Introduction
Literature has been an indispensable part of human society since the advent of the alphabet. People have sought to express their most innate thoughts, feelings, and emotions through stories, both real and imagined. Female literature, which had lagged for centuries, emerged to paint a clear picture of life from a woman’s perspective. Female literature expanded exponentially in the 20th century, at the height of the feminist movement. Much of this literature decried the silencing of women’s voices in society, denying them the ability to document their plight, their struggles, and their dreams and aspirations.
This silencing is the central theme of the 1971 poem “Diving into the Wreck” by American feminist and poet Adrienne Rich. In the 1937 novel Their Eyes Were Watching God, author Zora Neale Hurston imagined the life of an African-American woman who sought to discover herself in a profoundly racist and patriarchal society. Both texts unravel the theme of women’s self-discovery and identity against the backdrop of societal expectations, with Rich’s poem emblematic of a modern woman’s autonomous exploration and Hurston’s novel depicting the complex journey of navigating societal constraints.
Poem Analysis
At face value, the poem Wreck Diving chronicles the preparations and actions involved in exploring a shipwreck beneath the sea’s surface. The narrative unfolds as the author meticulously details the tools essential for this underwater expedition – a camera, a knife, a rubber swimming suit, flippers, and a mask. However, beyond the literal depiction of the dive, a profound theme of self-discovery and identity emerges.
The gear worn by the author serves not merely as a means of protection and facilitation but also as a metaphorical armor, enabling her journey into the depths (Lindroth 75). The descent, described as slow, gradual, and daunting, mirrors the challenges of self-discovery. The act of submersion, coupled with the reliance on protective gear, becomes an allegory for the courage required to delve into one’s innermost self. In encountering the shipwreck, the author unearths both the remnants of a bygone vessel and the treasures it once carried, symbolizing the richness of self-revelation (Lindroth 74). Beyond the literal exploration of a wreck, the poem becomes a metaphor for the solitary yet transformative journey of women as they navigate societal expectations and venture into the depths of their true identities.
A closer look at the poem, however, reveals a deep feminist theme that aligns with what many women undergo in the process of self-discovery. Even before they begin to discover themselves, women’s roles and responsibilities in society are already determined and imposed on them. Rich writes in the first line, “First having read the book of myths” (Rich 12). This book of myths symbolizes the tales women are told from a young age about their position in society.
The author, however, seems to insinuate that they are myths and that women must discover for themselves the truths about their capabilities and what they can achieve beyond their presumed place in society. Self-discovery, however, takes courage and is often a lonely and scary affair. She writes, “I am doing this not like Cousteau with his assiduous team aboard the sun-flooded schooner but here alone” (Rich 12). The implication is that the exploration into the shipwreck, the ultimate discovery of the self, is a lonely endeavor that demands one discard the privilege of help or guidance.
Rich further writes, “First the air is blue, and then it is bluer and then green and then black. I am blacking out” (Rich 12). The journey towards self-discovery is often scary and overwhelming at first. However, as one learns to wade through the deep waters, it becomes easier and more bearable to the point that they can truly veer into their inner self and learn their truth, their purpose. Adrienne Rich uses the allegory of a diver exploring a shipwreck to alliterate the process of self-discovery for a woman in modern society.
Novel Analysis
Novelist Zora Neale Hurston explores the complex journey of self-discovery and identity, as well as the experiences of women in the early 20th century, through her novel Their Eyes Were Watching God. Janie Crawford, raised by her grandmother, embarks on a tumultuous path shaped by societal expectations and personal desires (Hurston et al. 27). Hurston presents Janie’s pursuit of stability through marriage, starting with the unromantic Logan Killicks, chosen by her grandmother for his wealth (Hurston et al. 27). This decision highlights the tension between personal desires and external expectations, as Janie seeks security but craves love and fulfillment.
Hurston, akin to Rich, delves into the theme of self-discovery, portraying Janie’s intricate journey that intertwines with her relationships with men. Janie’s trajectory takes a turn with Joe Starks, an ambitious figure who provides opulence but restricts her social life and individual freedom (Hurston et al. 104). The dynamics with Joe emphasize the limitations imposed on Janie by societal norms and gender roles. Despite material comfort, Janie’s discontent grows, and the strained relationship escalates into a public confrontation and abuse (Hurston et al. 104). The consequences of her marriage to Joe reflect the suffocation of her identity within societal expectations.
In a departure from traditional narratives, Hurston weaves a nonlinear story that reflects the complexity of Janie’s self-discovery. The character’s evolution involves a succession of marriages, each offering insights into her desires and societal constraints. Janie’s decision to marry Tea Cake defies societal norms, sparking disapproval in the town (Hurston et al. 312). Tea Cake, despite lacking wealth, represents genuine affection and equality, offering Janie a transformative experience (Fuller 7). The hurricane incident that results in Tea Cake’s tragic end serves as a poignant climax.
