I was relieved that we had a smaller text this week, not to mention that we were now off the subject of poetry. However, I quickly found out when I opened the book Their Eyes were Watching God that I was very wrong about being excited. The first page alone, made me confused on the setting. After I figured that out I was slapped in the face, with souther dialect.
Reading southern dialect is difficult. It takes more time reading, and comprehending then what poetry does. I often times hear myself reading outloud and trying to decode these sounds. Even though it is difficult to read, I feel though that this is beneficial to Hurston's writing. It gives the reader a feeling of being part of the setting.
One of the parts of the story the really stood out to me was on page 9. Janie did not recognize herself in the picture. She did not know herself to be black. This part of the book reminded me of Johnson's "Autobiography of an Ex Coloured Man," He did not realize that he was black either,however, he could pass as white, whereas Janie was very dark, and most likely could not pass. This is eveident in her nickname "Alaphabet" she acquired that name because everybody called her different nicknames, which made me think about her charcetr. She ment somthing to everybody, which raised the question of where did she really belong?
The charcter Nanny reminded me of the character Mother Mason in the Brownie Book. She constantly tries to tell Janie that love will eventualy come in her marriage. She seems like a charcter with lots of knowledge. " Ah was born back due in slavery so it wasn't fir ne to fulfill my dreams of whut a woman oughta be and to do." Is a line that that really reminds me of Mother Mason, she preached about slavery and how the young generation have so many opportunities. I think that Nanny can become a well developed charachter.
The scene on page 16 also reminds me of a poem by Langston Hughes,"From Mother to Son." An older generation is telling stories of the past while the younger person is being rocked.
All ready during this reading I can find many similarities between Hurston and other authors. I'm really enjoying the novel it already has some scandel in it, unlike Nella Laren's "Passing!"
1 comment:
Oh my Lord. The southern dialect in this novel was so strong. I had to read through each sentence so slowly to try to understand what they were saying! I agree that this type of writing gives the reader a feeling of being a part of the story. I liked that part where Janie didn't really recognize herself. This also reminds me of Autobiography as well because he wasn't sure who he was. Everyone laughed as she asked who it was. Unlike Autobiography where Johnson could pass, Janie most likely could not. I agree that she meant something to everyone there because if that wasn't the case they wouldnt be laughing at the fact that she thought she was white. Yes, there are alot of parts throughout this novel so far that remind me of other writers and poets we have discussed in class. I like this novel so far as well!
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