Control

In the novel Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston, the emphasis that is placed on the control of speech and expression proves to be the source of restriction on the identity of the main character Janie. Throughout the novel Janie struggles to find her own voice in life as she stumbles through the great horizon. The restrictions that are placed on both her knowledge and desire to find true love and her place in the world are the factors that inspire her to rebel against the traditional teachings about love and marriage. The author demonstrates on several occasions the outcomes of the restrictions that are placed on Janie's character and identity. The progression of the story reflects the quest upon which Janie is determined to find her voice, the importance of having a voice is demonstrated by Janie's struggle throughout the novel.

Throughout the novel Hurston uses the power of language to demonstrate the severity of emotions that are expressed by Janie in certain situations. From the very beginning of the novel Hurston establishes Janie as a head-strong character that has obviously done something out of the norm to provoke the opinions of bystanders. "They passed nations through their mouths. They sat in judgment. They made burning statements with questions, and killing tools out of laughs."   Hurston's use of language corresponds with Janie's quest to find her voice. Hurston deliberately places Janie in situations that provoke her identity in order for the reader to comprehend and recognize Janie's struggle to regain her voice. When Janie comes back from her journey "tuh de horizon and back" it is obvious that she has gained the strength and confidence to tell her story with her own voice to whomever she wants."Ah know exactly what ah got to tell yuh, but it's hard to know where to start at."   To show this strength Hurtson has Janie tell her best friend Phoeby the entire story.

Before she sets out to find herself, Janie first lives through...