Janie’s acquittal by an all-white, all-male jury underscores the intersectionality of her identity, challenging societal norms and racial dynamics (Hurston et al. 312). Hurston’s portrayal of Janie’s self-discovery mirrors Rich’s exploration of women’s autonomy. Janie’s journey involves breaking free from societal expectations and finding fulfillment beyond conventional roles. The trope of Janie’s falling hair, as analyzed by Fuller (7), symbolizes her negotiation of cultural identity, race, and gender. The emphasis on Janie’s hair becomes a powerful metaphor for self-expression and cultural negotiation in a society marked by racial and gendered expectations (Fuller 7). Janie’s evolving hairstyles throughout the novel represent her journey toward authenticity and autonomy.
Hurston presents Janie’s final return to Eatonville as a triumphant moment of self-actualization. Janie, having navigated societal expectations and personal desires, discovers that true peace comes from within herself (Fuller 7). Her relationships with men, while significant, are no longer the sole determinants of her happiness. Janie’s story becomes a testament to the complexity of women’s experiences, challenging societal norms and paving the way for self-discovery and autonomy. In essence, Their Eyes Were Watching God stands as a narrative that transcends its time, addressing universal themes of selfhood, identity, and the evolving role of women in society.
Comparison
Both literary works, Their Eyes Were Watching God and Adrienne Rich’s poem, converge on themes of self-discovery, identity, and women’s experiences. Yet, they underscore the stark differences in societal norms between the eras in which they were written. Janie’s narrative unfolds in a time when a woman’s societal elevation predominantly occurred through marriage and courtship, emphasizing the significance of male companionship for fulfillment and stability (Hurston et al.). Janie’s self-discovery involves realizing that peace and happiness can be attained independently of a man, challenging the prevailing norms of her era.
Contrastingly, Rich’s poem portrays a woman equipped with tools such as a rubber-sinking suit, flippers, and a breathing mask, symbolizing the modern woman’s empowerment to explore the unknown alone (Fuller). These tools allude to the advancements, such as education and voting rights, that distinguish the modern woman’s journey. In Rich’s exploration, the emphasis is on women navigating the uncharted territory of self-discovery independently, offering a profound contrast to Janie’s journey, constrained by societal expectations and limited choices. The empowerment of the modern woman, absent in Janie’s tale, reflects the evolving landscape of women’s experiences across different historical contexts.
While Janie’s self-discovery is intricately woven with societal expectations and the role of men in her life, the modern woman in Rich’s poem exemplifies a more autonomous path. Janie’s realizations about love, power, and fulfillment are deeply entwined with her relationships with men, from the unromantic Logan Killicks to the ambitious but controlling Joe Starks and finally to the genuine love she finds with Tea Cake (Rich).
In contrast, the modern woman in Rich’s poem is metaphorically equipped to navigate the seas of self-discovery, symbolizing the agency and independence that women in her time possess. Furthermore, the societal constraints placed upon Janie, particularly in her early years, are evident in the limited choices available to her. Her grandmother’s aspirations for her to marry into stability reflect the societal norms that defined a woman’s worth in marriage. Rich’s poem, set in a different temporal and societal context, portrays a woman unencumbered by such restrictions, emphasizing the contemporary woman’s ability to chart her course independently.
Conclusion
In juxtaposing Adrienne Rich’s “Diving into the Wreck” and Zora Neale Hurston’s “Their Eyes Were Watching God,” a nuanced exploration of women’s self-discovery, identity, and societal experiences unfolds. Rich’s poem encapsulates the contemporary woman’s journey, symbolized by the diving apparatus, signifying autonomy and the ability to navigate uncharted territories independently. The underwater descent becomes an allegory for the courage required to pursue self-discovery, echoing the feminist theme of dismantling societal myths that confine women to predetermined roles.
Conversely, Hurston’s narrative, set in the early 20th century, weaves the intricate path of Janie Crawford, highlighting the societal norms and constraints that dictated a woman’s worth through marriage. Janie’s evolution, marked by tumultuous relationships and defiance of societal expectations, culminates in a triumphant return to Eatonville, where she discovers that true peace emanates from within. Together, these works reflect the evolving landscape of women’s experiences, from the constraints faced by Janie to the empowered autonomy epitomized in Rich’s contemporary portrayal, underscoring the timeless pursuit of selfhood and fulfillment amidst societal expectations.
Works Cited
Hurston, Zora Neale, et al. Their Eyes Were Watching God. The Arion Press, 2023.
Fuller, Molly. “The Trope of the Falling Hair in Zora Neale Hurston’s Their Eyes Were Watching God.” Atenea, vol. 35, no. 1–2, 2014. Gale Literature Resource Center.
Lindroth, James. “Tropes of Discovery: Adrienne Rich and ‘Diving into the Wreck.’” CEA Critic, vol. 47, no. 3, 1984, pp. 69–78. JSTOR.
Rich, Adrienne. Diving into the Wreck: Poems 1971/1972. Norton, 2013.