Course outline
Module 1
Module 1: Introduction to Zora Neale Hurston
Introduction to Zora Neale Hurston
Knowledge check
Q1. Who is the author of *Their Eyes Were Watching God*?
- A. Maya Angelou
- B. Zora Neale Hurston ✓
- C. Langston Hughes
- D. Richard Wright
Why: Zora Neale Hurston is the author of *Their Eyes Were Watching God*, which is one of her most famous works.
Q2. In which decade was *Their Eyes Were Watching God* first published?
- A. 1920s
- B. 1930s ✓
- C. 1940s
- D. 1950s
Why: The novel was first published in the 1930s, specifically in 1937.
Q3. What is the main character's name in *Their Eyes Were Watching God*?
- A. Janie Mae Crawford ✓
- B. Nanny Crawford
- C. Phoeby Watson
- D. Tea Cake
Why: The main character of the novel is Janie Mae Crawford, who embarks on a journey of self-discovery.
Q4. Which of the following best describes Zora Neale Hurston's literary style?
- A. Purposely vague and abstract
- B. Rich in dialect and folklore ✓
- C. Strictly formal and academic
- D. Focused solely on historical events
Why: Hurston's literary style is known for its rich use of dialect and incorporation of African American folklore.
Q5. What is the significance of the title *Their Eyes Were Watching God*?
- A. It refers to a religious event
- B. It symbolizes the characters' awareness of a higher power during a hurricane ✓
- C. It is a reference to a book they are reading
- D. It describes the setting of the novel
Why: The title reflects the moment when the characters are aware of a higher power during the hurricane, highlighting themes of fate and divine presence.
Module 2
Module 2: Themes in Their Eyes Were Watching God
Themes in Their Eyes Were Watching God
Knowledge check
Q1. What is the central theme of *Their Eyes Were Watching God*?
- A. The importance of community
- B. The pursuit of self-discovery and independence ✓
- C. The role of religion in society
- D. The impact of war on individuals
Why: The novel focuses heavily on Janie's journey to find her own identity and achieve personal fulfillment, making self-discovery and independence central themes.
Q2. Which character represents Janie's desire for freedom and self-expression?
- A. Nanny
- B. Phoeby
- C. Joe Starks
- D. Tea Cake ✓
Why: Tea Cake encourages Janie to express herself and live life on her own terms, representing her desire for freedom and self-expression.
Q3. What does the pear tree symbolize in the novel?
- A. A place of work
- B. A symbol of Janie's dreams and aspirations ✓
- C. A representation of the town's economy
- D. A symbol of death and decay
Why: The pear tree represents Janie's idealized vision of love and fulfillment, symbolizing her dreams and aspirations.
Q4. How does Janie's relationship with Joe Starks affect her growth?
- A. It helps her become more independent
- B. It restricts her freedom and self-expression ✓
- C. It teaches her the importance of hard work
- D. It leads her to find true love
Why: Janie's relationship with Joe Starks is restrictive and stifling, preventing her from expressing herself freely and growing as an individual.
Q5. What is the significance of the hurricane in the novel?
- A. It represents the end of Janie's journey
- B. It symbolizes the destruction of Janie's dreams
- C. It serves as a test of Janie and Tea Cake's relationship ✓
- D. It represents the power of nature over humans
Why: The hurricane acts as a crucible that tests Janie and Tea Cake's relationship, ultimately leading to their personal growth and understanding of each other.
Module 3
Module 3: Character Analysis: Janie and Tea Cake
Character Analysis: Janie and Tea Cake
Knowledge check
Q1. What is Janie's full name?
- A. Janie Johnson
- B. Janie Starks ✓
- C. Janie Turner
- D. Janie Morgan
Why: Janie's full name is Janie Starks, as she marries Joe Starks.
Q2. What is the relationship between Janie and Tea Cake?
- A. Cousins
- B. Brothers
- C. Husband and Wife ✓
- D. Friends
Why: Janie and Tea Cake are husband and wife, and their relationship is central to the latter part of the novel.
