Chapters 15-17 Student Generated Questions for Their Eyes Were Watching God

Chapter 15 Saylor
1. Who is the chunky girl Nunkie?
2. Why does Janie get jealous?
3. Where does the find tea cake and Nunkie?
1. Does Janie start to doubt Tea Cake?
2. Are some of Janies fears coming true?
3. Should Janie think about leaving yet?

Their Eyes Were Watching God -Chapter 16

1. Why would a black/white woman (or any colored folk) judge another based on the color of their skin?
-They’re not accepted by whites

-Do the blacks reject the lighter blacks because of their mixed blood? Why?

2. What does Ms. Turner hope to gain by “lighten[ing] up the race”? (140).


3. What makes others so sure that we will agree with their opinions? Is it narcissism? Hope? Insecurity? Stupidity?

4. What keeps us from speaking their minds to people like Ms. Turner who is overbearing and a boar?

5. Is there a “class system” of skin color for blacks?

6. “Half gods are worshiped in wine and flowers real gods require blood” (145). What does this symbolize for Ms. Turner

7. Are blacks intimidated by half-white/Negroes? Why?

Chapter 16 - Gabby

1. On page 140 in the 2nd paragraph it says, “To her way of thinking all these things set her aside from Negros.” Who is this they’re talking about and what “things”?

2. What does Mrs. Turner mean when she says she couldn’t see herself married to such a black man?

3. Why does Mrs. Turner assume that Tea Cake must have had a lot of money when they got married?

4. How does Mrs. Turner feel about black people? Why is it ironic?

5. Think of yourself as Mrs. Turner, would you be friends with someone who’s husband or boyfriend made fun of you behind your back the way Tea Cake did to Mrs. Turner?

6. Do you think Tea Cake has a reason to hate Mrs. Turner?