Question

In Their Eyes Were Watching God, the townspeople of Eatonville disapprove of Tea Cake as Janie's suitor because:

A. he has a history of stealing women's money.
B. he seems violent.
C. he is young and lacks money.
D. he has been in trouble with the law.

Answer 1

The townspeople of Eatonville disapprove of Tea Cake as Janie's suitor because he is young and lacks money, reflecting the novel's theme of individual choices versus societal expectations.

Step-by-step explanation:

In Their Eyes Were Watching God, the townspeople of Eatonville disapprove of Tea Cake as Janie's suitor primarily because he is young and lacks money. The community's perception is that Tea Cake's economic status does not provide the stability they believe Janie requires or deserves, especially given her status as a widow of a previous well-off husband. This disapproval underscores one of the novel's central themes, which highlights individual choices versus societal expectations.

Throughout the work, Zora Neale Hurston explores themes involving self-liberation and personal transformation. Characters achieve power through their own self-discoveries and use their inner resources, rather than relying on societal validation. This can be seen in Janie's journey as she evolves from a young girl under her grandmother's influence to a self-actualized woman. Her decision to be with Tea Cake despite his lack of wealth demonstrates her own personal growth and her defiance of societal norms.