Answer: "Their Eyes Were Watching God" is a novel by Zora Neale Hurston that follows the story of Janie Crawford, a young African American woman who is in search of love and self-discovery in the early 20th century. Throughout the novel, Janie develops a claim about what it takes to live well, which is informed by her experiences.
Janie's claim about what it takes to live well is that one must follow their own desires and passions to find true happiness and fulfillment in life. She believes that living according to other people's expectations or societal norms will only lead to dissatisfaction and misery. Janie's experiences, particularly her relationships with different men, support this claim.
For instance, in her first marriage to Logan Killicks, Janie is forced into a loveless union that is based on financial security rather than genuine affection. Janie's desire for love and passion is not fulfilled, and she realizes that living a life that is not aligned with her desires will only lead to unhappiness. Similarly, in her marriage to Jody Starks, Janie is stifled and oppressed by his desire for power and control. She realizes that living according to Jody's expectations will not lead to a fulfilling life.
It is only when Janie meets Tea Cake and pursues a relationship with him that she experiences true love and passion. Tea Cake encourages Janie to follow her desires and passions, and they embark on a journey together that is filled with joy and adventure. Janie's experiences with Tea Cake prove her life advice that living according to one's desires and passions is the key to living well.
Janie's advice can be organized around a clear line of reasoning: to live well, one must follow their own desires and passions. Janie's experiences with Logan and Jody illustrate the consequences of living a life that is not aligned with one's desires, while her relationship with Tea Cake proves that following one's desires can lead to happiness and fulfillment. Ultimately, Janie's claim about what it takes to live well is a message of self-discovery and self-fulfillment, encouraging readers to pursue their passions and desires to find true happiness.
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