Their Eyes Were Watching God Theme of Jealousy

Jealousy is an ugly beast affecting men, women, and communities at large. In the novel, jealousy ranges from simple envy to an obsessive desire to hurt or take revenge on the object of desire. This spite can manifest itself in bitter words aimed to injure, unfounded rumors, plain falsehoods, confinement, or physical violence. Often, jealousy is unvoiced but its presence can be fathomed by the bestial terms in which the narrator immerses the jealous character. The idea is that jealousy strips one of his reason and humanity, rendering him animalistic and base. Jealousy can lead to blind hate if allowed to fester long enough.

1. Many people are jealous of Janie throughout the novel. Of what specifically are they jealous?
2. Is there a relationship between jealousy and hatred? How does it function?
3. Does all of Janie’s husbands’ jealousy guard her? How is their jealousy different? Does jealousy necessarily come along with love? Is it evidence of love or the evidence of the opposite?

In their most jealous or base moments, characters are often depicted as animals to emphasize that jealousy is inhumane.