Abstract: Their Eyes Were Watching God, a master piece of Zora Neale Hurston, is one of the famous feminist novels in Afro-American literature. After being buried in oblivion for several decades, this work has become the classics. This thesis intends to analyze the theme of main character’s quest for feminine identity in Their Eyes Were Watching God from the perspective of postcolonial feminism. It falls into three parts. The first part is devoted to the brief introduction to the author, Zora Neale Hurston and the novel Their Eyes Were Watching God. The paper also discusses the definition of Post-colonial feminism as well as feminist theme in the novel, reflected in Janie’s three marriages. And at last the paper draws the conclusion that the pursuit of the status and feminine identity of black women who are under both racial and gender oppressions is still of great social significance.

Key words：post-colonialism; feminine identity; Zora Neale Hurston; postcolonial feminism

CONTENTS

Abstract

摘要

1.Introduction.1

  1.1 Zora Neale Hurston 

 1.2 Their Eyes Were Watching God 

2. Post-colonial Feminism Reflected in Their Eyes Were Watching God 1

  2.1 Definition of Post-colonial Feminism 

  2.2 Feminist Theme in Their Eyes Were Watching God

  2.3 Feminism Reflected in Janie’s Three Marriages 

    2.3.1 Janie’s Self-realization for the First Marriage 

    2.3.2 Janie’s Revolt for the Second Marriage

    2.3.3 Janie’s Final Metamorphoses for the Third Marriage

  2.4 Post-colonialist Theme in Their Eyes Were Watching God

  2.5 Post-colonialism Reflected in Three Phases                   

3．Conclusion.9

Bibliography.11

Acknowledgements12