what does the mule represent in tewwg

the mule does not represent janie. Janie's literal voice and ability to speak represent her freedom and empowerment as a woman. Janie steps in to defend the mule recognizing the similarities. At the mule’s dragging out, who questions, “What killed this man” and who answers, “Bare, bare fat.” Why is Janie in a bad mood after the dragging out? Matt Bonner’s yellow mule was constantly working until Jody essentially bought his liberty. RexRych. We'll make guides for February's winners by March 31st—guaranteed. "My students can't get enough of your charts and their results have gone through the roof." Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Jody is a man of wealth, but he struggles to display his love adequately-he does not know how to show it properly. Sam tells Matt that his mule is in trouble by the lake. The image of the mule emerges repeatedly in different contexts throughout the novel, but remains consistent in its figurative meaning as a symbol of victimization and bondage. Because the people were so fond of Tea Cake, Janie stays a few more weeks in the Everglades, but home to her is still Eatonville. Mules are the symbol of Janie throughout her marriages because like a mule, she is bought by different men. De nigger woman is de mule uh de world so fur as Ah can see” (Hurston 15). The animal with the greatest symbolic charge in this novel is the mule. The hurricane itself does not kill Tea Cake, but if it were not for the hurricane he would not have been bit by the dog that killed him. Because if Janie stays with him, she will die. The abused yellow mule symbolizes mistreatment and suppression that Janie and women like her face. The horizon, the pear tree, the mule, and the hurricane. Janie’s grandmother marries her off without taking into account love as an important factor for happiness. Many of the characters strive to obtain power and agency, often by means of using one another, as they navigate the demands of their social hierarchy. With Logan and especially with Jody, her voice is suppressed, but with Tea Cake she is able to speak. In the novel Their Eyes were watching God Zora Neale Hurston portrays a woman named Janie's search for love and freedom. My students love how organized the handouts are and enjoy tracking the themes as a class.”, Note: all page numbers and citation info for the quotes below refer to the Harper Perennial edition of. Their Eyes Were Watching God is a great book, and enjoyed it very much. Five strategies to maximize your sales kickoff Although Joe initiates in saving the mule by purchasing its freedom from Matt and acts like he cares for its well-being, he continues to exploit the mule like the others. Although Janie does not speak when Matt Bonner's mule is mistreated, she finally "thrusts into the conversation" when she sees a real woman being treated like a mule. She wanted to fight about it” (57) —> helpless things are all the victim’s of the men’s oppression in a society where women are not given a voice —-> WHICH DEVICES DOES THE AUTHOR USE TO HIGHLIGHT Janie’s feelings? The mule’s death eventually becomes a symbol of the strain between Jody and Janie’s relationship and Janie’s realization for the first time of her resentment of Jody’s patriarchal presence and assertion of dominance over her yearn for independence and equality. What does Joe standing on the dead mule represent? Women are associated with this mule because the men in Eatonville made them work hard and they were not treated fairly (49). The abused yellow mule symbolizes mistreatment and suppression that Janie and women like her face. Janie also relates to the mule characteristically. Our Moosmosis site is run 100% by volunteers from around the world. Read More. What does the symbol mean? Janie's literal voice and ability to speak represent her freedom and empowerment as a woman. The head rag that Janie wears in the novel is a symbol of suppression … And here is where mentally, she starts to draw a parallel between herself/the archetypal African American woman and the mule. Figurative Language Used in the Novel "Their Eyes Were Watching God". Hurston uses the image of the mule to comment on the disparity between speech and silence in the life of Janie Crawford Killicks Starks Woods (Haurykiewicz, par.). To impress Janie, Jody then buys the mule and is praised by the town. Check out our team's award-winning youth education site @moosmosis.org Published in 1937, it was revolutionary for readers to explore themes of love, language, gender, and spirituality through the eyes of a young Black woman. Mules symbolize that women like Janie are treated badly, and that they are treated little better than animals. All but Janie.” (56) —> Janie sees how the mule us tortures and subconsciously makes a connection between herself and the mule —> it hurts her to watch the scene and she leaves, thinking “they ought be ashamed of themselves, treating that pure beast lak they