Their Eyes Were Watching God

This book is about an African American lady name Janie Crawford. Janie is in her forties. It tells a story of her journey and it flashbacks to her friend Phoebe who is telling the story to the nosy neighbors on Janie's behalf. She has three major periods in her life when she is married to three different men. Nanny Janie's grandmother was a slave who became pregnant because of her master. Nanny gave birth to her daughter Leafy. Nanny tried to create a good life for Leafy but Leafy was having an affair with an school teacher. The school teacher raped her and she got pregnant with Janie. After Jaines birth Leafy began to drink and stay out late. Leafy runs away and leaves Janie with nanny. Nanny sees Janie kissing a boy from the neighborhood and has fears that Janie would become a mule to a man. She arranges for Janie to get married to an older man named Logan Killicks who needs a wife to help him with his home and farm. Janie has the idea that when you are married you are in love. Logan wasnt looking for love he just needed someone to help him out. Logan tried to get Janie to help him out with the farm she ran off with Joe Starks who took her to Eatonville. When they arrived to Eatonville it wasnt what they expected so he arranged to buy more land. He hired people to build a store for him to own and run. He selected himself as mayor of Eatonville. Janie realizes that all she is to Joe is a trophy. He wants Janie to act like the perfect wife. He wants her to run the store but he doesnt want her to participate in anything. After starks passed away she was independent.