Their Eyes Were Watching God​ Journal/Analysis Entries

Directions​: Use the template below to write your entries. Be sure each entry is thorough. Focus
on BOTH interpretation (what does the excerpt mean) and analysis (how does the excerpt
inform/form an interpretation of the text/scene).

Journal Entry #: 2 Chapters: 6-8

Excerpt (cited) Motif Interpretation and Analysis

Religion Interpretation: ​This quote expresses the

“Naw it ain’t, it’s nature, cause
nature makes caution. It’s de
strongest thing dat God every
made, now. Fact is it’s de on
lies thing God ever made. He
made nature and nature made
everything else” (65).
motif of religion. While Janie is not the one
talking in this quote, it still expresses how
God is thought of more as an overarching
force of nature more than a typical God.
Analysis: ​The motif of religion in this book
can be seen as a sort of analogy for Janie’s
ultimate goal in life: she wants to find her
place in the world, to understand herself, and
to understand the world around her. The way
she refers to God is unlike the way many
people refer to God: she looks at Him as
though he is more than a god, that He is
simply one name for the many divine forces
of the world - sun, moon, sky, etc.. This is
parallel with the fact that there are very few
references to organized religion in this book
(at least so far). The story seems to focus
more on Janie’s spirituality more so than any
specific religion itself. This helps Janie to sort
her path through her life, showing the reader
a slightly deeper look into Janie’s mind.