Poetry Device Artwork by Anna Watkins

Book Cover by Joel Mellor

 STEP 1

STEP 2 

STEP 3

Literary Critique by Alex Snyder

“Through the Trials”

“Their Eyes Were Watching God” is a one of a kind story. It’s a story that was written in 1937  By Zora Neale Hurston. This was Hurston’s first official novel and other critics say it’s the best one by Hurston. The story has an adventurous tone of love; it’s all about Janie (the main character) and her love life. Before I started to read the book I was not expecting what I found, I was expecting something a little more settle. As I reviewed the story I found one question to stick out in my mind. How awful were woman treated? Janie struggles to find a place for herself by taking a spiritual journey toward love and self-awareness, throughout this story Jody (her first love) attempts to achieve fulfillment through power. He tries to gain control over everyone and everything around him; he exercises his authority hoping to overtake his environment to his will. He thinks under the illusion he can control the world around him and that, by doing so, he will achieve some sense of profound fulfillment he likes to control Janie as a first step. Tea Cake (her second love) also controlling, for example, is filled with hubris as the hurricane whips up, certain that he can survive the storm through his mastery of muck. For both Jody and Tea Cake, the natural world reveals the limits of human power. In Jody’s case, as disease sets in, he begins to lose the illusion that he can control his world; the loss of authority over Janie as she talks back to him furthers this disillusionment. In Tea Cake’s case, he is forced to flee the hurricane and struggles to survive the floods. The karma set in for them both. Janie is a strong woman yet she still is forced by both the men that she loves to be more of a waitress and mistress to them. I often wonder why Hurston decided to write about love that goes wrong not only once but twice, why Janie was treated so wrong both times she fell in love. I’ve come to conclusion in two ways, one, Hurston experienced something similar and wrote about her experiences or how woman were treated in those times or two, she just wrote about it to make the story more interesting. As I reviewed some symbols I decided that the Horizon was my favorite one, I thought that it was the most unique. The horizon represents freedom and possibility for Janie, it’s something that Janie doesn’t have but dreams of. The horizon is Janie’s hope and it’s what Janie achieves at the end of the book but she has to go through the trouble of being un respected by men first. I also thought that the hurricane was a symbol of life’s troubles; I thought that the hurricane represented the boys in Janie’s life, Jody and Tea Cake. I thought this because a hurricane is destructive and so is the boys to Janie, they destroy their love for their own deeds and goods and that hurts Janie in return. They are not respectful to Janie at all. Janie’s hair is another symbol, it shows her power and unconventional identity; it represents her strength and individuality. Janie hair represents her independence and defiance of the community standards. 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. Her refusal to bow down to their standards clearly reflects her strong, rebellious spirit. That’s what gets Janie through the whole story and all her struggles is her strength. Janie is a strong woman and one that doesn’t give up on life; she goes through the trials and tribulations and does what she has to do. I respect Janie for that.

After reading this story I decided to give it a six out of ten. I decided that because I thought that the story was very hard to read and I thought that Hurston went on too long about Janie’s love life. I do however admire how strong of a character Janie is and I thought that the story in all had a good theme.

Written by:  Alex Snyder

Soundtrack by Abigail Levy

“The Way We Were” by Alan and Marilyn Bergman        

Memories, light the corners of my mind
Misty watercolor memories of the way we were.
Scattered pictures of the smiles we left behind
smiles we give to one another
for the way we were.
Can it be that it was all so simple then
or has time rewritten every line?
If we had the chance to do it all again
tell me would we? Could we?
Memories, may be beautiful and yet
what's too painful to remember
we simply choose to forget
So it's the laughter we will remember
whenever we remember
the way we were.

           
Janie begins the story by remembering her life and the memories that she has.  Pheoby is very impressed and in awe of all that Janie has gone through.

  

A Religious Man written by Mr. Loco

I am I am, I am I am
I think I am
I thank I am
I'm glad I am
I'm proud I am
A real religious man

As I realized
The mightiest friend
Can separate
A chance from fate
Cause you have all
I need to take
That's why I think I am I am I am
(Whoa)
[ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/m/mr_loco/religious_man.html ]
Cause I have prayed
I just behave
Cause saints and sinners
Are quite the same
Cause it's my temple
The whole wide world
That's why I think I am I am

I am I am, I am I am
I Think I am
I thank I am
I'm proud I am
A real religious man

I am I am
I am I am
I pray I am
I feel I am
Oh Lord I am
God knows I am
A real religious man

I am I am,
I am I am
I pray I am
I feel I am
Oh lord I am
God knows I am
A real religious man
A real religious man
A real religious man...

This song relates because it talks about being religious.  While Nanny is not a man, she does hold firmly to her beliefs.  She tries to enforce these beliefs on Janie at the beginning of the story.

