Their Eyes Were Watching God: Crash Course Literature 301

[@lesslee]

This is perfect. One of my favorite passages: "Once set up her idols and built altars to them it was inevitable that she would worship there. It was inevitable that she should accept any inconsistency and cruelty from her deity as all good worshippers do from theirs. All gods who receive homage are cruel. All gods dispense suffering without reason. Otherwise they would not be worshipped. Through indiscriminate suffering men know fear and fear is the most divine emotion. It is the stones for altars and the beginning of wisdom. Half gods are worshipped in wine and flowers. Real gods require blood."

[@aoifeanonymous]

That's one of my favorite passages too! :-)

[@pronounsinmybio]

Triple YES!s for you madam and/or sir.

[@Necrikus]

A new literature crash course and just like every literature class I've taken, I haven't read the material. Let's do this!

[@hannah36912]

I'm not finished reading it, but let's do this!

[@Rabbitthat]

NO. Read the book first. Do not let someone else tell you what to think. Read introductions and reviews LAST

[@hannah36912]

+Pata Fea While normally I'd agree, I won't have time to finish reading it for another week. Also, I've never let anyone else tell me what to think or feel about anything. Reviews, introductions, commentary matter naught to me. I'm interested but they've never swayed me one way or the other.

[@Rabbitthat]

Hannah Wells You will be influenced whether you like it or not. You will read something and think "oh yes, this is what john was talking about when he said X and it means Y" you'll never know if you would have interpreted it differently. For example I didn't see the tree metaphor that way, and now I can see it his way and my own way, where as otherwise it would have looked sexual to me right from the beginning.

[@stormerkai5739]

True

[@jessesmoot1285]

I like that tea cake isn't portrayed as a total pure person because then it would feel more like a prince charming saving her then her own perseverance

[@heidiooohs]

This book brought me to tears when I finished it. I found a deep connection and meaning to the story and the symbolism involved. I think Janie also represents the constant dichotomy and pull she suffered as a black woman who never fully belonged to any "world" in her communities and the phallic symbols, such as the long braid she always wore, showed her strength of mind and resistance even if her journey was messy, flawed, and not without pain. I think anyone who feels like an outsider, stuck in-between worlds would understand to some degree what the main character is feeling/talking about. Feminism itself is not black and white, and no one person is without mistakes or contradictions. I think that makes this book even more human and brilliant imo.

[@OneiArMani18]

Beautifully articulated!!

[@superj1e2z6]

My Eyes are Watching John - The Novel

[@Ninjaslikelamas]

Puffs at a distance have every Nerdfighter’s wish on board. For some puffs come in with the video. For others it sails forever on the net, never out of sight, never landing until the Watcher turns their eyes away in resignation, our dreams mocked to death by Time. That is the life of Nerdfighters. Now, giant squids of anger forget all those things they don’t want to remember, and remember everything they don’t want to forget. The puff is the truth. Then they act and do things accordingly.

[@breadncheeseplz8713]

Haha, yeah:). Oh my gosh John would make such a great teacher !!!!!:)

[@AquariusRisen]

+Riley Horne That was beautiful. Hurston would be proud.

[@sharronking]

Zora's mind was before her time...

[@johnsnow9210]

Zora Neale Hurston: Living proof that "black don't crack" Erased 10 years from her age and no one caught on? YAAAAASSSSSS!

[@JamesLintonwriter]

One of the most interesting things about this book is how Joe Starks is portrayed. Although he is initially charismatic, he becomes progressively more of a white slave-master. He controls Janie's sexuality and behaviour and even tries to repress it. He controls where she can go, who she can see and how can she dress. But I wouldn't agree that Janie is passive. She emasculates Joe by insulting his manhood in front of his friends.

[@aoifeanonymous]

And dat hair.

[@AquariusRisen]

+Alex Durso Dat hair doe!

[@danigorddard2736]

Yes, and when she does he wastes away and dies (like he wasted his time in life). Janie is pretty passive up until that point I think, which is why it's​ such a turning point when she finally calls out his BS

[@jesusgutierrez7826]

wouldn't that be passive aggressive?

