20-minute plan
- Review your class notes to identify 3 core symbols from TEWWG
- Write 1 sentence per symbol linking it to a key moment in Janie’s story
- Draft 1 discussion question that asks peers to compare two of these symbols
Keyword Guide · theme-symbolism
Symbols in Their Eyes Were Watching God: Study Guide for Essays & Discussions
This guide breaks down core symbols from Their Eyes Were Watching God (TEWWG) for high school and college lit students. It includes actionable structures for quizzes, class talks, and essay drafts. Every section ends with a clear next step to keep your work focused.
Key symbols in TEWWG include the pear tree, Janie’s hair, and the hurricane. Each symbol ties to Janie’s journey of self-discovery, autonomy, and connection to her environment. Use these symbols to anchor analysis of her growth for discussions or essays.
Next Step
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Answer Block
Literary symbols in TEWWG are concrete objects or events that stand for abstract ideas related to identity, freedom, and nature. The pear tree represents idealized love and personal growth. Janie’s hair signals her rejection of restrictive gender norms in her community.
Next step: List 2 more symbols from the text and link each to one of Janie’s key life stages in your notes.
Key Takeaways
- Each major symbol tracks a shift in Janie’s sense of self or her relationships
- Symbols in TEWWG often connect to the novel’s focus on Black female autonomy in early 20th-century Florida
- Teachers look for links between symbols and specific character actions, not just surface-level descriptions
- Symbols can be used to anchor thesis statements for both short response and full essay assignments
20-Minute Plan and 60-Minute Plan
60-minute plan
- Re-read your annotated text sections for 2 key symbols (pear tree, hurricane work well)
- Create a 2-column chart mapping each symbol to 3 specific character actions or plot events
- Draft a full thesis statement that uses one symbol to argue a claim about Janie’s growth
- Write a 5-sentence body paragraph supporting that thesis with concrete evidence from your chart
3-Step Study Plan
Action: Complete a symbol scavenger hunt in your text copy or class notes
Output: A list of 5 symbols with 1 brief context clue per symbol
Action: Connect each symbol to one of the novel’s major themes (identity, love, freedom)
Output: A thematic symbol map you can use for quick quiz review
Action: Practice explaining one symbol’s meaning out loud in 60 seconds or less
Output: A concise verbal explanation ready for cold calls in class discussions
Discussion Kit
- Which symbol practical represents Janie’s relationship to her community, and why?
- How does the meaning of Janie’s hair change across the novel’s three main relationship stages?
- In what way does the hurricane symbolize forces outside Janie’s control?
- Why might the author have used natural symbols alongside man-made objects to track Janie’s growth?
- What would change about our understanding of Janie if the pear tree symbol were removed from the story?
- Compare one symbol from TEWWG to a symbol from another novel you’ve read in this class
Essay Kit
Thesis Templates
- In Their Eyes Were Watching God, [symbol] serves as a consistent marker of Janie’s evolving sense of autonomy, from her early years in Eatonville to her return home after Tea Cake’s death.
- The [symbol] in TEWWG challenges the community’s restrictive gender norms by mirroring Janie’s refusal to conform to their expectations of Black womanhood.
Outline Skeletons
- I. Intro: Hook with Janie’s opening action, present thesis linking [symbol] to her growth, list 3 supporting points. II. Body 1: Symbol’s meaning in Janie’s first relationship. III. Body 2: Symbol’s shifting meaning in her second relationship. IV. Body 3: Symbol’s final meaning in her third relationship. V. Conclusion: Restate thesis, tie symbol to novel’s broader theme of freedom.
- I. Intro: Context of gender norms in early 20th-century Black communities, thesis linking [symbol] to Janie’s resistance. II. Body 1: Community’s reaction to the symbol. III. Body 2: Janie’s intentional use of the symbol to assert control. IV. Body 3: Symbol’s meaning at the novel’s end, after Janie returns home. V. Conclusion: Connect symbol to modern conversations about Black female identity.
