Journal #4- Their Eyes Were Watching God

For this journal entry, I have picked the 1st paragraph on chapter 7, pg 76. I feel that this is a good passage to analyze Hurston's use of language manipulation.

In terms of syntax, I see that Hurston talks about the physical beating of Janie and the emotional beating of Janie. The first sentence talks about the physical aspect, then the second talks about the emotional side, and from there there is a chunk about the physical and a chunk about the emotional side. Hurston is probably saying with this that the physical beating leaves these emotional scars that Janie can't get rid of, and what's worse is that she is feeling less loved because of this. This beaten down tone can also be shown in the word choice of Hurston. There is clearly a central tone of being beaten down when she directly compares Janie to a rut in the road. "Plenty of life beneath the surface but it was kept down by the wheels." (pg 76) Hurston depicts, a clear representation of how Jody keeps her down by trying to control her. This can also be a reference to the physical abuse of Janie on page 72, where he beats her whenever she steps out of line. A sound device used is the phrase "But most she lived between her hat and her heels." (pg 76) The harsh 'H' sound used here can show how harshly treated Janie was, and even more so this is show through the previous word choice, says that Janie keeps to herself.