[@lillypea]

There is the line though that Janie tried countless times to fight back with her tongue as best she could but it never really amounted to anything. So I think that she did try to fight back as well as she could because she knew that when she did to her full abilities, Jody wouldn't be able to handle it. And he wasn't. He literally died because she 'cast his empty armor before the rest of the men and they had laughed at it'.

[@aliensinnoh1]

The free mule and his free mule doings were my favorite part of that book.

[@kaylavon-stein6176]

I read this book in my AP Literature class and I remember enjoying it quite a bit. We had a great substitute at the time who really had us discuss openly the ideas in the book.

[@DecayingReverie]

What fortuitous timing. I'm reading this book right now in my Studies in African American Literature class at Appalachian State University.

[@MissTam2000]

I visited Eatonville last week, and attended her father's church. I visited her home and other land marks. This came right on time!

[@ridelita5070]

I love the crash course videos, learning stuff I wouldn't have thought to pursue on my own, and I love the thoughtful commenters, sharing their thoughts respectfully. More than anything else, this community is what gives me hope for the future.

[@ariw88]

I remember reading this in high school and being thoroughly confused. This explained things a bit better.

[@linneanelsonvlogs]

I read this whole book in one day :). I loved it! I can totally understand why its a classic. I cannot wait to see what we read next!! This course is making my summer!

[@muchadoaboutliz]

There Eyes Were Watching God was one of the few actual novels I had to read in high school for class that I loved. I'm more of the mind to read it as the interpretation of Janie's emancipation, especially in regards to the headscarf and the power her hair has. I actually wrote an entire paper on that subject, and it was one of the best grades I've ever gotten on an essay. Such, such a good book.

[@drewkulele]

i sooo wish this had 2 parts, this book packs so much material into 193 pages

[@cboehm24]

This is one of my absolute favorite books--it's lyrical, beautiful and heartbreaking. Very much like Gatbsy in that way.

[@dhu192]

"Sexy pear trees," - John Green 2016.

[@trisymphony]

rabid pear tree sounds like a dark souls boss

[@cbh4166]

I wrote a paper on that sexy pear tree

[@dhu192]

Nice, can I read it?

[@m33p0]

it is a dark souls boss.

[@X.tlal.]

John Green is like wine. He gets better with age

[@doctormo]

There was a lot of internal thoughts about living down to expectations, settling for what one's locale provides and trying to live within one's desires that I really appreciated in this book. We English do not always give credit to American authors as much as we should and this is a good example of works worthy of reading. Also I like that it was shorter than a lot of texts.

[@curtisroberto3424]

I love a good book, that's why I watch these. Thanks cc!

[@jmiquelmb]

I think it's been very convenient for John Green to have a twin that can play as younger-him. But I think he also deserves to appear in the credits with the rest of the crue.

[@pronounsinmybio]

You do know that's just Hank in a mask, right? ;)

[@cd28b75]

Can I just say I love how John and Hank bring education to the world

[@daddyleon]

5:29 I have to say... I love that difference! That was pretty unique, and still is to some degree.

[@meh3617]

THIS WOULD'VE BEEN HELPFUL FOUR MONTHS AGO

[@quartz6902]

HAHAHAHAHA XDXCDDDD

[@madameblabla98]

same WHERE WAS THIS FOR MY JUNIOR PAPER

[@rileydavis1147]

THIS WAS MY SUMMER READING LAST YEAR

[@croconario6468]

Same

[@blankkzy502]

@@madameblabla98 junior??? i have to do this as a freshman

[@jamesonmoore1837]

Can y'all do Crash Course Film? I dunno how many people it would help, but it would totally rad.

[@XxBlondeGothxX]

Thank you! I have wanted to learn more about film making. :D

[@ridelita5070]

Several channels look at specific films in detail. My favorite channel is Nerdwriter, though he does other topics as well, like music and current politics. i really enjoyed his most recent video, about The Darjeeeling Limited.

