if it will help her
survive.
Janie now possesses the power of language within herself.
“She had learned how to talk some and leave some.” (p.76) She
uses her newfound power to defend herself against Joe. Again in
the store, Janie exposes Joe as an old man. Once she has her say,
“…Joe Starks realized all the meanings and his vanity bled like a
flood. Janie had robbed him of his illusion of irresistible maleness
that all men cherish, which was terrible.” (p.79)
When Janie is accused of Tea Cake‟s murder, we are again
exposed to the power of talk. As Janie looks at the “colored”
crowd in the back of the courthouse, she interprets their looks and
understands where the power lies, “…with their tongues cocked
and loaded, the only real weapon left to weak folks. The only
killing tool they are allowed to use in the presence of white folks.”
(pp.185-186) As she sits through her trial, we are privy to her
thoughts. “She was in the courthouse fighting something and it
wasn‟t death. It was worse than that. It was lying thoughts.”
(p.187) Janie has a keen sense of the importance of what people
think over the importance of the truth.
As the novel concludes, Janie demonstrates her new
understanding and peace with the power of talk as she comments
to Pheobe about the townsfolk.
Dem meatskins is got tuh rattle tuh make out
they‟s alive. Let „em consolate theyselves
wid talk…It‟s uh known fact, Pheoby, you
got tuh go there tuh know there. Yo‟ papa
and yo‟ mama and nobody else can‟t tell yuh
and show yuh
…they got tuh find out about livin‟ fuh
theyselves. (p.192)
In regard to the townspeople wanting, and needing, to believe
anything whether true or false, Janie shows that the truth is simply
up to the person creating the talk.