While Zora Heale Hurston’s novel now receives critical claim and is considered a classic of the African American literature canon, Their Eyes Were Watching God was not well received upon its initial publication and was out of print for almost thirty years. This 75th anniversary edition honors Hurston’s strong female protagonist that readers originally refused to accept, but now have come. The Story: Their Eyes Were Watching God Their Eyes Were Watching God Themes and Symbols Plot Summary Male vs. Female: novel is opened with a comparison. Men in novel are static and don't have to prove or earn their power or voice. The women must fight to be heard, and are.

This Their Eyes Were Watching God: Figurative Language lesson plan also includes:

• Audio Guide

Their Eyes Were Watching God Mr. Becker's Classroom Lesson

Zora Neale Hurston's beautiful language in Their Eyes Were Watching God is not only a pleasure to read, it helps to further the plot and character development. Once your class has finished Chapter 6 of the novel, have them discuss examples of simile, metaphor, personification, and symbolism that they have found. Expand the discussion to include recurring symbols in a writing assignment that kids can complete independently or in a group. For homework, they read Chapters 7-9 and observe the changes in Janie's voice.

Concepts

Additional Tags

Instructional Ideas

• Pair the activities with other novels that are especially rich in figurative language
• Have learners create a poem based on the descriptions and language in the first six chapters of the novel
• Take this opportunity to clarify the difference between figurative language and images that are meant to be taken literally

Classroom Considerations

• This resource is only available on an unencrypted HTTP website. It should be fine for general use, but don’t use it to share any personally identifiable information

Pros

• Access all necessary materials for the unit, including the other nine lesson plans, in an attached zip file or through the unit's main page

Start Your Free Trial

Save time and discover engaging curriculum for your classroom. Reviewed and rated by trusted, credentialed teachers.

Their Eyes Were Watching Godmr. Becker's Classrooms