Their Eyes Were Watching God
Chapter 3 Study Questions
12/11 English III Honors
1. What is the assumption that Janie makes about marriage to suppress her own fears of marrying Logan Killicks?
2. How does Mrs. Washburn support Janie’s wedding?
3. What does Nanny initially believe about Janie, according to Pheoby?
4. Why does Janie actually come to talk to Nanny?
5. How do Janie’s values differ from Nanny’s where marriage is concerned?
6. Name at least two reasons why Janey doesn’t like Logan.
7. What does “mien” mean as it is used at the beginning of the second to the last paragraph of the chapter?
8. What clues indicate that Nanny knows Janie’s marriage is not right?
9. How does Janie measure time? What does her way of doing it tell you about her?
10. Why is it significant that Janie stands around the gate as she waits for something new to happen to her?
11. What is Janie’s dream that has died, allowing her to become a woman?
Discuss
1. What does this chapter show about Janie’s inside qualities? How does she respond to the challenge of going through with something that she is opposed to – like marrying Logan Killicks?
2. What specific language in this chapter shows how Janie’s heart and mind are based in nature? What values come from her perspective?
3. Choose two or three examples of language or imagery from this chapter that you particularly like and say how you respond to it.
Write down the opening sentences of each chapter you’ve read so far. How does the opening sentence create meaning for the particular chapter. Look at the imagery – what does Hurston use these particular images?
Writing
Write Chapter 3 from the perspective of another of the characters – Pheoby, Logan Killicks, the porch sitters. Use as many details as possible.