Blog Post – David Foster Wallace and Zora Neale Hurston

David Foster Wallace’s commencement speech, “This is Water” relates to the novel “Their eyes were watching God” by Zora Neale Hurston because of the elements of being emotionally intelligent about oneself and other around you. The main thesis of being self-aware, having a choice, real freedom, and being independent are major elements of in both pieces of work. Both pieces of work, demonstrate and showcase the social construct of the world we live and make us question deeper questions of the mind and soul.

Zora Neale Hurston’s feministic self-discovery novel, “Their eyes were watching God” is about Janie Crawford and her journey for true love, true freedom, and true independence. Throughout each of her 3 marriages, to Logan Killicks, then her 20 year marriage to Jody Starks that ended in his death due to kidney problems, and finally to the man that gave her true love, Tea Cake. Janie’s journey for true love makes her more independent and self-aware of her self and what loves means for her. Janie experiences 4 different kinds of love throughout the novel. She
first experiences a maternal and protective love of her grandmother, Granny; she married Logan Killicks, where there is no ‘love’ in her marriage however the love she experiences is a protective and secure love. She ran off with Joe ‘Jody’ Starks where in the beginning, Janie thought there love was real but their love was represented by the job that Starks eventually gets; authoritative (Major). Janie is a trophy wife who has strict rules and guidelines that she cannot break. After the death of Jody, she meets Tea Cake. He represents the true love she is longing for, but she is judged for it because she is ‘too old’ for him. All these experiences made her more emotionally intelligent.


David Foster Wallace’s commencement speech, made me more aware and more thoughtful and mindful of the people around me. It highlighted how reality is harsh and people will usually always have a harder time that you, no matter what situation you are in. The book TEWWG made me more thankful of the freedom and love I feel with my family, friends and life I have.

Comments

  1. Wasif Khan5 September 2018 at 23:22

    I liked how you explained the effect the reading had on your personal thought process, as that in itself is aiding your understanding of Wallace's text and allows for your emotions to accompany you while studying "Their Eyes Were Watching God".

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  2. Suryha.M5 September 2018 at 23:23

    Great blog post mate! I really liked when you referred to TEWWG as feministic self-discovery novel. It highlights Janie's journey of love and desire throughout the text and encapsulates the importance of a women gaining independence and respect. Additionally I very much agree with your insight on how Wallace's commencement speech has opened a new perspective on the way we approach life and how the novel has created a profound appreciation for family.

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  3. Nicole Raghu5 September 2018 at 23:31

    I enjoyed reading your blogpost, especially what you said about emotional intelligence making you question the deeper aspects of life. I also agree with what you said about Janie's journey, but I think you could discuss race and its influence over the novel.

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