Growing up is just part of life. Obstacles stand in our way and it is entirely up to us to overcome them. A buildungsroman can be described as a novel in which the protagonist grows psychologically as a person or as a "coming of age" story. Their Eyes Were Watching God written by Zora Neale Hurston is an exemplary example of a construction novel. In this novel, Janie, the main character, through three marriages, clearly illustrates the transition from childhood to adulthood by going through all kinds of obstacles. Janie understands not only the life happening in her environment, but also within herself. Janie Crawford from the novel Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston, is the perfect example of a buildungsroman as she shows internal growth after her experiences with her marriages to Logan Killicks, JoeSparks and Vergible Woods. Janie's marriage to Logan Killicks and the events leading up to it explain Janie's confusion and lack of maturity very well. At a very young age, Janie had already experienced a lack of identity. Having been raised by the Washburns for most of her childhood, Janie had little experience dealing with the outside world in regards to her race. “They all laughed really hard. But before I saw the picture I thought Ah was like the rest” (Hurston 9) shows her astonishment after finding out she was colored, which made it clear that this shelter life had an impact on her life . It is important to emphasize the importance of the symbolism of the pear tree because it represents an important stage in Janie's youth. The quote “Oh, to be a pear tree – any tree in flower!” With kissing bees singing about the beginning of the world! » highlights Janie's early development into a teenager...... middle of paper ......a new vision of Janie. She finally realized the path she took and why things happened the way they did. Her strong connection with God that she built over her years helped her overcome her problems and become a better person. Janie Crawford from Zora Neale Hurston's novel Their Eyes Were Watching God experiences exponential moral growth in this well-written example of a construction novel. At the beginning of the book, Janie begins to question her fate and why things are happening this way. It is only during her experiences with her husbands that she later realizes that this is simply part of life and that to reach one's horizon one must cross hills and valleys, and throughout this Along the way, we acquire valuable personal assets that make us stronger. , Zora Neale. Their eyes looked at God. New York: Perennial Library, 1990. Print.