Their Eyes Were Watching God Nanny

Their Eyes Were Watching God: Nanny's Enduring Legacy

Their Eyes Were Watching God, Zora Neale Hurston's masterpiece, is a powerful exploration of Janie Crawford's journey towards self-discovery and independence. While Janie's experiences form the narrative's core, the figure of Nanny, Janie's grandmother, casts a long shadow, significantly shaping Janie's life and ultimately influencing the novel's central themes. Nanny's unwavering determination to secure Janie's future, though well-intentioned, paradoxically hinders Janie's pursuit of true love and self-realization. This essay delves deep into Nanny's character, exploring her motivations, the impact of her actions on Janie, and the enduring legacy of her choices within the context of the novel's broader themes.

Nanny's Past and the Shaping of Her Values

Nanny's past is shrouded in the harsh realities of slavery and its lingering effects on African American life in the post-Reconstruction South. Her experiences instilled in her a deep-seated fear of poverty and vulnerability, a fear that dictates her choices and profoundly affects her relationship with Janie. Having witnessed the brutal injustices of slavery firsthand and the precariousness of life for Black women in a racist society, Nanny's primary concern becomes ensuring Janie's survival and economic security. This isn't simply about material wealth; it's about protecting Janie from the systemic oppression that Nanny herself endured.

The Weight of Racial and Gendered Oppression

Nanny's understanding of the world is shaped by the constraints imposed upon her by both race and gender. As a Black woman in the Jim Crow South, her options were severely limited. She witnessed firsthand the brutal realities of racial violence and discrimination, and she knew that Janie, as a young Black woman, would face similar challenges. This understanding fuels Nanny's desire to secure Janie's future through marriage to a financially stable man, even if it means sacrificing Janie's personal desires and happiness.

The "Material" versus the "Spiritual"

Nanny's emphasis on material security often clashes with Janie's yearning for a more fulfilling, spiritually rich life. This conflict forms the central tension of their relationship. Nanny equates security with financial stability and social standing, believing that these things will protect Janie from the harsh realities of racism and sexism. Janie, however, desires a love that transcends material considerations, a love that nourishes her soul and allows her to fully express herself. This difference in perspective is not simply a generational gap; it's a reflection of the contrasting realities they experienced. Nanny's reality demanded pragmatic choices, while Janie yearns for the romantic ideal, a freedom Nanny could only dream of.

Nanny's Influence on Janie's Choices

Nanny's influence on Janie's life is profound and multifaceted. She is both Janie's guardian and, in a way, her jailer. Nanny's desire to protect Janie from the hardships she faced leads her to make crucial decisions that shape Janie's early life and marriages. She forces Janie into marriage with Logan Killicks, believing that his financial stability will provide security for Janie. This decision represents Nanny's inability to reconcile her pragmatic concerns with Janie's yearning for true love and companionship. This early marriage sets the stage for Janie's subsequent disappointments and her long journey towards self-discovery.

The Logan Killicks Marriage: A Sacrifice of Dreams

The marriage to Logan Killicks is a pivotal moment in the novel, showcasing the stark contrast between Nanny's pragmatism and Janie's aspirations. Nanny believes that marrying Logan will ensure Janie's economic security, a fundamental need given the realities of their social circumstances. However, this decision sacrifices Janie's personal happiness and her right to choose her own life partner. Logan, a hard-working but unromantic farmer, fails to provide Janie with the love and emotional fulfillment she craves. The relationship becomes a symbol of Nanny's well-intentioned but ultimately detrimental interference in Janie's life.

The Joe Starks Marriage: A Step Towards Independence, Yet Still Constrained

Janie's subsequent marriage to Joe Starks represents a step towards independence, but it also demonstrates the lingering influence of Nanny's values. While Joe offers Janie a different kind of life, one filled with a sense of community and social standing, it ultimately limits her personal freedom and self-expression. Joe’s controlling nature and his suppression of Janie’s voice mirrors the systemic oppression Nanny faced, albeit on a more personal level. Although this marriage provided a level of prosperity and social standing that Nanny valued, it still failed to provide Janie with the genuine companionship and love she sought. Ironically, the success achieved through this union underscores the limits of Nanny's definition of security and fulfillment.

