In the society and world we live in, we all want to be accepted and feel like we belong. Zora Neale Hurston goes through trials and tribulations as a twentieth-century African American, such as slavery and feelings of belonging. Imagine every time you think you're finally happy with who you are and it turns out that wasn't the case. In Their Eyes They Looked at God Janie embarks on a journey to find her identity in which each of her three husbands plays an important role in discovering who she is. Zora Neale Hurston was born in 1891 to the parents of John Hurston and Lucy Hurston. According to Elaine J. Lawless "He began lying about his age when he landed in Baltimore and could only get free school if he was sixteen or younger." (Lawless, Elaine J.) Hurston often lied about things. She was not born in Eatonville when she was younger she and her family moved to Eatonville. Eatonville is a small, all-black community. They moved to Eatonville when his father became a preacher and then mayor. Hurston's mother died when she was fourteen. Lucy Zora's mother died. Hurston's dad John had moved on and she began living with her new stepmother Mattie Mogue. Hurston and her stepmother argued constantly, and she decided she needed to leave. Her father John made her work for the people of the neighborhood. None of this worked so well for Hurston who said that "I wanted books and school." (Lawless, Elaine J.) In Their Eyes Were Watching God lives under the guidance of her grandmother and in the story her grandmother is called Nanny. His grandmother is a slave for this white family she works for is the Washburn. They treated Janie like she was a slave. Janie began to question her identity... in the middle of the paper... in her hiding place. With Teacke, he finds the spiritual sense of love had been absent in his first two marriages. Janie finally finds the self-worth, happiness and love she needed all along, without worrying about how much money her latest husband has. (pg170) In Conclusion Zora Hurston's Novel Their Eyes Were Watching God Janie uses marriage to find her identity, but ultimately finds independence and self-worth on her own. I have elaborated on my thesis and shown what Janie went through to find independence, happiness and identity. Hurston is important to the American literary tradition by being the first African American to write books in his community. His novels tell interesting stories. People should continue to read his books because they are interesting and will keep you interesting and entertained .