Based on Teressa's reading of Their Eyes Were Watching God, I was already anticipating having a hard time understanding the dialogue because of the dialect that the characters speak with. However, after reading some of the first chapter, I noticed that I was having more trouble with Zora Neale Hurston's flowery writing than with the dialogue! I was confused: I'm an aspiring English teacher; the author's writing shouldn't be so difficult for me. But I noticed that the constant metaphors of the narration kept making me have to re-read lines over and over to figure out what was actually being said.
For example, the minute that I read the following sentence in the second paragraph on the very first page, I knew I was going to have a difficult time with this novel: "Now, women forget all those things they don't want to remember, and remember everything they don't want to forget." I must have re-read this one sentence about three times. I thought I was reading it wrong every time. In my head I kept saying, "Wait, women forget things they don't want to remember? That means the same thing! And they remember what they don't want to forget? But that's the same thing!" This sentence literally drove me nuts for about 5 minutes until I realized how redundant it was. I didn't understand what it meant for the novel but maybe it will make sense as I read more of it.
Another sentence that stuck out to me was, "Words walking without masters; walking altogether like harmony in a song." At first I didn't understand what the author meant by words walking without masters. How are the words of the people "walking?" But I decided to find some context in the sentences before this one. Here is my "Think Aloud" process as I re-read the paragraph:
"Seeing the woman as she was made them remember the envy they had stored up from other times. (Okay, so they are jealous of this woman as she walks past them and they know her because it says "from other times") So they chewed up the back parts of their minds (when she writes "back parts of their minds," I think of the thoughts that you don't want anyone to know, insecure and dark thoughts) and swallowed them with relish. (relish definition from Dictionary.com: "Enjoy greatly." So they are enjoying these awful thoughts about this woman, I think) They made burning statements with questions and killing tools out of laughs. (wow, I love "killing tools out of laughs." It makes me think about teenagers and how their cruel laughs can really destroy a person. Look at this YouTube clip of the movie Speak; watch from 7:40-8:04 and you'll understand what I mean) It was mass cruelty. (Again, reminds me of the movie clip, all these people talking about this poor woman and being so mean to her. Does she deserve it? What did she do?) A mood come alive. Words walking without masters; walking altogether like harmony in a song."
As I look at that last sentence now after re-reading the context that it is in, I think I understand what she means. By personifying "words" and writing that they are "walking without masters," the author makes me think that the words have taken on a mind of their own. The people are just spewing mean words at this woman without thinking about her and her situation. "Walking altogether like harmony in a song" makes me think that the words have all the same meaning. These people are saying the same mean things about her; the words fit together harmoniously even though they are so full of ugly hate.
When I read Hurston's words in this way and break each sentence down carefully, I find her writing to be so beautiful. Look at how she wrote that paragraph. She is basically trying to say that these people are talking about a woman behind her back. But look at how much more she adds to that statement by the language she uses. It is wonderful and sad at the same time.
Tonianne! That was an awesome post!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI love how you do not like the metaphors and I LOVE THEM!!!! That really makes me laugh!
The part in the post where you broke down the "Think Aloud" process was awesome!!!! I was actually able to see your thoughts behind it! It amazes me that with one simple sentence it takes a couple of minutes to break it down and actually begin to understand it. Reading your think aloud process feels like it took you 5 minutes but realistically if we were to do that thought process in our head it would only take 45 seconds! I just find the whole thought process of it all really interesting.
"But look at how much more she adds to that statement by the language she uses. It is wonderful and sad at the same time."
That is my favorite quote in the post. The reason why I picked that one is because that’s why I simply love reading this book. Her style of writing is elegant and although you had trouble with her metaphors and other sayings I found them inspirational and somewhat beautiful.
It’s a peaceful read and its interesting and I can promise as the chapters go on you'll be able to piece things together. If you read back to my first post of the novel I had a million questions and concerns but by chapter 3 the puzzle starts to come together.
Elegant is a great word to describe Hurston's writing. It truly is--I think once I get the hang of the book, I will be able to enjoy her writing more because she really is so gifted at how she crafts each sentence.
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