Who is the main character in Zora Neale Hurston's "Their Eyes Were Watching God"?

The main character in Zora Neale Hurston's "Their Eyes Were Watching God" is Janie Crawford. Janie is a complex character who embarks on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment throughout the novel. The narrative explores her relationships, particularly with the men in her life, and how these experiences shape her understanding of love, independence, and identity.

Hurston intricately weaves themes of gender, race, and the search for autonomy into Janie's story, making her a powerful symbol of personal growth and resilience. As Janie navigates societal expectations and ultimately defines her own voice, she represents the struggle and triumph of the human spirit. This focus on her internal journey is a central element of the novel, establishing Janie as not just a character but as a representation of broader themes relevant to African American women in the early 20th century.

The other characters mentioned, such as Celie Johnson from "The Color Purple," Ruth May from "The Poisonwood Bible," and Nestle Boatwright from "The Secret Life of Bees," are significant in their own narratives but do not relate to Hurston's work. Each of these characters comes from different novels with distinct themes and contexts, further emphasizing Janie's uniqueness and