[@academicned6236]

As long as it is about Art and World cinema, then yes please.

[@lok2676]

Every frame a painting is your answer

[@josecarlospadilla9883]

This needs to happen :)

[@LammBoppers]

I have missed this show so much, I cannot put into words the anticipation and appreciation I feel, thank you so much John Green ❤️

[@silvertimer]

My all time favorite novel is"Shogun". A slice of the culture in the 1600's of medieval Japan from a English captain of a Dutch ships point of view. I've read thousands of books and author James Clavell's knowledge of Japan is astounding. Not your usual kind of happy ending, but riveting in scope and understanding.

[@tutterbear98]

I had to read her academic work for one of my folklore classes and honestly I recommend it. It's mostly ethnographies, or studies on specific groups ie communities in the American South. It uses the differences in prose and spelling for dialogue in comparison to narration, showing her place as a observational participant (someone who is studying a group by participating in the group's activities) as well as her academic credentials, as skeptics to her academic background were likely. It's every part, kind of like "here's how people in my parts live, respect me as I tell you this information"

[@aperson22222]

So good to have John Green back.

[@rollingwaves1290]

I'm not American but this is one of my favourite books. Definitely lean more towards the empowerment reading.

[@XxBlondeGothxX]

I know everyone wants World History Season 3 but you must understand that John Green is a novelist. The first "educational" videos the vlogbrothers made were book club videos. And literature is important. Learning this stuff is important. I am a history major who wants to be a teacher and I love CC world history but literature is important too.

[@ihath]

Maybe when she says she has been to the horizons, she means she has turned her life into a work of art turning herself into a storyteller, therefore achieving the impossible of living beyond her death.

[@happypirate1000]

Omg that's deep. I love it!

[@phlyghstaff9965]

Thanks John, one of my favorite episodes to date!

[@Sarcasticron]

It's great to have you back, John! We've missed you.

[@Wysiwyg43]

Thank you, John! I'm glad you're back piqueing my interest once again for literature long forgotten. When I read the book 30 odd years ago, I just thought of it as a tragedy and haven't thought about it since. I'm fifty now, so I'm going to read it again (with mature understanding) for pleasure and not as a college assignment.

[@Victoria-yo6pm]

I would love to see an episode about As I Lay Dying. I love that book

[@sr7701]

Octavia Butler!!!! Any book! Every book! Pleeeeeese!

[@monicamoon9785]

this explains john's recent video about horizon

[@AquariusRisen]

Indeed it does!

[@waltermcmain3461]

Read Their Eyes Were Watching God for AP English my senior year of highschool, the flood made me cry a lil bit I gotta say.

[@vanessav8360]

Great Video! I really enjoyed reading the book this week and I wouldn't have discovered it without this season of crash course literature.

[@adamsterdam9049]

CC mythology please!

[@vicmartone]

second that! one season for each!

[@michaelah1001]

I will be extremely disappointed if they do not do this

[@supershinigami1]

OMG WHAT A GREAT IDEA!!!!! ALL OF THEM I HOPE!!!

[@daddyleon]

supershinigami1 xD Hype!

[@supershinigami1]

daddyleon YES!!!

[@Soundole]

This is one of my favourite shows on KZbin. Excellent discussion as always!

[@keviannaaa]

I loved this book! Powerful message from a black woman!

[@Micahlee_19]

I just finished listening to this on audiobook. It was a beautiful story! I had no idea Zoa Neal Hurston was such an inspiring person. I'm so happy CCLit is back!!

[@cwk9492]

One of my favorite books from high school, and watching this made me realize I don't remember it at all...time to read it again!

[@happypirate1000]

I love this book!! Thanks for discussing it on Crash Course.

[@CrumpArt]

Just finished reading this last night. I loved it so much that I did two extra gym sessions and read it while on the stationary bike so I could justify all my extra reading time.

