Self-fulfillment as a Woman by Ivy

Self-fulfillment as a Woman by Ivy - October 2025 Scholarship Essay

From years ago, when women had no rights, to now, where as a woman it can be sometimes hard to find who you truly are, Zora Neale Hurston's piece "Their Eyes Were Watching God" conveys this this meaning in the most sufficient and raw way possible. Hurston conveys the story of a young Janie. Longing for love and attention, but failing miserably throughout her first two marriages. Janie struggled deeply to find herself, and who she was. While others consistently judged her for it. Others would make jokes towards her about her failed marriages, and explain that she would never be successful in finding love. However, Janie did exactly the opposite.
On her journey to self fulfillment she met a man by the name of "Tea-Cake" They quickly fell in love, as they matched each others entire entity. Tea-Cake understood the mysterious woman Janie was. But loved her just as much if not more than himself. Janie cherished this love, like many of us who fall in love do. She did everything for Tea-Cake and loved him with every fiber in her being. Until her community suffered a devastating Hurricane. This is when Janie truly found out who she was. She was loving, she was kind, she was prosperous, even in the face of despair. Janie's husband, Tea-Cake dies shortly after. While deeply saddened, she eventually goes back to her hometown. Knowing she has already lived "to the horizon and back" I've learned from this book, that while on the path of self-discovery, we should cherish what we have earned and received from the world. Rather than pushing it away in hopes of discovering what the future holds. Reflection is so important in modern-day society where we continuously glance at the next event daily. While we should not continuously reminisce its important to remember where we have came from. Woman-hood consists of so so many different importance's. But understanding that not every ending means more is key to fulfilling yourself. I took this to heart. Janie's dedication to finding herself rather than listening to what others ignorantly discussed about her shows the womanly tendency to get back up even after falling. Janie's dedication ultimately led her to the best moments in her entire life. Which was a profound love with her soulmate, Tea-Cake. Rather than focusing on what others have to say on our way to the key of life, we must focus on how to get there.