Their Eyes Were Watching God (Ch16+17): Power

In chapter 17 of Their Eyes Were Watching God, Hurston further discusses the role men and women play in society. In chapter 16, she reveals that Tea Cake gains popularity and respect once the men in his community know that he beats Janie regularly. Thus, Hurston portrays the setting of the novel to take place during a strongly male-dominated society which has little to no respect for women. At the same time, Hurston gives insight to Mrs. Turner's character. Since Mrs. Turner was first introduced, Hurston has divulged that Tea Cake despises her and eventually abuses Janie as a result of his frustration with Mrs. Turner. Tea Cake claims, "Ah didn't whup Janie 'cause she done nothin'. Ah beat her tuh show dem Turners who is boss" (148). Tea Cake discloses that he feels threatened by the Turners, he must beat his wife to "show dem" that he is the boss. Although Hurston barely illustrates confrontations between the Turners and Janie and Tea Cake, Tea Cake is frightened by their presence. By beating Janie, perhaps Tea Cake hopes to communicate to the Turners that he is more aggressive and dangerous than they believe. Furthermore, Tea Cake explains that he is "mad at her for thinkin" (149). Tea Cake exhibits that he dislikes women challenging his authority. He beats Janie to ensure that he controls her, but at the same time he also hopes to stop Mrs. Turner from "thinkin'." One questions what Hurston is trying to illustrate about the men and women in society in her novel Their Eyes Were Watching God. Is she foreshadowing the eventual strength and equality women will gain?