[@izzleinatizzle]

Thank you!! There is so little material out here on this novel in particular; I would know, because it was the subject of my major essay for Contemporary American Lit last semester!!

[@Emapluscjj]

I read this book this past year and I really enjoyed it

[@Daizeallen]

I chose to read this book my sophomore year for our book club and it was absolutely life changing. Reading it as a young back girl at that time of my life was so important

[@dagamerking]

Who else is glad John's back. It wasn't the same without you.

[@chasedupthesky]

I read this in high school junior year english, loved every word!

[@calebkinzonzi4962]

BROTHER you are not only informative, you have a wit that I can say is very impressive.

[@bethrenalds180]

You are a rockstar! Just found your site and as a tutor, your summaries are awesome! Thanks for this one.

[@Noxshus]

I literally gasped when I got back from vacation and saw a new CC: Literature run. Leeeeeet's Gooooooo!

[@benaaronmusic]

YAHOOO!!!

[@brij5778]

I know, I missed crash course literature

[@Rabbitthat]

Coincidentally, I just read this! It became clear as I was reading it it was going to be one of my favourite books of all time, along with Crime and Punishment.. it's a frigging masterpiece. I'm going to try to read everything she ever wrote

[@crazykenna]

She lived in Fort Pierce, Florida! They named a library after her! There's an historical walk based on the places she lived and worked while she lived there! It's called the Dust Tracks Heritage Trail!

[@jaimie00]

This was the first assigned book that I ever read and enjoyed. It's always a bit strange remembering how my younger self experienced and understood things, and re-examining those things as an adult.

[@CodeDarkBlue]

When my dad dies, he told us he wants us to write "THIS MAN DIED OF RABIES" on his tombstone (no name or anythin else lol)

[@gonzesse1437]

Lol

[@maskyclockwork]

Legend

[@hrideenandita5137]

Good to see John Green again..

[@TunkPotterSV]

Nice to see you back John Green!

[@purestress2597]

Oh wow. I have this to read for summer, and I actually just started to go through my books today.

[@omihackingosh]

Love how his video on monday was about the horizon and then he discusses the symbolism of the horizon in this CrashCourse video.

[@Laurenmcd202]

Bless you John, this is one of five of my AP reading books.

[@Wowyana]

One of my favorite books!

[@xwatch985]

My favorite crash course channel

[@PrivacyKingdoms]

as i was reading this book for this episode, i was wondering why there was so much vernacular and stories of hanging out and messing around in eatonville and the 'glades, but john changed my perspective. i should probably appreciate the culture documented throughout all of the anecdotes of the book, since very few of Hurston's contemporaries made an initiative to do so.

[@justhungry67]

Nice to see John back!

[@Mattteus]

5:54 whoa, didn't expect to see someone I see often on this show. (and the 'arrested for trying to open his own gate' is referring to when he was arrested for trying to get into his own house)

[@doctorx3]

Aaah, and now I get the inspiration for your video essay about staring out at the Great Lakes. I need to visit Marquette and Copper Harbor again, also the shipwreck museum at Whitefish Point. Lake Superior is a truly haunting place where you feel both your own mortality and the immensity of possibility.

[@UninspiredFilm5]

Held off on the video until I finished reading this book. Beautiful read.

[@KevintheBooth]

Horizon and back == Went where I wanted to (the horizon that drew her to go) and is done with it. I feel it's just that simple.

[@Saml3838]

Thrilled you're back John

[@salmon9950]

Yaaaaas so happy this exists! John Green is awesome!

[@ethanturrano5599]

Gotta love John Green

[@alyhaugen9281]

I really like how you discussed the author's importance to a book at the beginning of this video. I read Zeitoun for my English class this past year (right after TEWWG) and most of our class didn't find out about Zeitoun's story in recent years(being arrested for attempted murder of his ex-wife) and we had a few class discussions about whether or not the book should be taught and whether students should know what happened to him afterward.