Sentence Starters
- When Janie interacts with [symbol] for the first time, it reveals her unspoken desire for
- The community’s negative reaction to [symbol] highlights their fear of
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Exam Kit
Checklist
- I can name 3 core symbols from TEWWG
- I can link each symbol to a specific character action or plot event
- I can explain how each symbol’s meaning changes over the course of the novel
- I can connect symbols to 2 major themes of the novel
- I have drafted a thesis statement using one symbol as evidence
- I can answer a short response question about a symbol in 3 sentences or less
- I have identified common mistakes students make when analyzing these symbols
- I have practiced explaining symbol analysis out loud for oral exams
- I have cross-referenced my symbol notes with class discussion points
- I have reviewed how symbols tie to the novel’s historical context
Common Mistakes
- Describing the symbol’s surface appearance without linking it to a character’s thoughts or actions
- Claiming a symbol has only one fixed meaning throughout the novel
- Using vague language like it represents love alongside tying it to Janie’s specific experience of love
- Ignoring the community’s reaction to symbols, which is a key part of their meaning
- Forgetting to connect symbols to the novel’s broader themes of autonomy or identity
Self-Test
- Name one symbol that represents Janie’s rejection of societal norms, and explain how it does so
- How does a natural symbol in TEWWG reflect the novel’s focus on human connection to the environment?
- What is one way a symbol’s meaning shifts between Janie’s second and third relationships?
How-To Block
Action: Go through your annotated text or class notes and circle every concrete object or event that is repeated or emphasized by the narrator or characters
Output: A raw list of potential symbols to analyze further
Action: For each item on your list, ask: How does this object/event relate to Janie’s choices, feelings, or relationships at different points in the story?
Output: A narrowed list of 3-4 core symbols with clear links to character growth
Action: Draft a 2-sentence analysis for each core symbol that connects it to one of the novel’s major themes
Output: A set of ready-to-use analysis snippets for essays or discussion
Rubric Block
Symbol Identification & Context
Teacher looks for: Clear recognition of core symbols, with specific references to when they appear in the novel
How to meet it: Cite specific character actions or plot events tied to each symbol, not just general references to the story
Depth of Analysis
Teacher looks for: Links between symbols and abstract themes or character growth, not just surface-level descriptions
How to meet it: Explain how a symbol’s meaning changes as Janie’s circumstances change throughout the novel
Thematic Connection
Teacher looks for: Clear ties between symbol analysis and the novel’s broader themes of identity, freedom, or community
How to meet it: Explicitly state how the symbol supports a claim about Janie’s experience or the novel’s message
Symbol Analysis for Class Discussions
Use symbol analysis to lead small-group talks or contribute to whole-class discussions. Focus on comparing symbols to highlight different perspectives on Janie’s choices. Use this before class to prepare a 60-second talking point that connects one symbol to a peer’s previous comment.
Using Symbols in Essay Introductions
Open your essay with a reference to a core symbol to hook readers and set up your thesis. For example, start with a sentence about the pear tree to introduce an essay on Janie’s search for idealized love. Draft 2 different hook sentences using symbols before writing your final intro.
Symbol Tracking for Quizzes
Create a flashcard for each core symbol, with the symbol on the front and its key meanings tied to specific life stages on the back. Quiz yourself for 5 minutes each night for 3 days leading up to a quiz or exam. Add one new connection to each flashcard after each study session.
Addressing Common Analysis Mistakes
Avoid the mistake of assigning fixed meanings to symbols by adding a column to your symbol chart labeled meaning shift. Note how each symbol’s significance changes as Janie moves through her relationships. Review this column before submitting any analysis to ensure you show dynamic, not static, meaning.
Historical Context for Symbol Meaning
Consider how 1920s Southern Black community norms shape the meaning of symbols like Janie’s hair. Research one detail about gender norms in that time and place to add depth to your analysis. Write 1 sentence tying that historical detail to a symbol’s meaning in your essay notes.
Peer Feedback for Symbol Analysis
Trade your symbol analysis with a classmate and ask them to identify any vague language or unproven claims. Revise your analysis based on their feedback to make your connections more concrete. Ask one classmate to review your thesis statement specifically for symbol clarity before submitting your essay.
What are the most important symbols in TEWWG?
The most frequently analyzed symbols include the pear tree, Janie’s hair, the hurricane, and the mule. Each ties to key themes of growth, autonomy, and community pressure.
How do I link symbols to Janie’s character development?
Track when Janie interacts with the symbol, how she feels about it, and how other characters react to her connection to it. These details will show how the symbol maps to her changing sense of self.
Can I use symbols for a thesis statement?
Yes, symbols make strong anchors for thesis statements because they connect concrete text details to abstract themes. Use the essay kit’s thesis templates to draft your own.
How do I avoid vague symbol analysis in my essay?
Replace vague claims like it represents love with specific statements tied to Janie’s actions, like it reflects her desire for a partnership based on mutual respect, not just financial security.
Editorial note: This page is independently written for educational support. Verify specifics with assigned class materials and the original text.
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