what motivates nanny in their eyes were watching god

3 min read 22-01-2025

what motivates nanny in their eyes were watching god

What Motivates Janie Crawford's Nanny in Their Eyes Were Watching God?

Introduction: Zora Neale Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God centers on Janie Crawford's journey of self-discovery. However, Janie's journey is heavily influenced by the choices and motivations of her Nanny, a complex character whose actions are driven by a potent mix of love, fear, and pragmatism rooted in the harsh realities of post-slavery America. This article explores the key motivations shaping Nanny's decisions, revealing the tragic consequences of her well-intentioned but ultimately limiting choices.

Nanny's Primary Motivation: Security and Survival

Nanny's overriding concern is ensuring Janie's survival and security, a preoccupation born from her own experiences as a formerly enslaved woman. The trauma of slavery and the persistent threat of racial violence deeply shaped her worldview. She believed that economic stability and social standing, however limited, offered the best protection for a Black woman in the Jim Crow South. This belief forms the cornerstone of her choices regarding Janie's marriages.

The Pursuit of Economic Security

Nanny's push for Janie to marry Logan Killicks stemmed from a desire to secure Janie's financial future. Logan, though not romantic, offered material stability – land and a life free from the immediate threat of poverty. Nanny prioritized economic security over romantic love, a choice that reflected the limited options available to Black women in her time.

Social Standing and Protection from Violence

Marriage to Logan also offered a degree of social acceptance and protection. Nanny's experiences taught her the dangers faced by unprotected Black women. Marriage, even a loveless one, provided a sense of security within a deeply unequal and hostile society. This pragmatic approach, though understandable, tragically stifled Janie's personal growth.

The Weight of Legacy and the Fear of Repetition

Nanny's own experiences with abusive relationships and the precariousness of Black womanhood heavily influenced her decision-making. She desperately wanted to shield Janie from the hardships she had endured. This desire led to a deeply ingrained fear of repeating past mistakes and a belief that economic stability was the surest path to protecting Janie from a life of suffering. Nanny's own life was a testament to the devastating impact of racism and poverty. She didn't want Janie to follow in her footsteps.

The Role of Racial Prejudice and Systemic Inequality

Nanny's choices were inextricably linked to the pervasive racism of her time. She internalized the societal limitations placed on Black women, believing that economic stability was the only viable pathway to a better life. This reality shaped her judgment and forced her into compromising Janie's desires for a more fulfilling personal life. The limited options available to Black women in the Jim Crow South directly influenced Nanny's choices.

The Conflict Between Love and Pragmatism

Despite her pragmatic choices, Nanny deeply loved Janie. However, her love manifested itself in a way that ultimately controlled Janie's choices and inadvertently inflicted emotional harm. Nanny's actions, born from love and a profound understanding of racial prejudice, ultimately demonstrated a failure to understand the importance of Janie's own agency and self-determination.

Nanny's Regret and Janie's Rebellion

As the novel progresses, hints of Nanny's regret are subtly revealed. Janie's rebellion against Nanny's arranged marriages reveals a clash between generations and a growing recognition of the limitations imposed by patriarchal societal norms. Nanny's well-intentioned choices, though rooted in love and protection, ultimately proved detrimental to Janie's journey towards self-discovery.

Conclusion: Nanny's motivations in Their Eyes Were Watching God are complex and multifaceted. While her actions were largely driven by a love for Janie and a desire to protect her from the hardships of racism and poverty, her pragmatism ultimately restricted Janie's personal growth and happiness. Nanny's story serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring impact of historical trauma and the tragic consequences of well-intentioned choices made within a deeply unequal society. Her story, interwoven with Janie's, provides a rich and nuanced exploration of the complexities of race, class, and gender in early 20th-century America.