“Home” by Alan Menken

Yes, I made the choice
For papa, I will stay
But I don't deserve to lose my freedom in this way
You monster!
If you think that what you've done is right, well then
You're a fool!
Think again!
Is this home?
Is this where I should learn to be happy?
Never dreamed
That a home could be dark and cold
I was told
Ev'ry day in my childhood:
Even when you grow old
Home should be where the heart is
Never where words so true!
My heart's far, far away
Home is too
Is this home
Is this what I must learn to believe in
Try to find
Something good in this tragic place
Just in case
I should stay here forever
Held in this empty place
Oh, that won't be easy
I know the reason why
My heart's far, far away
Home's alike
What I'd give to return
To the life that I knew lately
But I know now I can't
All my problems going by
Is this home?
Am I here for a day or forever?
Shut away
From the world until who knows when
Oh, but then
As my life has been altered once
It can change again
Build higher walls around me
Change ev'ry lock and key
Nothing lasts, nothing holds
All of me
My heart's far, far away
Home and free!

           

Even though Janie did agree to marry Logan, she is not happy with him.  She is disappointed in Nanny’s judgment in saying that she will learn to love him.

“Deliver Us” by Stephen Schwartz

            [Egyptian Guards]
Mud...Sand...Water...Straw...Faster!
Mud...And lift...Sand...And Pull
Water...And raise up...Straw...Faster!

[Slaves]
With the sting of the whip on my shoulder
With the salt of my sweat on my brow
Elohim, God on high
Can you hear your people cry:
Help us now
This dark hour...

Deliver us
Hear our call
Deliver us
Lord of all
Remember us, here in this burning sand
Deliver us
There's a land you promised us
Deliver us to the promised land...

[Yocheved]
Yal-di ha-tov veh ha-rach
(My good and tender son)
Al ti-ra veh al tif-chad
(Don't be frightened and don't be scared)
My son, I have nothing I can give
But this chance that you may live
I pray we'll meet again
If He will deliver us

[Slaves]
Deliver us
Hear our prayer
Deliver us
From despair
These years of slavery grow
too cruel to stand
Deliver us
There's a land you promised us
Deliver us
Out of bondage and
Deliver us to the promised land...
[Slaves]
Deliver us
Send a shepherd to shepherd us
And deliver us to the promised land

[Yocheved]
Deliver us!

            

Janie realizes that she is “stuck” because she is married to a man that she does not love.  The cry of her heart is to be delivered just like the Israelites in “Deliver Us”.

Song of Freedom by Irving Berlin

Freedom, freedom

That's my song for today

Listen to this American troubador from the U.S.A.

I'm singing a song of freedom

For all people who cry out to be free

Free to sail the seven seas

Free to worship as we please

If the birds up in the trees can be free

Why can't we?

I'm bringing a song of freedom

To all people wherever they may be

Free to speak and free to hear

Free from want and free from fear

Sons of freedom far and near who agree

Sing with me

That all God's children shall be free

[As sung in film:]

-Freedom! Freedom!

-Here comes the Freedom Man

On this day of independence

On this Independence Day

Listen to an American troubadour from the U.S.A.

I'm singing a song of freedom

For all people who cry out to be free

Free to sail the seven seas

Free to worship as we please

If the birds up in the trees can be free

Why can't we?

I'm bringing a song of freedom

To all people wherever they may be

Free to speak and free to hear

Free from want and free from fear

Sons of freedom far and near who agree

Sing with me

That all God's people shall be free

            

As Janie runs away with Joe, she feels a sense of freedom from her oppressive husband Logan Killicks.  Janie just wanted to be “Free to speak and free to hear/ Free from want and free from fear”. 

“Why Can’t a Woman Be More Like a Man?”  by Alan Jay Lerner

PROFESSOR HIGGINS:
Why can't a woman be more like a man?
Men are so honest, so thoroughly square;
Eternally noble, historically fair.
Who, when you win, will always give your back a pat.
Why can't a woman be like that?

Why does everyone do what the others do?
Can't a woman learn to use her head?
Why do they do everything their mothers do?
Why don't they grow up, well, like their father instead?

Why can't a woman take after a man?
Men are so pleasant, so easy to please.
Whenever you're with them, you're always at ease.

Well, why can't a woman be like you?

One man in a million may shout a bit.
Now and then, there's one with slight defects.
One perhaps whose truthfulness you doubt a bit,
But by and large we are a marvelous sex!

Why can't a woman take after a man?
'Cause men are so friendly, good-natured and kind.
A better companion you never will find.

Why can't a woman be more like a man?
Men are so decent, such regular chaps;
Ready to help you through any mishaps;
Ready to buck you up whenever you're glum.
Why can't a woman be a chum?

Why is thinking something women never do?
And why is logic never even tried?
Straightening up their hair is all they ever do.
Why don't they straighten up the mess that's inside?