do” (56) —> Janie feels ashamed and disappointed of her husband and the villagers, and can’t escape a feeling of familiarity —> thinks of the mule “done been worked to death; done had his disposition ruint with mistreatment” (56) and suddenly  sees the parallel between herself and the mule, and realizes that just as her 2 husbands were exploiting her and obliging to work in the store, the mule also had to “waist his life and time” (54) on the desires of his master —> looks around herself with a new vision “people ought to have some regard for helpless things. The expression: “as stubborn as a mule” can be applied to Janie’s decisions. The horizon to Janie. The image of the mule emerges repeatedly in different contexts throughout the novel, but remains consistent in its figurative meaning as a symbol of victimization and bondage. The mule symbolizes Janie who is trapped in her marriage with Jody. She was continually put down and emotionally “kicked and slapped.” Women during the 1930’s were thought as useless, that they could put nothing forward. Janie’s new found assertiveness over her life, taking charge of her own survival. Matt Bonner's mule also represents mistreatment and betrayal. She works like a mule … Shauna wants to use facts from a government website in her speech. , Categories: education, History, Literature, Social Studies, Tagged as: analysis, AP English, ap literature, book, book review, college, high school, History, literary analysis, literary criticism, literary essay, Literature, novel, Symbol, symbolism, their eyes were watching god, theme, university, women, zora neale hurston, Passionate about lifelong learning, global health, and education! Buys Janie a mule (which represents her as a crossbreed, work driven creature who bares the weight of the world) Kills Janie's first dream. ” (Chapter 1, p.14). Recognized by United Nations Academic Impact The Mule just wants it’s independence, and is constantly trying to run away. Teach your students to analyze literature like LitCharts does. The image of the mule first appears when. Why does Joe Starks have to die? Get an answer for 'What does the pear tree symbolize in Their Eyes Were Watching God?' Symbolism In Their Eyes Were Watching God By Zora Neale Hurston 1914 Words | 8 Pages. Nanny says, "De nigger woman is de mule uh de world" (Hurston 14). 2. Why does Jody buy the mule? However, this does not satisfy Janie and she steps outside of these protective to boundaries to make her own decisions and pursue her own life. Thus, she returns from the Everglades in the overalls she wore to work on the muck. Done been worked tuh death; done had his disposition ruint wid mistreatment, and now they got tuh finish deveilin’ im tuh death.” And I think her most important sentence is “Wisht Ah had mah way wid ‘em all.”. There is obviously a relationship through symbolism between Janie and the Mule. The symbol of sustaining life becomes embodied by this mule. I don’t think it was hard for her to leave Logan because she did not love him. The mule scene in Their Eyes Were Watching God is rather well-known.We have begun to discuss what we think mules symbolize in class but in your writing tonight, I want you to … You’re very kind. TEWWG Chapter 4 Questions: What can you infer about Janie and Logan’s marriage from the mule-buying episode? The liberated mule later dies and, and a funeral occurs, where Jody refuses to let Janie attend. Freein’ dat mule makes uh mighty big man outa you. Callous, brutal treatment of the mule reflects the brutal unfair treatment that Janie faces as well. What does Janie’s hair symbolize?, What does the mule symbolize?, What does the Porch Symbolize?, What do Horizon’s represent? Joe demands Janie's complete compliance and he continues to dominate her. STUDY. LitCharts Teacher Editions. that is what Janie's grandmother did not want for her. With Logan and especially with Jody, her voice is suppressed, but with Tea Cake she is able to speak. Watson’s mule was worked hard and was not fed properly so he didn’t look healthy. The mule as a symbol does … Teasin’ dat poor brute beast lak they is! Ah been praying’ fun it tuh be different for you. THE MULE/DONKEY: The mule represents Janie and women in general. Perhaps it represents life, for the average black person, during the time. Test. Her monologue is reflective of not only the plight of African American women, but also of African Americans as a group. Janie is compared to a mule in the first half of the book because mules also usually are looked down upon and not heard from. Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. (including. She does so to great effect and by utilizing this technique, she is able to portray the values and ideals of Janie Mae Crawford and her husband’s. The first mule shows up when janie marries Logan. The mule is a symbol of the control that men have over things. The obvious comparison between an overworked, maltreated, and yet still stubborn mule reveals the undying hope and persistent independence of the black women, who continued to dream of mutual respect despite the beatings and ultimatums of their husbands. Study Questions 1. The girl senses that she must inevitably face the doubled amount oppression as a result of her social and domestic role. Why does Jody buy the mule? Zora Neale Hurston's novel, "Their Eyes Were Watching God," published in 1937, is full of figurative language that illustrates Janie, the protagonist in the novel. He buys the mule from Matt Bonner. 7 benefits of working from home; Jan. 26, 2021. The choice to take control over her life begins to shift the metaphor of woman and mule. Mentioned frequently throughout “Their Eyes Were Watching God”, the mule obviously represents the carrier of heavy loads and burdens, but it can also—and does—represent stubborn resistance. Jody disapproves of Janie listening and associating herself with them, and also demands her to wear a head-rag to hide her beautiful hair from other men. ... What does "their eyes were watching God" mean? 2. A second image of a mule exists in the novel. What has supposedly happened with the mule? I mean, I totally get that the mule is meant to represent Joe's desire to please Janie as well as his seeming omnipotence, and I get that the buzzards are meant to mirror the townspeople, waiting on their leader to begin their ceremony. SHe's worked like a mule in both their lives. Ultimately, this association functions as a microcosm for the greater meaning of the novel – the need of improving the humiliating and helpless role of a black American woman in the society of the 1940s. The figure of the mule can also refer not only to Janie herself but to any black woman struggling for independence. Mules are used to represent the role of women in the world and then changes to represent Jody. Symbolism in Their Eyes Were Watching God Zora Neale Hurston underscores her timeless classic, Their Eyes Were Watching God with several important symbols.The most prominent five of these are the pear tree, Janie’s hair, the horizon, death, and the hurricane. Mules symbolize that women like Janie are treated badly, and that they are treated little better than animals. Alyssa Cunningham and Maddie Abbot. How does the symbol evolve? He hand it to his womenfolks. Something like George Washington and Lincoln…. The mule is constantly being chased by Matt, however it escapes in desperation for independence. Symbolism in Their Eyes Were Watching God Zora Neale Hurston underscores her timeless classic, Their Eyes Were Watching God with several important symbols.The most prominent five of these are the pear tree, Janie’s hair, the horizon, death, and the hurricane. The original text plus a side-by-side modern translation of. Start studying Their Eyes Were Watching God - Chapter 6. In the mule scene, Hurston is showing a relationship between the mule and Janie. Describe the “dragging out” for the mule. How does Hurston personify the mule? Write. As an African American woman, Janie recognizes that her voice and perspectives are worth very little, and she is powerless to stop the group of men from taunting; it takes Jody, a powerful male who has authority and offers money for the mule, for them to stop harassing it. Janie’s hair is a central image in the book. What is the symbol ranked and why? "Janie loved the conversation and sometimes she thought up good stories on the mule… He holds a ceremony where they “mocked everything human in death,” or mocked the mule with a sarcastic eulogy of their most distinguished departed citizen. Mules are the symbol of Janie throughout her marriages because like a mule, she is bought by different men. Their Eyes Were Watching God is primarily a novel about love, the transcendent nature of love, and how it affects one’s identity and independence. Janie’s grandmother clearly illustrated what Janie would become and how the mule clearly symbolizes and relates to her granddaughter. Remembering the wise words of Nanny after experiencing the oppression of her two husbands, Janie begins to see the ironic connection between the black women and the “mules of the world.” She suddenly realizes that she has the burden of not only being a women, of not only being black, but of being a black American women. Finally, she steps outside of the chains of society, grows as a character, and expresses the greatest meaning of the novel: Quote 2: “It’s so easy to make yo’ self out God Almighty when you ain’t got nothin’ tuh strain against but women and chickens.”(Chapter 2, p.75), but it is so hard to stay unprejudiced and kind when one oneself is oppressed and represents a full cup of anger that is ready to spill. Joe joins in the hilarious parody, but Janie does what Joe tells her to do: She stays in the store. What does it represent? What type of character is she implying he is? The Mule symbolizes Janie's life with Logan Killicks and then her life with Joe Starks. Their Eyes Were Watching God, Hurston describes the horizon as possibilities and opportunities. Despite their technical liberation from the white man, the white men have already wrought havoc. But now, the sun and the bossman were gone, so the skins felt powerful and human. Summary. THE MULE/DONKEY: The mule represents Janie and women in general. Janie wanted to be with Joe, so she left her husband. 