Q3. How does Tea Cake earn a living at the beginning of the novel?
- A. He is a farmer
- B. He is a fisherman ✓
- C. He is a teacher
- D. He is a musician
Why: At the beginning of the novel, Tea Cake earns a living by fishing, which is a significant part of his character and background.
Q4. What does Janie do after Joe Starks dies?
- A. She moves back to Eatonville
- B. She goes back to Nanny's house
- C. She goes to live with Tea Cake ✓
- D. She returns to her parents' house
Why: After Joe Starks dies, Janie goes to live with Tea Cake, marking a new chapter in her life.
Q5. What is one of the main themes of the relationship between Janie and Tea Cake?
- A. Jealousy and betrayal
- B. Love and independence ✓
- C. Power and control
- D. Wealth and status
Why: One of the main themes of Janie and Tea Cake's relationship is love and independence, as they both seek personal fulfillment and autonomy.
Module 4
Module 4: Narrative Style and Voice
Narrative Style and Voice
Knowledge check
Q1. What narrative perspective is primarily used in *Their Eyes Were Watching God*?
- A. First person
- B. Third person limited ✓
- C. Third person omniscient
- D. Second person
Why: The story is told from the perspective of Janie's thoughts and feelings, which is characteristic of third person limited.
Q2. Which character's voice is most prominently featured in the novel?
- A. Nanny
- B. Janie ✓
- C. Phoeby
- D. Joe Starks
Why: Janie's voice and internal monologue are central to the narrative, especially in the sections where she reflects on her life.
Q3. What is the primary function of the dialect used by Hurston's characters?
- A. To confuse the reader
- B. To emphasize the characters' social status
- C. To preserve and celebrate African American culture ✓
- D. To make the story more humorous
Why: Hurston uses dialect to authentically represent African American speech and to highlight the cultural richness of the characters' backgrounds.
Q4. Which literary device does Hurston use to convey Janie's inner thoughts and emotions?
- A. Allegory
- B. Stream of consciousness ✓
- C. Symbolism
- D. Foreshadowing
Why: Hurston employs a stream of consciousness style to delve into Janie's internal world and emotional experiences.
Q5. What does the pear tree symbolize in Janie's life?
- A. Her relationship with Nanny
- B. Her dreams and aspirations ✓
- C. Her marriage to Joe
- D. Her journey to Eatonville
Why: The pear tree represents Janie's idealized vision of love, growth, and fulfillment, which she later seeks in her relationships.
Module 5
Module 5: Historical Context of the Harlem Renaissance
Historical Context of the Harlem Renaissance
Knowledge check
Q1. Who was a key figure in the Harlem Renaissance and also a contemporary of Zora Neale Hurston?
- A. Langston Hughes ✓
- B. W.E.B. Du Bois
- C. Harriet Tubman
- D. Martin Luther King Jr.
Why: Langston Hughes was a prominent poet and a central figure in the Harlem Renaissance, and he was a contemporary of Zora Neale Hurston.
Q2. What was one of the main goals of the Harlem Renaissance?
- A. To promote African American culture and arts ✓
- B. To end World War I
- C. To establish a new political party
- D. To create a unified European identity
Why: The Harlem Renaissance aimed to celebrate and promote African American culture, arts, and intellectual achievements during the 1920s.
Q3. Which of the following was NOT a common theme in the works of Zora Neale Hurston during the Harlem Renaissance?
- A. Racial identity
- B. Feminism
- C. Urban life in Harlem ✓
- D. Southern Black folklore
Why: While Hurston wrote about racial identity, feminism, and Southern Black folklore, she was more focused on rural Southern Black life rather than urban life in Harlem.
Q4. What was the significance of the 1920s in the context of the Harlem Renaissance?
- A. It was the decade when the Harlem Renaissance began ✓
- B. It was a time of economic depression for African Americans
- C. It was the decade when the Harlem Renaissance ended
- D. It was when African Americans were banned from the United States
Why: The 1920s marked the beginning and peak of the Harlem Renaissance, a cultural, social, and artistic explosion centered in Harlem, New York.
