In retrospect, the reader often discovers that the first chapter of a novel or the opening scene of a drama introduces some of the major themes of the work. Write an essay about the opening scene of a drama or the first chapter of a novel in which you explain how it functions in this way.
In the novel Their Eyes were Watching God, Zora Hurston uses the opening chapter to function as an introduction to the major themes of the work. One of the best opening paragraphs in history, Huston sets the stage for the novel, let alone taking in the chapter as a whole.
The opening sentence, "Ships at a distance have every man's wish on board," very carefully sets the stage for the rest of the book. In that sentence alone, Hurston creates the idea that every person has a wish that is far away. In the next couple of sentences, she points out that some of these wishes come true, while others will never be obtained and might even be used against them. This is a repeating theme found in the novel as the protagonist, Janie, realizes that not all of her dreams will come true. It is simply a fact of life, but good things can also come from them as well.
The first chapter also introduces a look into the colloquial dialect that is continued throughout the book. As Janie walks through town, rumors are being spread about her and a man named Tea Cake. These rumors are being spread by girls who envy all that Janie is, yet Janie has yet to find out who true voice. The use of language is directly parallel to Janie learning how to control her own voice, which leads to another theme. Janie's control of language shows the empowerment and identity that can be obtained through speech.
Lastly, the opening chapter introduces the first glimpse as to Janie's relationship problems. This later develops into a coming of age and a search for her own identity. After suffering from relationship to relationship, she finds Tea Cake. In the end, Tea Cake dies and Janie suddenly realizes that she can't define herself from another human being, which leads to the idea that everyone is an individual that must find themselves.
Their Eyes are Watching God is a prime example of how the opening chapter can be used to set the stage for the themes of the book. Hurston carefully thought out how to begin her piece, which made her story have that much more impact on the reader.
I've never read this book, but I think it's so funny that you wrote about this because when I had your dad for Lit/Comp 10, he put the first paragraph on his board for weeks and I basically had it memorized. It's so beautiful. It sounds more like a poem than the beginning of a novel.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, you make a lot of good observations in this post and it is clear that you love this book. I especially like what you said about the theme of dreams coming true. The opening chapter/paragraph is so perfect for introducing this theme. The only thing I would say is I wish you had elaborated a little more on the dreams mentioned in the second paragraph. Which come true and which are used against them? Great job, Alexis!
I think you did a great job on this, although I feel you could have gone more in-depth on how the themes echo throughout the rest of the novel. I really like your first paragraph, and that line as well! Like Ally, I remember when I had your dad for Lit/Comp 10 and that line was on the board- I always really liked it.
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