[@icecold1805]

Ok so, the idea of empowering the reading by pointing out we as we read give the book meaning reminds me of when I study communication theory, and the debates against the communication model of Pierce by Humberto Eco. He empowered the receptor to give him the power to give the communication meaning as much as the emmiter did.

[@felixdawson8497]

Can you do Art History? The Renaissance, Bauhaus, post-modernism, etc., etc..

[@itsameaffi]

They have a channel on that called 'The Art Assignment'.

[@Letidelp]

Oh! I've missed you, [John Green] from the past!! Also you, John Green from the present.

[@Jazzyjess49]

Thans for this John. I think I might try to read the book again. That's is so much in the story, and sounds like it deserves another try. I might get it through audio books.(as was suggested last week) It should be easier to understand if I don't have to decipher the language while understanding the story. I live in the south so have been privledged to hear some of the same language, so I'm hoping I'll understand it. Thanks again.Jessica

[@djxavier962]

I'm too poor as a student to help you guys but I wanna tell you john and your team my most sincere thanks for hours of FUN. Yes FUN, I'm weird that way but I enjoyed every single course you gave on crash course and for that. thank you. Also I would love to see your book recommendations best regards

[@kamq4547]

so much insight into a book I'll never read gotta love crash course

[@latashathomas4239]

One of my favorite books.

[@mrnarason]

Can't wait for new literature videos!

[@TrentR42]

So very excited that John is back. I like all the courses, but Literature Season 1 is the first one I saw and the first one I loved.

[@SwitchFeathers]

Glad to see season 3 starting, I just finished a binge-course of Season 1 and 2. I'm wondering, will Lovecraft, Poe and/or Pratchett ever get covered? Some of my favorite authors and some great worldviews. I especially love the similarities and contrasts between Lovecraft and Pratchett and I think a back-to-back episodes based on the similarities between their works, but the vastly, _vastly_ different outlooks on life.

[@PriscillaB2015_]

John Green, please never stop doing crash course! You're the reason I subscribed 😄😄

[@dallasmartinfark]

Sooooo glad this is back!

[@SoFrolushesTV]

read this book years ago. It was a good read.

[@Freffs]

UGH loving that pear tree talk!

[@mihirp9546]

Yay John is back and Yay this book is part of my summer reading and they made a crash course video for it just in time

[@Squalidarity]

Hi I'm John Underpuff and welcome to CrashPuff UnderCourse!

[@fabiangonzalez6853]

We just finish this book in my English 3 class.

[@anayaallen356]

I'm a junior in high school and my AP English Language Arts class just finished this novel. I believe that this book is written to exemplify feminist love vs. patriarchal love. I think it embodies how women ultimately overcome male dominance and begin to find their voice in relationships. I also think it is vital to highlight the symbols that are brought up throughout the novel. A symbol that I found intriguing was the bees and hints to trees and buds. I think that this is important to evaluate because in essence this novel shows how over time Janie begins to find herself and transition from a woman who is held down by male domination to a woman who is given the experience of true equality within a relationship. She finds that in Teacake. Over all I enjoyed the book and is one of the best novels I have read.

[@bobcrachet1962]

What I think is so grate is that she never gets what she wants it's the point she tricks her self into thinking that she has found happiness when in reality she has not , at the start she mocks men's lack of moving to there dreams but she is mocking Jamie and her gender for needing to try to achieve the goals even if they never will. The story shows us the fatality of all human effort

[@samseidel9917]

I can't wait for Lord of the Flies!

[@caboose.20]

oh that is, without a doubt, my favorite book I had to read in English class!

[@dagamerking]

Good book. Didn't like it. I'm more of Animal Farm guy.

[@GossipSweetz]

It was interesting but the 5 pages it took for William Golding to describe the tide coming in or the sun coming up was taxing

[@rcutler9]

John is certainly not excited

[@GossipSweetz]

rcutler9 I can see why. The book really has no point other than to show the savage and awful side of humanity

[@Robbie1308]

I'm so happy this is back 🤗

[@TheChuckers123]

Thank you so much for this video!