Q5. Which literary movement was the Harlem Renaissance closely associated with?
- A. Modernism ✓
- B. Romanticism
- C. Realism
- D. Neoclassicism
Why: The Harlem Renaissance was closely associated with Modernism, as it reflected the era's experimentation with form, themes, and perspectives in literature and the arts.
Module 6
Module 6: Symbolism and Imagery in the Novel
Symbolism and Imagery in the Novel
Knowledge check
Q1. What does the hurricane symbolize in *Their Eyes Were Watching God*?
- A. A new beginning
- B. The power of nature and the unpredictability of life ✓
- C. A test of character
- D. A sign of God's judgment
Why: The hurricane represents the uncontrollable forces of nature and life, highlighting the characters' vulnerability and the unpredictability of their destinies.
Q2. What does the pear tree symbolize in Janie's life?
- A. A place of work
- B. A symbol of Janie's dreams and aspirations ✓
- C. A symbol of her marriage to Logan Killicks
- D. A symbol of her isolation
Why: The pear tree symbolizes Janie's dreams and the idealized vision of love and fulfillment she longs for.
Q3. What does the mule symbolize in the novel?
- A. A symbol of freedom
- B. A symbol of oppression and hard labor ✓
- C. A symbol of Janie's independence
- D. A symbol of love
Why: The mule represents the burden of oppression and the harsh labor that characters like Joe Starks impose on others, reflecting the social and personal struggles in the story.
Q4. What does the horizon represent in *Their Eyes Were Watching God*?
- A. A place of death
- B. A symbol of the past
- C. A symbol of Janie's journey and personal growth ✓
- D. A symbol of poverty
Why: The horizon represents Janie's journey of self-discovery, personal growth, and the pursuit of her own dreams and identity.
Q5. What does the sound of the sea represent in the novel?
- A. A symbol of danger
- B. A symbol of freedom and the unknown ✓
- C. A symbol of Janie's loneliness
- D. A symbol of death
Why: The sound of the sea represents freedom, the unknown, and the possibility of new beginnings, reflecting Janie's desire for autonomy and self-realization.
Module 7
Module 7: Critical Perspectives on Hurston's Work
Critical Perspectives on Hurston's Work
Knowledge check
Q1. What is the central theme of *Their Eyes Were Watching God*?
- A. The importance of education
- B. The search for identity and self-discovery ✓
- C. The role of religion in African American life
- D. The impact of war on individuals
Why: The novel focuses on Janie's journey to find her own voice and identity, which is central to the theme of self-discovery.
Q2. Which literary movement is Zora Neale Hurston associated with?
- A. Modernism
- B. Harlem Renaissance ✓
- C. Romanticism
- D. Existentialism
Why: Hurston was a key figure in the Harlem Renaissance, a cultural movement that celebrated African American art, literature, and music.
Q3. What does the pear tree symbolize in *Their Eyes Were Watching God*?
- A. Fertility and growth
- B. Freedom and escape
- C. Love and romance ✓
- D. Death and decay
Why: The pear tree symbolizes Janie's idealized vision of love and romance, which she later experiences with Tea Cake.
Q4. What is the significance of the hurricane in the novel?
- A. It represents the end of Janie's journey
- B. It symbolizes the destruction of Janie's dreams
- C. It represents the power of nature over human life ✓
- D. It is a metaphor for the racial oppression in the South
Why: The hurricane represents the overwhelming power of nature and the challenges Janie and Tea Cake face, ultimately leading to their tragic end.
Q5. How does Hurston portray the character of Janie in the novel?
- A. As a weak and passive woman
- B. As a strong and independent woman ✓
- C. As a traditional and obedient wife
- D. As a detached observer of life
Why: Hurston portrays Janie as a woman who seeks independence, self-realization, and personal fulfillment, which is a significant theme in the novel.