Chapter 18 of the novel “Their Eyes Have been Watching God” by Zora Neale Hurston is a pivotal second within the story, the place the protagonist, Janie Crawford, should confront her previous and make a life-changing determination.
After the dying of her third husband, Tea Cake, Janie returns to her hometown of Eatonville, Florida. She is met with judgment and criticism from the neighborhood, who disapprove of her decisions and life-style. Janie should grapple with the burden of her experiences and resolve whether or not to adapt to societal expectations or forge her personal path.