Why can't a woman behave like a man?
If I was a woman who'd been to a ball,
Been hailed as a princess by one and by all;
Would I start weeping like a bathtub overflowing,
Or carry on as if my home were in a tree?
Would I run off and never tell me where I'm going?
Why can't a woman be like me?

            

Joe became very frustrated with Janie because she did not measure up to his expectations.  He wanted her to do what he wanted her to without complaining or talking.  In other words, Joe wanted Janie to be “more like a man”.

Part of Your World by Howard Ashman

Look at this stuff

Isn't it neat?

Wouldn't you think my collection's complete?

Wouldn't you think I'm the girl

The girl who has ev'rything?

Look at this trove

Treasures untold

How many wonders can one cavern hold?

Lookin' around here you'd think

(Sure) she's got everything

I've got gadgets and gizmos aplenty

I've got whozits and whatzits galore

(You want thingamabobs?

I got twenty)

But who cares?

No big deal

I want more

I wanna be where the people are

I wanna see

Wanna see 'em dancin'

Walkin' around on those

(Whad'ya call 'em?) oh - feet

Flippin' your fins you don't get too far

Legs are required for jumpin', dancin'

Strollin' along down a

(What's that word again?) street

Up where they walk

Up where they run

Up where they stay all day in the sun

Wanderin' free

Wish I could be

Part of that world

What would I give

If I could live

Outta these waters?

What would I pay

To spend a day

Warm on the sand?

Betcha on land

They understand

Bet they don't reprimand their daughters

Bright young women

Sick o' swimmin'

Ready to stand

And ready to know what the people know

Ask 'em my questions

And get some answers

What's a fire and why does it

(What's the word?) burn?

When's it my turn?

Wouldn't I love

Love to explore that shore above?

Out of the sea

Wish I could be

Part of that world

Things do not turn out as well for Janie with Joe Starks.  Even though she has everything that anyone could want, Janie feels that she is lacking happiness and true love that everyone else gets to experience. 

“A Whole New World” by Tim Rice

I can show you the world
Shining, shimmering, splendid
Tell me, princess, now when did
You last let your heart decide?

I can open your eyes
Take you wonder by wonder
Over, sideways and under
On a magic carpet ride

A whole new world
A new fantastic point of view
No one to tell us no
Or where to go
Or say we're only dreaming

A whole new world
A dazzling place I never knew
But when I'm way up here
It's crystal clear
That now I'm in a whole new world with you
Now I'm in a whole new world with you

Unbelievable sights
Indescribable feeling
Soaring, tumbling, freewheeling
Through an endless diamond sky

A whole new world
Don't you dare close your eyes
A hundred thousand things to see
Hold your breath - it gets better
I'm like a shooting star
I've come so far
I can't go back to where I used to be

A whole new world
Every turn a surprise
With new horizons to pursue
Every moment red-letter
I'll chase them anywhere
There's time to spare
Let me share this whole new world with you

A whole new world
That's where we'll be
A thrilling chase
A wondrous place
For you and me

            

Janie runs away with Tea Cake where she is shown “a whole new world”.  She had lived such a sheltered life from happiness and love, but with Tea Cake Janie felt as if she was getting to be part of the a “new world”. 

“That Should Be Me” by Nasri Atweh; Adam Messinger; Luke Gottwald; and Justin Bieber

Everybody's laughing in my mind,
Rumors spreading 'bout this other guy,
Do you do what you did when you
did with me?
Does he love you the way I can?
Did you forget all the plans
that you made with me?
'cause baby I didn't!


That should be me,
Holdin' your hand,
That should be me
Makin' you laugh,
That should be me,
This is so sad,
That should be me,
That should be me,
That should be me,
Feelin' your kiss,
That should be me,
Buyin' you gifts,
This is so wrong,
I can't go on,
Till you believe that,
That should be me

Ouuuuuuu
ouuuuuuuu

That should be me,
Yeah,
You said you needed a little time
For my mistakes,
It's funny how you used that time
To have me replaced,
Did you think that I wouldn't see you out at the movies
Whatcha doin' to me,
You're takin' him where we used to go,
Now if you're tryin' to break my

Chorus:

That should be me,
Holdin' your hand,
That should be me,
Makin' you laugh,
That should be me,
This is so sad,
That should be me,
That should be me,
That should be me,
Feelin' your kiss,
That should be me ,

Buyin' you gifts,
This is so wrong,
I can't go on,
Till you believe that,
That should be me

I need to know should I fight
For our love for this long
It's getting harder to shield
This pain in my heart!!!

