Book Club Blog

Summary/Main Ideas:
The novel begins with our protagonist, Janie returning to her home town. However her return isn't what you expect. Instead of being welcomed she is gossiped about and laughed at. In spite of that, the women mocked at Janie because they are jealous of her physical prowess leading to a subjective view on her return. Even the men judgement of her return is subjective. They changed their way of judging her based on her physical body. As the book progresses, the setting of the novels visits the past. As we learn, Janie's first husband is Logan. Janie's main reason for marrying Logan however is that Logan provided is that he is well off and can financially support her. His qualities of honesty and hardworking helps their marriage but on the other hand it hurts their relationship. Throughout their marriage, Janie constantly tries to find true/real love in their relationship. Thus Janie seeks the advice of her Nanny. Her nanny a who believes in God and a former slave, defends Logan and their marriage. In spite of that, I believe the nanny perspective/view is different to Janie's. Because her nanny is a former slave, one is justified to say that her view on a husband that can support the family, content. Because her privileges of human rights was taken away from her due to slavery, her goals in life are very different for Janie's goals.




Quotes:
1) "Ships at a distance have ever man's wish on board. For some they come in with the tide. For others they sail forever on the horizon, never out of sight, never landing until the Watcher turns his eyes away in resignation, his dreams mocked to death by Time. That is the life of men" (Hurston 1).

After reading the first few chapters of the book, the first paragraph of Hurston's novel begins to seem more critical to the main theme of the book and to its title. The main protagonist Janie goes through several marriages searching for a idea of love, but with that other life values or the qualities of the "pursuit of happiness." This quotes shares Janie's values in life or for her instance her husbands (for now). The horizon symbolizes the values Janie's second husband has which is Ambition.

"Now, women forget all those things they don't want to remember, and remember everything they don't want to forget. The dream is the truth. Then they act and do things accordingly."

This is the second paragraph to Hurston's novel. I believe this quote has the same value if not more to the first paragraph. This quote main describes Janie's reasoning behind several husbands. And even some of the reasons Hurston wrote this book. It also points out the difference of goals between Men and Women. (I'll elaborate more on this when I read more).

*Currently adding more quotes :)