Their Eyes Were Watching God Argument

4/16/2012

Their Eyes Were Watching God Argument

The movie "Their Eyes Were Watching God" was a dark romantic movie where the main character, Janie had problems finding the love she has been wanting. Throughout the movie she experiences relations with different men. Only one man was able to make her happy and live life to the fullest. Two of the men in her earlier relationships demanded for her to be the wife to their standards. Both of them demanded her to cook for them and to help out physically. As this might be appropriate in this time of age, many women are not expected to fulfill Janie's tasks in the twenty first century. Women are far more independent in today's world. They also have more rights. With this being recognized, men should have more respect for women. It is important for both women and men to understand the new found rights that have been granted to women in the world. We are not as weak and fragile as we used to be in the past. Throughout history, women began to become stronger as life has put us to the test. Women are needed in this world, and men would not be so advanced if it were not for the strong ladies to be by their side.

Throughout Janie's relationship, each man had treated her differently. As a girl maturing into a woman, she was constrained due to her hidden unhappiness with her relationships. With this being said, what defines a real man in a relationship? One that has control over everything his woman does? Or is it one that respects his partner and makes the both of them live their life to the fullest?

Women have a lot more control over their lives in this day in age. In one of the beginning chapters in the movie, Janie appears to be enlightened by her surroundings and the nature that thrived within it. Despite her being in tune with nature, a young man by the name of Johnny Taylor managed to captivate her as he strolled down the dirt path. With their smiles exchanged, Janie quickly runs up to him with excitement. The young couple then locks eyes and engage in an intimate kiss. Moments later, Nanny witnesses the whole scene, and with disappointment, she tugs Janie away. Janie's grandmother felt the need to set up an arranged marriage for her. Statistics show that only four percent of marriages are arranged in the United States. Women generally have a right to choose who they might want to marry. They certainly do have more choices and freedom than they did back in Janie's era. Choices and options do not exactly mean that you are independent, but it is one step closer to it.

Women are constantly over looked and unappreciated for the things that they do. A decent number of females are more than willing to help their partner in whatever they are planning to do. Janie showed that with her first husband, Logan Killicks. She also offered to go with him into town to get the supplies that he had needed. Sadly, Killicks demands what kind of dinner he wants when he gets back home, and tells her to perform feminine duties such as cooking. One might argue that the divorce rate is constantly staggering upwards and things were somewhat better in the past. In the past, it was constantly looked down upon for a woman to leave her man, especially if children were involved. I believe that women are constantly getting divorces now because men are still trying to be controlling, but women now have the option to leave and support themselves for this is their right. In today's day in age, when you are not happy with your life style or the individual you are with, everyone is entitled to leave if they wish to do so. Janie left her first marriage because she was not happy with him, and she also had thoughts on leaving Joe Starks after he began controlling her. Even though there were no papers to be signed by Logan and Janie, she left their marriage, and I consider that to be an improper divorce.

Joe Starks walks into Janie's life at an opportune time. She is regretting her marriage to Logan Killicks and hankering to explore the world outside her gate. She soon runs away with a dashing man, and she falls deeply in love with him. He soon becomes mayor and she feels the need to support him by helping built the town of Eatonville. When the town was finally finished, Starks decided to deliver a speech. She stood proudly beside him until Amos requested for her to speak. When she was about to say her first words, Starks rudely interrupts and states "Thank you for your compliments, but Mrs. Starks don't know nothin' bout no speech-makin'. I didn't marry her for nothin' like that." Janie is terribly unsatisfied by her husband's words and decided to remain silent.

In today's age, women have more respect from the people and their husbands than they did in Janie's time. Women such as Michelle Obama, Sarah Palin, and Hillary Clinton are expected to deliver speeches about important political issues regarding the United States. These women are allowed to speak of our politics unlike Janie

In one scene of the movie, Janie happens to upset her husband by cutting the tobacco for a customer incorrectly. Her husband insults her and calls her old, and she responds "You talk a lot of brass, Joe, but there here's nothin' big about you but your voice! Hell, when you pull down yo' britches it look like you done hit the change of life!" Due to his frustration, he then chases her out the store and slaps her across the face. The locals all stare without helping Janie, even when she was obviously physically abused by her husband. If Janie would have been slapped by her husband in public in today's age, Starks would have been charged of assault and battery, thus, resulting in jail time. Men can not lay their hands on a woman like they have been doing for centuries. Women have the right to self defense. They also have the right to press charges against any man that she feels have performed