Nanny's Legacy and its Impact on Janie's Journey

Nanny's death marks a turning point in Janie's life. The weight of Nanny's expectations is lifted, allowing Janie to finally confront the consequences of Nanny’s choices and pursue her own path towards self-discovery and independence. However, the lingering effects of Nanny's influence continue to shape Janie's understanding of love, security, and selfhood. Janie's experiences with Logan and Joe serve as valuable lessons, highlighting the limitations of a life defined solely by material success and social standing.

Learning from Mistakes: The Importance of Self-Discovery

Janie's final marriage to Tea Cake represents a profound shift in her perspective. It's a marriage based on mutual respect, love, and shared experiences, a far cry from her previous relationships. Tea Cake's love for Janie is unconditional, nurturing her spirit and allowing her to express herself fully. This relationship demonstrates the importance of Janie's self-discovery and her ability to reject the limitations imposed upon her by societal expectations and the influence of Nanny's past. Janie's journey is ultimately a rejection of the constraints placed upon her, including those imposed by the love and protection of her grandmother.

Reconciling Past and Present: Acceptance and Understanding

While Janie ultimately rejects certain aspects of Nanny's influence, she also gains a deeper understanding of the historical context that shaped her grandmother's worldview. Nanny's legacy is not simply a burden; it's a source of understanding that allows Janie to appreciate the complexities of her own experiences. Janie's journey towards self-discovery is not a rejection of her past, but a process of integrating her past experiences into her present reality. This understanding allows her to appreciate the sacrifices Nanny made, while also freeing herself to forge her own path.

Nanny's Character as a Reflection of Societal Constraints

Nanny's character serves as a poignant representation of the constraints imposed upon African American women in the early 20th century. Her experiences with slavery and the Jim Crow South shaped her understanding of the world and her approach to protecting Janie. Nanny's choices, while seemingly restrictive, stem from a deep-seated fear of vulnerability and a desire to secure Janie’s future within a system designed to oppress them. This fear is not unique to Nanny; it's a shared experience that reflects the systemic oppression faced by many Black women at the time.

A Legacy of Resilience and Pragmatism

Nanny's character is complex and multifaceted, embodying both the resilience and the pragmatism necessary for survival within a deeply racist and unequal society. Her emphasis on material security is a direct response to the realities of her past, a response born from necessity and a deep-seated fear of the vulnerabilities faced by Black women in the Jim Crow South. Her legacy, therefore, is not simply one of limitations but also one of strength and survival. It’s a testament to the extraordinary resilience of a woman striving to protect her granddaughter in a world determined to keep her down.

Nanny as a Symbol of the Past's Influence on the Present

Nanny's influence extends beyond her direct interaction with Janie. She represents the legacy of slavery and its enduring impact on the lives of African Americans. Her choices and experiences reflect the historical realities that shaped her generation and the lasting effects of those experiences on subsequent generations. Nanny's presence serves as a constant reminder of the past and its continuing influence on the present, shaping Janie’s journey and underscoring the broader social and historical context of the novel.

Conclusion: The Enduring Relevance of Nanny's Story

Nanny's story in Their Eyes Were Watching God is not merely a supporting narrative; it's an integral part of the novel's overall meaning and power. Her character highlights the complexities of love, family, and societal constraints, providing a rich and nuanced understanding of the challenges faced by African American women in the early 20th century. Nanny's legacy, both positive and negative, serves as a catalyst for Janie's growth and self-discovery, ultimately shaping Janie's journey towards self-realization and independence. Her enduring influence serves as a reminder of the lasting impact of the past, both personal and historical, on shaping the lives and aspirations of individuals. The interplay between Nanny's pragmatic approach to life and Janie's romantic ideal forms the very heart of the novel's exploration of love, identity, and the pursuit of personal fulfillment within the confines of a deeply unjust society. Their conflicting perspectives allow Hurston to expose the complexities of race, gender, and class in the early 20th-century American South, leaving a lasting legacy that continues to resonate with readers today.