Journal #8- Novel/Pastiche Titles

1.      I think that Zora Neale Hurston chose the title she did to emphasize one of her primary messages throughout the novel, as well as letting the reader identify with the culture.  I think that the fact that she chose the word "God" to be in her title shows that she wants to display the importance of God in the setting of her novel.  To the people of Eatonville and even those down in the Everglades, God is an important part of their lives.  Although they might not be devout, and go to church every Sunday it is clear that God is someone they turn to in times of need.  This can be clearly seen during the hurricane scene where Hurston quotes her title saying, "They seemed to be staring at the dark, but their eyes were watching God."  Again, I also think that her title relates back to Hurston's view on power.  The fact that the townsfolks' eyes were watching God resembles the relationship between a parent and child.  They seem to be looking to God for an answer, for understanding, realizing that now any power thought to be significant on Earth by men, pales in comparison to the power of God.
2.      An alternative title that Hurston could have used would have been "The Burden of Dreams".  I think that this title would have been more effective in establishing one of Hurston's major themes throughout the story.  The novel fixates around Janie and follows her journey to achieving her dream of finding love, and obtaining freedom.  This proves to be a struggle for Janie who either achieves one or the other, but never both.  I think that this title would also get the reader thinking abstractly, and also raise their curiosity seeing as dreams are typically seen in a positive manner, not as a negative burden.
3.      I have chose "A Call for Change" as my pastiche title.  I chose this title because it relates back to the main source of conflict throughout the novel.  In my pastiche the protagonist, Darryl, has always followed the same path.  He ran from his problems during times of adversity and washed his sorrows away in the form of alcohol.  Throughout the story he remembers his past decisions and becomes filled with remorse and regret.  In the end he vows to change his ways in order to move on in his life and not remain stuck on one aspect of it for the remainder of his life.