Chorus:
That should be me,
Holdin' your hand,
That should be me,
Makin' you laugh,
That should be me,
This is so sad,
That should be me,
That should be me,
That should be me,
Feelin' your kiss,
That should be me,
Buyin' you gifts,
This is so wrong,
I can't go on,
Till you believe that,
That should be me,
Holding your hand,
That should be me,
Oh I makin’ you laugh, oh Baby,
That should be me,
(that should be me givin’ you flowers)
That should be me,
Talking by hours, that should be me, that should be me,
that should be me

Never should've let you go,!
I never should've let you go,!
That should be me!!
Never should've let you go
That should be me!!

            

When Tea Cake unexpectedly leaves Janie, Janie believes that he has left her for good.  She starts to doubt her choice in loving him in the first place. 

“How Does She know?” from Disney's Enchanted

It's not enough to take the one you love for granted
You must remind her, or she'll be inclined to say...
"How do I know he loves me?"
(How does she know that you love her?
How do you show her you love her?)
"How do I know he's mine?"
(How does she know that you really, really, truly love her?)

Well does he leave a little note to tell you are on his mind?
Send you yellow flowers when the sky is grey? Heyy!
He'll find a new way to show you, a little bit everyday
That's how you know, that's how you know!
He's your love...

Man:
You've got to show her you need her
Don't treat her like a mind reader
Each day do something to need her
To believe you love her

Giselle:
Everybody wants to live happily ever after
Everybody wants to know their true love is true...
How do you know he loves you?
(How does she know that you love her?
How do you show her you need her?)
How do you know he's yours?
(How does she know that you really, really, truly-)

Well does he take you out dancin' just so he can hold you close?
Dedicate a song with words in
Just for you? Ohhh!

All:
He'll find his own way to tell you
With the little things he'll do
That's how you know
That's how you know!

Giselle:
He's your love
He's your love...

Because he'll wear your favorite color
Just so he can match your eyes
Rent a private picnic
By the fires glow-oohh!

All:
His heart will be yours forever
Something every day will show
That's how you know
(That's how you know)
That's how you know
(That's how you know)
That's how you know
(That's how you know)
That's how you know
(That's how you know)
That's how you know
(That's how you know)
That's how you know
(That's how you know)
That's how you know!

Giselle:
He's your love...

Man:
That's how she knows that you love her
That's how you show her you love her

Giselle:
That's how you know...
That's how you know...
He's your love...

           

Tea Cake treats Janie differently because he treats her with love and respect.  No one has to wonder if Tea Cake loves Janie due to his actions. 

“Amazing Grace” by Chris Tomlin

Amazing grace
How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I'm found
Was blind, but now I see
'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed
My chains are gone
I've been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy rains
Unending love, Amazing grace

The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures

[2x]
My chains are gone
I've been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy rains
Unending love, Amazing grace

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow
The sun forbear to shine
But God, Who called me here below
Will be forever mine
Will be forever mine
You are forever mine
            
Just like God sacrificed for us so that we might be saved, similarly Tea Cake sacrifices his body so that Janie can live.  This is an amazing act of love and “amazing grace”. 

“Give Me Freedom”  by K'Naan Warsame
Give me freedom, give me fire, give me reason, take me higher
See the champions, take the field now, you define us, make us feel proud
In the streets our heads are lifting, as we lose our inhibition,
Celebration, it surround us, every nations, all around us

Singing forever young, singing songs underneath that sun
Lets rejoice in the beautiful game,
And together at the end of the day.
We all say

When I get older I will be stronger
They’ll call me freedom, just like a wavin’ flag
When I get older I will be stronger
They’ll call me freedom, just like a wavin’ flag
So wave your flag, now wave your flag, now wave your flag

Oooohhh, Oooooooooh wooooohh, Oooooooooh wooooohh

Give you freedom, give you fire, give you reason, take you higher
See the champions, take the field now, unify us, make us feel proud
In the streets our heads are lifting, as we lose our inhibition,
Celebration, its around us, every nations, all around us

Singing forever young, singing songs underneath that sun
Lets rejoice in the beautiful game,
And together at the end of the day.
We all say

When I get older I will be stronger
They’ll call me freedom, just like a wavin’ flag
When I get older I will be stronger
They’ll call me freedom, just like a wavin’ flag
So wave your flag, now wave your flag, now wave your flag
Now wave your flag (4x)

Oohhoooohh Woooh Ohohooooh Wooohoooh

We all say
When I get older I will be stronger
They’ll call me freedom, just like a wavin’ flag
When I get older I will be stronger
They’ll call me freedom, just like a wavin’ flag
So wave your flag, now wave your flag, now wave your flag
Now wave your flag (4x)

Oooooh woowoo ooh Wooo ooohh ooohoh
And everybody will be singing it
Oooooh woowoo ooh Wooo ooohh ooohoh
And we all will be singing it

            

Janie is all the wiser for all that she has been through.  She tells Pheoby that “when I get older I will be stronger” and that is exactly what has happened.  Janie has learned to love deeply, and since she has loved deeply she has experienced great happiness.