American Dream in "Their Eyes Were Watching God"

In the book, "Their Eyes Were Watching God,"by Zora Neale Hurston, the ideal of the American Dream is present in the way that Janie's life develops throughout the book.  Her friend and guardian, Nanny, longs for her to be married.  After months of searching for a candidate for marriage, she finds Logan Killicks, and Janie and Logan get married.  Janie is feeling the pressure from society to be in love with Logan.  The narrator says, "Yes, she would love Logan after they were married.  She could see now way for it to come about, but Nanny and the old folks had said it, so it must be so.  Husbands and wives always loved each other, and that was what marriage meant.  It was just so."  This perspective on marriage portrays the idea that the standard marriage instantly transforms a person's life into perfection.  However, Janie realizes that love takes work, and she is willing to strive for love while developing other aspects of her life that characterize the American Dream.

Through Americans' progression in their lives and progress towards reaching the American Dream, many of them uncovered truths about themselves that were unknown to them before, such as a passion, value, belief, or goal.  Janie is pursuing the dream that is proposed to her by Nannie.  She describes it by saying, "Heah you is wid de onliest organ in town, amongst colored folks, in yo' parlor.  Got a house bought and paid for and sixty acres uh land right on de big road and...Lawd have mussy!  Dat's de very prong all us black women gets hung on.  Dis love!  Dat's just whut's got us pullin' and uh haulin' and sweatin' and doin' from can't see in de mornin' till can't see at night."  Nannie is telling Janie how much she and other colored folks wish to have a husband, a house, and land.  She says that they are willing to work, haul, and sweat to obtain this life, and for them, this is the American Dream.  Janie is on her way to realizing this American Dream when she gets married, but once Nannie dies, Janie begins to reconsider what her own dreams are.  With her support gone, Janie turns to nature to ponder her duty in life and stands outside listening for sources of direction.  As she stands there, the narrator says, "She knew now that marriage did not make love.  Janie's first dream was dead, so she became a woman."  The author is using Janie as an example to show that even if Americans think they know how their life will turn out and have one life dream, their plan and path can always change.  It is through developing their morals, beliefs, goals, and striving for success that Americans realize their true calling and in life.