Contents

Acknowledgements

Abstract

摘要

Chapter One Introduction-1

1.1 Introduction to Zora Neale Hurston-1

1.2 Introduction to Their Eyes Were Watching God-1

1.3 Literature Review-2

Chapter Two A Brief Introduction to the Initiation Novel-4

2.1 Definition-4

2.2 Origin and Development-4

2.3 Features-5

Chapter Three Analysis of the Novel from the Perspective of Characters-7

3.1 Initiation Guides-7

3.1.1 The Negative Initiation Guides-7

3.1.2 The Positive Initiation Guides-9

   3.2 A Crucial Initiation Companion-11

Chapter Four Analysis of the Novel from the Perspective of Structure-12

4.1 Basic Plot Pattern-12

4.2 Epiphany：an Important Phase in Initiation-12

4.2.1 Shocking Epiphany-13

4.2.2 Spontaneous Epiphany-13

Chapter Five Conclusion-15

References-16

Abstract

Zora Neale Hurston is one of most important writers in American literature in the 20th century. Alice Waller regards Hurston as her literary fore-mother. Since the 1970s, her masterpiece Their Eyes Were Watching God has became one of the classical works in American literature. In this novel, Zora Neale Hurston successfully shaped a shining and influential character who was named Janie. By analyzing three marriages of Janie, the novel shows how she breaks the traditional bondage, grows into a mature woman and eventually gains her own voice. Their Eyes Were Watching God expands the theme and horizon of black literature. It is a masterpiece of describing the growth of black women.

This thesis will discuss how the novel reveals the progress of protagonist’s self-growth, based on the common features of initiation novel. It is divided into five chapters. Chapter one introduces the author and the novel. Chapter two introduces the initiation novel and studies its origin, development and major features. Chapter three analyzes the protagonist’s growth from the perspective of characters, mainly covering the initiation guides and a crucial initiation companion in her life. Chapter four analyzes the novel from the perspective of its structure, mainly exploring the basic plot pattern and the epiphany manifested in the novel. Chapter five is the conclusion.

Key Words: initiation novel  Their Eyes Were Watching God  voice  self-growth