I revisited my favorite book recently, and it opened the confidence and strength in myself that I didn’t even know my soul needed. I think this is a book that every girl in her early twenties needs to read. If not, at least let me tell you about it.
“Their Eyes Were Watching God” by Zora Neale Hurston is a feminist novel that inspires its audience to look within themselves for empowerment and fulfillment. The main character, Janie Starks, escapes from gender roles in three marriages during the pre-civil rights era. She was pushed into marriage by her grandmother the moment she showed signs of sexuality as a teenager. From there, she was treated for the rest of her life as a trophy by her husband, or a burden since she was a woman. Janie must conform to whatever her husband at the time expected of her, which made her lose her confidence and her self-image. She did not get to experience love on her own terms until her last marriage. Although not perfect, she gained the freedom she missed as a teenager, knowledge of herself and strength from their relationship. It is a feminist novel because of her courage to find comfort in herself and strength as a woman.
From childhood, young girls are picked apart and bullied for the way they look. Black girls especially deal with identity crises because of the lack of representation and diversity. Additionally, we end up tearing each other down. This can make a person feel like less than a person, but rather an impression of someone else. Reading this book will provide new insight, understanding and validation of the feelings you may have had growing up or feel today. It is hard to feel validated and beautiful in a world that picks you apart. Janie’s development in the story to loving herself, despite the fake love men gave her, has reinspired my path to self-love. From such a young age, we are conditioned to think that it is normal to have this self-loathing, but Hurtson paints out the struggles with image and acceptance that women face, which helped me recognize the signs in my own life.
This book is also for anyone who needs a guide to find self-actualization. After the end of Janie’s three marriages, she is the picture of a liberated Black woman. She wears her tattered clothes with pride with her hair down, and she does not feel the need to explain herself to anybody. But most of all, she is content and knows what she wants from her life. As women, we may often feel like we must explain our actions. This book walks you through the journey Janie takes to come to the realization that others’ opinions do not matter. Instead, what matters is her happiness and her peace with herself.