Final answer:
Tea Cake is bitten by a rabid dog in chapter 18 of 'Their Eyes Were Watching God,' leading to him contracting rabies.
Step-by-step explanation:
In chapter 18 of Their Eyes Were Watching God, Tea Cake receives a serious injury. While saving Janie from a rabid dog during the hurricane, Tea Cake is bitten by the dog. This bite ultimately leads to Tea Cake contracting rabies, which is a central plot point in the later stages of the book.
Zora Neale Hurston employs this event to propel the narrative into its tragic climax, emphasizing the themes of love, sacrifice, and the unpredictability of life.