Essay Database

Zora Neale Hurston, author of Their Eyes Were Watching God, writes of a main character using many figurative devices in the explanations of the character. Janie, the main character has a good, strong way of living her life when she can. Hurston uses Janie’s way of life and characteristics to build her up when she writes gracefully of Janie. Figurative devices by Hurston develop Janie into a strong, independent woman. Throughout the book, Hurston …

…what she wants. When she uses them in referring to Janie they are positive and they help the reader illustrate the strength of Janie. Hurston wants to tell us that Janie is a strong character, but she says it subliminally. These figurative devices are important because they work well with Hurston’s logic and writing style. Hurston gives a message about strong black women and racism, even within Janie’s hometown. submitted by Michael Holmes