Their Eyes Were Watching God

by Zora Neale Hurston

Their Eyes Were Watching God: Mood 1 key example

Definition of Mood

The mood of a piece of writing is its general atmosphere or emotional complexion—in short, the array of feelings the work evokes in the reader. Every aspect of a piece of writing... read full definition
The mood of a piece of writing is its general atmosphere or emotional complexion—in short, the array of feelings the work evokes in the reader. Every aspect... read full definition
The mood of a piece of writing is its general atmosphere or emotional complexion—in short, the array of feelings the work evokes... read full definition
Chapter 6
Explanation and Analysis:

Their Eyes Were Watching God seeks to create many feelings in its reader, but there are two that stand out. First, there is a feeling of repeated liberation and revelation, as Janie finds herself and matures through her three marriages. The reader shares in Janie's feeling of constraint in each of her relationships—to Nanny, then to all three of her husbands in turn. And in contrast, the reader feels Janie's feeling of liberation when she goes to live with Logan Killicks, then her feeling of liberation when Joe Starks takes her to Eatonville, then her feeling of liberation again when Tea Cake sweeps her off her feet. Even Tea Cake's death feels like another liberation, as the plight of his illness and increasing abuse leaves Janie's life.