Criticism Comparison and Assessment:

Criticism Comparison:

By: Abigail Johnson

Feminism school of criticism: The prevailing theme of this novel is how a woman deals with the strain of difficult relationships and ultimately triumphs. In this novel it is showed many times how the protagonist would be persecuted in a marriage and would be able to free herself. She would show her strength in enduring through the hard times. She would then seek comfort and be able to find new love. In the end the protagonist found that in the end, true freedom is in the joy of being single. In this novel, the main character has many struggles in life and is able to get through them with strength. When she is practically given away be her grandmother and to a man who treated her with little respect and made her like his pack mule, she stayed strong and was able to escape. She then became the victim of a proud, dominate male. He liked to show his power over her and would unwaveringly rebuke her. One day she finally had enough of this and rebuked him back. He then got ill and she rebuked him on his death bed. Unable to handle this, his proud nature gets the best of him and he dies. Her final husband also gives her trouble when he steals her hard earned money and spends it on foolish things. Also, after being bitten by a rabid dog, he become violent and takes all of his anger and violence on the poor, helpless, Janie. Even at the climax of the story he is shooting a gun at her. Because of her quick thinking Janie is able to use another gun and deliver herself from the hands of her persecutor. In the end Janie settles back down in her home town where she is happy and single.

Psychological school of criticism: Many factors influence the theme of this novel. One major theme is the novel is self discovery. Throughout this novel the protagonist moves through the story and the events of her life shape the way she looks at life and discovers new things about herself. Another theme would be the impact that race has on society. This story discusses the difficulties African Americans have in society. An example of this is how Mrs. Turner treats Tea Cake, showing the feeling of pride. The main character, Janie, grows very much as a person through the development of the novel. She at first had a carefree optimistic view of life. As a young child she thought she was white. This probably had some subconscious impact on the way Janie views life and thinks of herself. After her first marriage Janie’s perception of the way husbands should act changes. Janie’s second marriage is probably the most emotionally tolling. The many years of getting criticized day after day get to Janie and she begins to resent Joe. If one keeps emotions bottled up inside it usually leads to an emotional outburst of some sort. This indeed was what happened. After this happens Joe’s health began to deteriorate. As he lies in bed dying, Janie again confronts him. This feeling of helpless humiliation leads Joe over the edge and he dies. Janie’s third marriage gives her a new look on marriage and also life. She displays mistrust toward Tea Cake at first, but after his display of commitment she agrees to marry him. The storm also gives in site into Janie and Tea Cake’s strong bond when Janie is almost attacked by a dog and Tea cake risks his life to save her. Their strong commitment to each other is shown when even though Tea Cake, in a mad rage, often threatens and accuses Janie, she continues to love and take care of him till his last days. In the end of the end Janie develops a sense of emotional peace when she feels that Tea Cake will always be in her heart.

Biographical school of criticism: Many parts of Zora Neale Hurston's life play significant roles in the themes of this novel. The first characteristic was that Hurston was also an African American who had to deal with the difficulties of that in during the time period of which this novel was written. This is why the author uses a theme of racism in her book. Also, Zora’s father was a preacher and this would explain the ongoing theme of God brought into this story. The main character, Janie, and the author have many things in common. Her own personal life is probably what influenced the author the most. One example is the fact that the town Janie lived in, Eatonville, was based off the town the author grew up in bearing the same name. Another influence is the face that Janie’s father was also the mayor of the town for some time. This is probably what made the author write about how Janie was married to the mayor. This story is also based entirely in Florida, the state the author grew up in. The author also tragically lost her mom at a young age. This is probably why Janie multiple times loses those closest to her. The author is also a young woman growing up during a similar time and probably influenced the way she made Janie speak and think. Also, growing up in an all black town gave Huston the feeling of pride and a want for accomplishment for her race.

The interpretation that best represents a Christian world view : Biographical. This is because it shows a person and how they developed their book to fit with their world view, which in this case happens to be a Christian. Psychological critiques are often conducted using techniques that are often questioned in Christian thinking. Also, the psychological school of criticism focuses mainly on the person themselves and how they and their environmental factors impact them mainly and not their spirituality. The feminism school of criticism also does not reflect the Christian world view either. It also focuses too much on the person themselves and what they do, not anything related to spirituality. This school of criticism is also bias and harsh towards men, which are not characteristics of a Godly world view. The bible said that all men are created equal, this means men and women both, have equal amounts of sin in the eyes of God.