4) Explain how the incident is significant: a) How does this relate to Nanny’s saying and Logan Killicks treating Janie as a workhorse? I don't think the mule represents anybody or anything. And there is nothing in the world more dangerous than long suppressed emotions that ultimately, as Langston Hughes had foreseen, explode in violence. Zora Neale Hurston’s cast of characters in Their Eyes Were Watching God demonstrates the complicated gender dynamics of Black Americans in the early twentieth century. In the book, the mule is a highly talked about old animal which … which element is she adding to her speech? ( Log Out /  read analysis of Mule The Hurricane The hurricane symbolizes the all-powerful force of nature, which trumps even the most intense exertions of power by humans, such as Jody 's abusive need for control, or Mrs. Turner 's sense of racial hierarchy… The town’s critique at the very beginning of the novel demonstrates that it is considered undignified for a woman of Janie’s age to wear her hair down. When ah come round de lake ‘bout noontime mah wife and some others had ‘im flat on the ground usin’ his sides fuh uh washboard.” The great clap of laughter that they have been holding in, bursts out. When the mule dies, the people drag it out to the swamps to have a mocking funeral. The new role of the mule, as the object of sustaining life, matches Janie’s new found individuality. Mentioned frequently throughout “Their Eyes Were Watching God”, the mule obviously represents the carrier of heavy loads and burdens, but it can also—and does—represent stubborn resistance. Janie, throughout the novel, bounces through three different marriages, with a brief stint at being a widow in between. They're like having in-class notes for every discussion!”, “This is absolutely THE best teacher resource I have ever purchased. They were staring at the truth. Maybe it's some place way off in de ocean where de black man is in power, but we don't know nothin' but what we see…De nigger woman is de mule uh de world so fur as Ah can see. How he "stands on" the black population to raise himself up. Because the white landlords degrade the African American men, crumple their dignity, and make it impossible for them to express their rage without facing drastic consequences, they motivate quiet hatred. You've probably heard the old saying about someone being stubborn as a mule. Thank you Athena! Janie's head wrap. She explains to Janie that throughout history African American women have been forced to work similar to mules. Janie feels ashamed and frustrated when she sees the mule made fun of. You better go see ‘bout him. Symbols in TEWWG. Jody buys the mule not because he is heart-wrenched by the mule’s devastating plight but because he wants to impress Janie. Joe told her things she wanted to hear. One man named Lum concludes that the mule, being a spirited creature, saw death coming and fought to the end—which is why he was found in such an unnatural position. The mule serves to symbolize Janie and her struggle with Joe. The mule in the book is a symbol for the black women. Janie despises working at the store, only looking forward to the entertaining stories and chats of the people sitting on the porch. Then, Joe does something unexpected. How does Hurston personify the mule? But he does not tell Janie this; he simply commands her to wear the head-rag. Eventually, the mule dies with its legs stuck straight up in the air. brilliantly written essay on the symbolism of the mule in Their Eyes Were Watching God . What is its purpose? How awesome, Ana! The mule represents the feminine gender role in the story by which men suppress and degrade women who are stereotyped as unable to think for themselves and needing constant guidance from men. Struggling with distance learning? Mules and other brutes had occupied their skins. This essay or any portion thereofmay not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoeverwithout the express written permission of the publisher. It represents being trapped by Jody, which they both have in common. represents male dominance in Janie's life, her inability to decide her own path. Learn. “They oughta be ashamed of theyselves! Answers 1. Flashcards. Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. PLAY. Answered by jill d #170087 6 years ago 2/8/2015 6:28 PM. Ten songs that represent 'Their Eyes were Watching God" Here Comes Your Man by Meaghan Smith Compass by Lady Antebellum A bittersweet song that represents the time when Joe hit Janie. For some they come in with the tide. 2. Maybe it’s some place way off in de ocean where de black man is in power, but we don’t know nothin’ but what we see. How does Hurston personify the mule? The women of the town are washing clothes by the lake and are using the mule’s ribs for a washboard. Perfect timing and awesome essay, we just started reading the book in class! Joe Starks. ", Instant downloads of all 1408 LitChart PDFs Horizon The horizon represents Janie’s dream for change and the improvement of her life. Janie related to the mule and sympathized with it, which … Women go through a process of self-discovery which can be both hindered and aided by the people around them. :), Join Moosmosis and our wonderful lifelong learning community today! Similarly, on the hierarchy of society, Janie and her fellow black women are depicted on the lowest rungs of society. Motivational Quote of the Day: “Success is not final; failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.” ~Winston S. Churchill, Motivational Quote of the Day: “I failed my way to success.” ~Thomas Edison. Why does Hurston repeat Joe’s “big voice” wish? The mule is constantly mocked and seen as a lowly creature. The first mule shows up when janie marries Logan. Gravity. Janie’s personal choice does degrade her to a lower standard of living and a harder lifestyle. Throughout her seven years of marriage, Janie begins to resent Jody’s oppression and then later defends Mrs. Tony and women, who face hierarchical oppression by men. The men initiate the teasing of the mule —> the poor brute “has more spirit left than body” (56), but still stubbornly struggles against the beatings of the villagers (just like poor African American women struggle to maintain their dignity when the men confine them to the domestic sphere and suppress their voice) —> “Everybody was having fun at the mule-baiting. English, 21.06.2019 20:30, im1stupid1asf. Quote 1: "These sitters had been tongueless, earless, eyeless conveniences all day long. Unlike the other people in the town, Janie is the only one concerned about the fate of the mule, perhaps unconsciously empathizing with the symbolic animal. Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. "Janie loved the conversation and sometimes she thought up good stories on the mule… She explains to Janie that throughout history African American women have been forced to work similar to mules. Zora Neale Hurston makes a close connection between mules and burdens in her novel, Their Eyes Were Watching God. The symbol appears on the very first page where Hurston writes, “Ships at a distance have every man’s wish on board. Created by. ( Log Out /  Please Like our Facebook page to support our open-access youth education initiatives! There is obviously a relationship through symbolism between Janie and the Mule. Blog. Similarly, on the hierarchy of society, Janie and her fellow black women are depicted on the lowest rungs of society. While the mistreatment that Janie endures is primarily emotional, the abuse that the mule experiences is mostly physical. It represents being trapped by Jody, which they both have in common. Hurston chose the mule as a symbol instead of another animal because the mule is predominately an animal meant for labor and nothing else. In “Their Eyes Were Watching God” most of the symbols are just about nature and are quick to see. Joe Starks. Many of them worked manual labor jobs, much like a beast of burden. Although they face physical restraint, their spiritual mentality thrives, in which the mule “had more sprite left than body” and thus the parallel in which Janie internally refuses to obey Jody and his dominance. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. The freed mule becomes the talk of the town, and the people imagine him doing a great many comic things. Our. She thought the person that loved her would never hit her. "Honey, de white man is de ruler of everything as fur as Ah been able tuh find out. Why does Jody insist that Janie keep her hair up in a head-rag? The mule is constantly mocked and seen as a lowly creature. Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on LitCharts. The names Logan Killicks, Jody Starks, and Vergible “Tea Cake” Wood, all contain profound significance and with their incorporation into the novel, Hurston creates a unique and profound method of characterization. He’s bad off…. Janie has had enough and she does not want to be with Logan. Study some of the passages in which mules are used as symbolic representations and make an argument about which reading you find more compelling and why. The hurricane symbolizes the all-powerful force of nature, which trumps even the most intense exertions of power by humans, such as Jody 's abusive need for control, or Mrs. Turner 's sense of racial hierarchy, or Tea Cake's physical strength. The mule finally dies of old age, and the townspeople stage an elaborate mock funeral service before they leave the carcass to buzzards.

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